Hoy intended the class to work Manchester, Rochdale, Oldham and Bury services where the Aspinall 2-4-2T Class 5 struggled with the steeper gradients and heavier trains. They were somewhat of an evolutionary design, due to their larger size with six-coupled wheels and the Belpaire firebox used on the Class 7 High Flyers and Coal engine 0-8-0 types.[2]
Service
On introduction in 1903 they were allocated to Liverpool to Southport workings to cover a temporary shortage of electric stock. They were subsequently placed on their intended routes where they were initially successful,[2] but problems shortly emerged. Their heavy weight damaged track and their long rigid wheelbase put pressure on rails in sharply-curved sidings. The centre wheels had their flanges removed which eased some issues but increased the risk of derailment on slightly misaligned track and most notably at junctions. This is because flangeless driving wheels work better on smaller wheels with short spacing. Their side tanks tended to leak badly and they gained a reputation for poor stopping ability.[3]
When George Hughes upgraded to the Class 5 2-4-2T with superheaters they were able to replace the Class 26 and the latter were removed from passenger services in 1913. They were then placed on banking and shunting duties with water pickup equipment and coal rail removed for increased visibility. They performed poorly with their 5ft 8in (1.73m) driving wheels and flangeless centre wheels.[3]
One was withdrawn in 1920 with irreparably cracked frames. Three (Nos 202, 404 and 125) were withdrawn in 1923 before being allocated an LMS number. Ultimately only Nos. 11704 and 11711 carried their LMS number in service and all members of the class were withdrawn by 1926.[5] All were scrapped by 1928.
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