Hughes/Fowler Class 5F "Crab"
LMS Class 5F Crab no. 13065 (2765/42765) at Buckley Wells. The number represents the original numbering sequence of the locomotives
kitmasterbloke, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Technical Data
No. Built: 245
Introduced: 1926
Wheel arrangement: 2-6-0
Prior to the Grouping, the Caledonian Railway had designed a 2-6-0 mixed traffic engine, which George Hughes decided had potential for use by the LMS. However, the restrictive loading gauge of the former Midland lines meant that inclining the cylinders was a necessity, and the final design had extremely inclined cylinders, which coupled with a raised running plate at the front end, made the locomotive somewhat distinctive. Hughes decided on a parallel Belpaire boiler for the locomotive pressurised to no more than 180 lb per sq inch, which meant that the cylinders had dimensions of 21 inches diameter by 26 inches of stroke, using long lap Walschaerts valve gear. This arrangement would result in the nickname "Land Crabs" or just "Crabs".
Hughes retired before the locomotives were finished, and the designs ended up with Henry Fowler, who promptly proceeded to apply Derby engineering principles to the design, somewhat to the detriment of the original Horwich design. The boiler design was retained, only because it was too late to get a standard Derby boiler onto the engine, but a lot of the other parts became pure Derby. Worst of all, the locomotives were given standard Derby tenders which were narrower than the locomotive, spoiling the lines of the original design. These tenders were to remain with the locomotives throughout their working lives.
Although intended as a freight engine, the "Crabs" unofficially became a mixed traffic engine, so could occasionally be found on passenger services. By the end of their career, British Railway officially recognised them as such, giving them the power classification of 5P5F. They were considered to be a successful design and were the only non-Derby inspired design of the Fowler era.
The class was renumbered in 1934 to become numbers 2700-2944, with 40000 being added to these numbers upon nationalisation.
Original Number | Built at | Year of Building |
13000-13006 | Horwich | 1926 |
13007-13029 | Horwich | 1927 |
13030-13035 | Crewe | 1926 |
13036-13099 | Crewe | 1927 |
13100-13107 | Crewe | 1928 |
13108-13109 | Crewe | 1929 |
13110-13129 | Horwich | 1929 |
13130-13149 | Horwich | 1930 |
13150-13224 | Crewe | 1930 |
13225-13234 | Crewe | 1931 |
13235-13244 | Crewe | 1932 |
Preservation
Three examples are preserved: numbers 2700 (A static exhibit at the National Railway Museum, and currently liveried into LMS Crimson as 13000 (4)2765/13065 (currently awaiting on overhaul at the East Lancashire Railway) & 2859 (currently awaiting restoration, but with its tender and boiler scrapped, it could be quite some time - if ever - before it is operational again).