LMS Fowler Dock Tank

LMS 2F Fowler Dock Tank
LMS Fowler Dock Tank 47165 at Fleetwood Docks, Lancashire, on 6 August 1958
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Sir Henry Fowler Builder LMS Derby Works Build date 1928–1929 Total produced 10
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-6-0T  • UIC C n2tG Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Driver dia. 3 ft 11 in (1.194 m) Minimum curve 2+1⁄2 chains (160 ft; 50 m) Wheelbase 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) Length 27 ft 6 in (8.38 m) Loco weight 43.6 long tons (44.3 t; 48.8 short tons) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 1.5 long tons (1.5 t; 1.7 short tons) Water cap. 1,000 imp gal (4,500 L; 1,200 US gal) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 14.5 sq ft (1.35 m2) Boiler LMS type G5 Boiler pressure 160 lbf/in2 (1.10 MPa) saturated Heating surface: ​  • Firebox 85 sq ft (7.9 m2)  • Tubes 923 sq ft (85.7 m2) Superheater None Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 17 in × 22 in (432 mm × 559 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 18,400 lbf (81.85 kN)
Career Operators London, Midland and Scottish Railway British Railways Power class 2F Numbers LMS: 11270–11279 1934: 7100–7109 1939: 7160–7169 BR: 47160-47169 Withdrawn 1959–1964 Disposition All scrapped

The London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Fowler Dock Tank was an 0-6-0T steam locomotive. Designed for shunting in docks, it had a short wheelbase in order for it to readily negotiate tight curves. The locomotives spent their entire lives painted in plain black.

The LMS were responsible for operating lines on a number of docks which, due to space constraints, contained curves considerably sharper than most other places, thus most dock tanks had only four coupled (i.e. driving) wheels in order to allow them to negotiate the tight curves.

With the growth in freight a more powerful engine was required which resulted in this design by Sir Henry Fowler for an 0-6-0T locomotive with a 9-foot-6-inch (2.90 m) wheelbase which, aided by the use of Cartazzi self-centring axleboxes on the rear axle, allowed the loco to negotiate curves of 2½ chains.^[1]

Ten of these simple sturdy locomotives were built on Lot 61 in 1928 and 1929 by Derby Works although, unusually for dock tanks they incorporated outside cylinders, these normally being considered too dangerous in an area where people were working close to the rapidly moving rods.^[1] Other than this they were typical of most dock tanks with simple slide valves and oval buffers.

They were initially numbered 11270–11279, renumbered under the LMS 1933 renumbering scheme to 7100–7109, and renumbered again in 1939 to 7160–7169. Despite their small quantity, the LMS considered them standard locomotives. After nationalisation in 1948, BR added 40000 to their numbers making them 47160–47169, and allocated 5 of the 10 to Scottish depots,^[1] where they operated on branch lines as well as docks.

Withdrawals took place between 1959 and 1964 with none surviving into preservation.

• Rowledge, J.W.P. (1975). Engines of the LMS built 1923–51. Oxford: Oxford Publishing Company. ISBN 0-902888-59-5.