Midland Railway 2000 Class
PowertypeSteam
DesignerRichard Deeley
BuilderDerby Works
Builddate1907
Totalproduction40
Whytetype0-6-4T
UicclassC2′ n2t
Driverdiameter5 ft 7 in (1,702 mm)
Trailingdiameter3 ft 1 in (940 mm)
Length40 ft 4+1⁄2 in (12.31 m)
FueltypeCoal
Watercap2,240 imp gal (10,200 L)
BoilerMR type H1
CylindercountTwo, inside
Cylindersize18+1⁄2 by 26 in (470 by 660 mm)
Boilerpressure175 psi (1.21 MPa)
Tractiveeffort19,756 lbf (87.88 kN)
Operator
NicknamesFlatiron
PowerclassLMS: 3P
Fleetnumbers2000–2039
Withdrawndate1935–1938
DispositionAll scrapped

The Midland Railway 2000 Class was a class of 40 0-6-4T steam locomotives designed by Richard Deeley. They were known as "flatirons" or "hole-in-the-wall tanks" because of their distinctive shape; their side tanks extended to the front of the smokebox and they had a distinct cut-out in the side tanks to access the motion. They were numbered 2000–2039.

Development

They were originally developed from 0-4-4T types designed for commuter work with an extra set of driving wheels. Acceleration and stability were poor however, and after one derailed they were relegated to freight work. All were rebuilt with Belpaire fireboxes and superheaters between 1920 and 1926.[1] The superheated engines had slightly longer smokeboxes which extended slightly in front of the side tanks.

Ownership change

The locomotives passed to the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) in 1923. They kept their Midland Railway numbers and the LMS gave them the power classification 3P.

Accidents and incidents

The class were rough riders at speed. They were prone to oscillate on poor track, which led to a number of derailments.

  • In June 1928, locomotive No. 2015 was hauling a mail train that was derailed at Swinderby, Lincolnshire.[2]
  • In August 1928, locomotive No. 2029 was hauling a train that was derailed at Ashton under Hill, Worcestershire.[2]
  • On 25 February 1935, locomotive No. 2023 was hauling a passenger train that was derailed at Ashton under Hill. One person was killed.[2]
  • In 1935, locomotive No. 2011 was hauling a train that was derailed at Moira, Leicestershire.[2]

Withdrawal

All were withdrawn between 1935 and 1938. The standard parts would have mostly been used for spares rather than scrap. None were preserved.

Table of withdrawals[3]
YearNumber in
service at
start of year
Number
withdrawn
Locomotive numbers
19354082007/10–11/20–22/30/38
193632172004–06/08–09/13–16/19/26–27/31/33/35–37
193715132000–03/17–18/23–25/28–29/34/39
1938222012, 2032

References

Notes
  1. ^ Casserley, H.C. & Johnston, S.W. (1966). Locomotives at the Grouping. Vol. 3, LMS. Ian Allan. p. 38.
  2. ^ Earnshaw, Alan (1990). Trains in Trouble: Vol. 6. Penryn: Atlantic Books. p. 17. ISBN 0-906899-37-0.
  3. ^ Baxter (1982a), p. 176.
Bibliography
  • Essery, Bob & Jenkinson, David (1988). An Illustrated Review of Midland Locomotives. Vol. 3 - Tank Engines. Wild Swan Publications. ISBN 0-906867-66-5.