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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 8, Issue 1 (May 1, 1933)

Famous Locomotives of the L.M. and S

Famous Locomotives of the L.M. and S.

The total steam locomotive stock of the L.M. and S. Railway is actually 9,060. With the exception of the unified State railway system of Germany, which comprises a number of State lines under one general direction, the L.M. and S. is by far the largest locomotive owner in the whole world.

The various types of steam locomotives in daily use comprise giant machines like the “Royal Scot,” powerful “Garratt” articulated freight engines; and many smaller designs of locomotive for both passenger and freight haulage. The “Royal Scot” class consists of three cylinder engines having a working pressure of 2501b. to the sq. in. Because of the enormous size of the boiler, the chimney and dome have had to be pared down almost to vanishing point.

Thirty-three examples of the “Garratt” articulated locomotive are found on the L.M. and S.—all of them in service on the Midland division of the line. A boiler of large capacity is carried on a girder frame, which, in turn is mounted on two 2—6—0 locomotive chassis, arranged back to back. The result is to give an engine with a tractive capacity equal to that of two ordinary freight locomotives, yet supplied with steam from one boiler and manned by one crew.

Among other L.M. and S. engines may be noted the standard 2—6—4 tank locomotive for short passenger journeys; the 2—6—2 tank engine for suburban haulage; and the standard 0—8—0 freight locomotive, employed so largely for working over the extremely steep gradients of Lancashire and Yorkshire. All these engines represent British locomotive practice at its best, and all are peculiarly adapted for the special services they are called upon to perform.