Present your case
If there’s a prototype that you think needs to be offered ready-to-run, here’s the place to voice your opinion…
Locomotive: LTSR/LMS Whitelegg Class 3P 4‑4‑2T ‘Tilbury Tank’ Gauge: ‘OO’ Proposed by: Albert Molyneaux
What is it?
Designed originally by Thomas Whitelegg for the London Tilbury and Southend Railway in the 1890s, a dozen of these 4‑4‑2Ts were rebuilt between 1905‑11 with larger boilers. Subsequently nicknamed ‘Tilbury Tanks’, all were fitted with Westinghouse brake gear for use on the intensive suburban passenger services on the LTSR route.
All 12 rebuilt locomotives were painted in an ornate lined green livery and named after notable locations along the LTSR network. After proving to be very capable machines, a handful more examples were built new in 1909, which were also named. However, when the Tilbury line was acquired by the Midland Railway in 1912, the 4‑4‑2Ts were renumbered as Nos. 2135‑50, losing their names in the process.
Following the Grouping, yet more examples were built by the LMS between 1923‑30, creating a grand total of 51 locomotives. British Railways inherited the fleet (Nos. 41928‑78) and withdrawals began in 1951, although several lasted until the end of the decade.
What would make it viable?
With few significant modifications over the various batches, tooling costs could be kept to a minimum, although the original 1890s versions could also be considered, using the same chassis.
Although the prototypes didn’t stray too far from LTSR lines in their early days, the arrival of more powerful tank locomotives, such as Stanier’s ‘4P’ 2‑6‑4T, led to some of the ‘Tilbury Tanks’ being redeployed to other areas of the LMS/BR London Midland Region, most notably to branch lines in the East Midlands, such as the Uppingham branch and the Stamford area.
There’s a good choice of liveries to consider too, beginning with the exquisite lined green LTSR scheme, as well as MR, LMS and BR schemes (with BRITISH RAILWAYS lettering and early crest versions). No. 80
Thundersley (BR No. 41966) was preserved in the mid-1950s, actually running on BR metals in fully lined LTSR livery in 1956, which would make for a popular version.
Other than Hornby’s Adams ‘Radial’ tanks, the 4‑4‑2T is seriously under-represented in the realms of RTR ‘OO’, yet it would be ideal for a branch line layout.
Can I see a real one?
Yes, No. 80 Thundersley has been preserved and is currently on static display at Bressingham Steam Museum, Norfolk.
Have your say
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How to join in
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