LMS Hughes Crab

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LMS Hughes Crab
LMS Hughes Crab, 13065 (CJ Allen, Steel Highway, 1928).jpg
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
Designer George Hughes
Builder
Build date1926–1932
Total produced245
Specifications
Configuration:
   Whyte 2-6-0
   UIC 1′C h2
Gauge 4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Leading dia. 3 ft 6+12 in (1.080 m)
Driver dia.5 ft 6 in (1.676 m)
Length59 ft 3+78 in (18.082 m)
Loco weight66 long tons (67 t; 74 short tons)
Fuel type Coal
Fuel capacity5 long tons (5.1 t; 5.6 short tons)
Water cap.3,500 imp gal (16,000 L; 4,200 US gal)
Firebox:
  Grate area27.5 sq ft (2.55 m2)
BoilerLMS type G9HS
Boiler pressure180  lbf/in2 (1.24  MPa)
Heating surface:
  Firebox160 sq ft (15 m2)
  Tubes1,361 sq ft (126.4 m2), later 1,345 sq ft (125.0 m2)
Superheater:
  Heating area307 sq ft (28.5 m2)
Cylinders Two, outside
Cylinder size 21 in × 26 in (533 mm × 660 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort 26,580 lbf (118.23 kN)
Career
Operators
Power classLMS: 4 later 5P4F, later 5P5F, [a] 6P5F, later 5MT
NumbersLMS 13000–13244, renumbered 2700–2944 in 1934, BR 42700–42944
NicknamesCrab
Withdrawn1961–1967
Disposition3 preserved, remainder scrapped
42884 at Carlisle in 1960. Note the Fowler tender which is narrower than the locomotive. 42884 at Carlisle, 1960.jpg
42884 at Carlisle in 1960. Note the Fowler tender which is narrower than the locomotive.

The London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Hughes Crab or Horwich Mogul is a class of mixed-traffic 2-6-0 steam locomotive built between 1926 and 1932. [2] They are noted for their appearance with large steeply-angled cylinders to accommodate a restricted loading gauge.

Contents

Overview

Designed by George Hughes, chief mechanical engineer of the LMS, and built at the ex-L&YR works at Horwich and the ex-LNWR works at Crewe. The inspiration came from a Caledonian Railway 2-6-0 design at the grouping, however the cylinders were too large for the LMS's English section's loading gauge, resulting in Hughes having to adapt the concept. [3] They were put into service by his successor, Henry Fowler. The design incorporated a number of advanced features for the time such as long travel valves, compensated brake gear, a new design of tender and a new boiler, the latter based on the one fitted to Hughes's four-cylinder Baltic tank locomotives built at Horwich.[ citation needed ]

Fowler tried to have the design altered to use standard Derby components. However the design process and pre-production were sufficiently advanced to prevent the fitting of a smaller Derby pattern boiler, and the cylinders and motion also remained as designed by Hughes. The tender was replaced by a Derby standard type, which was narrower than the cab. Standard Midland Railway boiler fittings and brake equipment were also substituted, and the class became something of a hybrid design. Nevertheless they performed rather well in most circumstances and gained a strong reputation in some areas, especially in Scotland, where they became the preferred locomotive for heavy unfitted mineral work on difficult routes, even after the introduction of the Stanier mixed traffic 4-6-0s.[ citation needed ]

Experiments

In 1931, five engines, 13118, 13122, 13124, 13125 and 13129 were fitted with Lentz valve gear. They were renumbered as 42818, 42822, 42824, 42825 and 42829 after nationalisation. In 1953, the Lentz valve gear on these engines was replaced with Reidinger valve gear.[ citation needed ]

Tests at Rugby Locomotive Testing Station in 1954 indicated the design had a maximum steaming rate of 16,000 pounds per hour (7,300 kg/h). Modifications of the chimney and blast pipe improved the maximum rate to 20,000 pounds per hour (9,100 kg/h) but no other engine was modified to take advantage of this. [4]

Successor

When an order was placed by the traffic department for delivery of 40 more examples of this type, the new chief mechanical engineer, William Stanier, decided to introduce a taper boiler version, in line with his policy of using taper boilers on all new locomotive designs. There were so many changes to the layout of the locomotive, such as higher boiler pressure and smaller cylinders, that it became a new design, the LMS Stanier Mogul.

Numbering

NumbersLot No.DateBuilt at
OriginalLMS 1933BR
13000–062700–0642700–06201926 Horwich
13007–292707–2942707–29201927 Horwich
13030–352730–3542730–35211926 Crewe
13036–992736–9942736–99211927 Crewe
13100–072800–0742800–07541928 Crewe
13108–092808–0942808–09541929 Crewe
13110–292810–2942810–29631929 Horwich
13130–492830–4942830–49681930 Horwich
13150–2242850–92442850–924691930 Crewe
13225–342925–3442925–34801931 Crewe
13235–442935–4442935–44861932 Crewe

Initially numbered 13000–244, as standard locomotives they were given the lower numbers 2700–2944 in the LMS 1933 renumbering scheme. After being taken into British Railways stock an additional 40000 was added to their numbers, becoming 42700–42944.

Withdrawal

The class survived intact until 1961 when three were withdrawn. The remainder of the class were withdrawn over the next six years.

Table of withdrawals
YearQuantity in
service at
start of year
Quantity
withdrawn
Locomotive numbers
1961245342864/93, 42930.
19622426142713–14/20/24/26/42–45/49/52/64/66/73/75/79/81/84/86/97,
42804/07–09/11/18/22/24–25/29–30/33–37/47/50/57/62/66/68/74–77/81–84/87/89/91/99,
42903/06/15/18/27/29/39.
19631815242704/06/11/18/21/23/28–29/35/46–47/50/58–59/62/67–68/70–71/74/85/90/92/94/96/98,
42805–06/10/13/21/38/43/52–54/65/70–73/85/90/95,
42910–11/14/21/28/33/35/44.
19641295442701/03/05/07–09/17/19/25/31/38/48/54–57/60–61/63/69/76/88/93,
42802/15–16/20/23/26/39–40/42/45–46/51/55–56/58/60/67/80/88/94/97,
42902/07/20/22–23/25–26/31/34/43.
1965754842710/16/22/30/32–33/41/51/53/72/77–78/80/83/87/91/99,
42800/14/17/19/27–28/31–32/41/44/48–49/69/78–79/86/92/96/98,
42900–01/04–05/12/16/32/36–38/40–41.
1966272542700/02/12/15/34/36–37/39–40/65/82/89/95,
42801/03/12/59/61/63,
42908–09/13/17/19/24.
19672242727, 42942.

Accidents and incidents

Nicknames

These locomotives were referred to by train spotters as "Crabs", although the term "Horwich mogul" was preferred by the LMS. Several authors have claimed that this refers to the resemblance to a crab's pincers of the outside cylinders and valve motion. [9] [10] [11] Another suggestion is that the nickname refers to the "scuttling" motion felt on the footplate when the engine is being worked hard, [10] due largely to the inclined cylinders, producing a sensation that it is walking along the track. In some areas they also received the nickname "frothblowers" from their tendency to prime easily when the boiler was overfilled, or the feedwater contaminated. [12]

Preservation

Survivors

Three have survived to preservation

Note: Engine numbers in bold mean their current number.

NumbersBuiltBuilderWithdrawnService LifeLocationConditionNotes
OriginalLMS 1933BR
13000270042700Jun 1926 Horwich Works Nov 196439 Years 9 Months National Railway Museum, YorkStatic Display
LMS Hughes Crab.jpg

The first-built locomotive, 2700 is part of the National Railway Collection and currently on static display.

13065276542765Aug 1927 Crewe Works Dec 196639 Years 3 Months East Lancashire Railway Undergoing Overhaul
LMS Crab Mogul No 13065 (15399960598).jpg

Following an overhaul returned to service in 2014 wearing crimson lake livery and her pre-LMS number 13065. She is currently the only Crab to have also run in preservation.

In January 2016, 13065 operated with Flying Scotsman: due to the extensive repairs to Flying Scotsman, it needed to be weaned into full operation and relied on several steam and diesel engines including 13065 to accompany it for health and safety reasons (including Passenger safety).[ citation needed ]

In May 2018 it was discovered that a number of the engine's flue tubes had failed, rather than replacing just the cracked flue tubes a decision was reached to replace all the tubes in the engine's boiler alongside replacing the cracked ones. The engine's 10-year overhaul is therefore being undertaken which although will see 13065 out of service for 2018 will mean that the engine can operate beyond 2024 on a fresh boiler ticket, it will also save the ELR from being two engines down when 34092 City of Wells is withdrawn for overhaul. [13]

13159285942859Mar 1930Crewe WorksDec 196636 Years 9 MonthsPrivate SiteAwaiting Restoration
LMS Hughes Class 5MT 42859 (8429874229).jpg

42859 had been stored at RAF Binbrook in a dismantled state since 1995 whilst the owner undertook its restoration. [14] [15]

However, in November 2012, after the driving wheels and tender frame were removed without the owner's permission, [16] an injunction was obtained to prevent any further removal of parts. [15] The driving wheels were later discovered by the police during a raid of a nearby industrial unit in an unrelated operation; the owner of the premises was served with a notice preventing the wheels' removal. [17] In June 2013, it was announced that the matter had been classified as a civil dispute by Lincolnshire Police and will have to be pursued through the courts. [18] The boiler and frames were removed from storage in Binbrook under police supervision and moved to a secret location. [19] Legal proceedings for the return of the wheels and tender frame are underway. [19] The boiler was subsequently cut up in a Nottingham scrapyard having been sold by the owner to pay for the costs of moving it from Binbrook. [20] The owner stated that the boiler was beyond economic repair and that he has retained sufficient parts to allow a replacement to be built. [20] The wheels remain at RAF Binbrook under a court order.[ citation needed ]

Models

Models exist in 00 gauge. An old model was produced by Lima, and an updated model has since been produced by Bachmann. N gauge models are produced by Graham Farish.

Notes

  1. The reclassification from 4F to 5F took effect on 24 March 1940, but may be shown in records as being slightly later. [1]

References

  1. Chief Operating Manager's Dept., Costs Office (6 April 1940), 2-6-0 Mixed Traffic Engines – Power Classification, Derby: London, Midland and Scottish Railway, E.R.O. 48030 (internal communication, signed "for T.W. ROYLE").
  2. Rowledge, J. W. P. (1975). Engines of the LMS, built 1923–51. Oxford: Oxford Publishing Company. p. 7. ISBN   0902888595.
  3. Haresnape, Brian (1981) [1972]. Fowler Locomotives: A Pictorial History. Shepperton: Ian Allan. p. 61. ISBN   0711003742. CX/0281.
  4. Marshall, John (1972). The Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway. Vol. 3. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. pp. 199–200. ISBN   0715353209.
  5. Trevena, Arthur (1980). Trains in Trouble. Vol. 1. Redruth: Atlantic Books. p. 40. ISBN   0-906899-01-X.
  6. "Report on the Collision that occurred on the 27th August 1950 at Penmaenmawr in the London Midland Region British Railways :: The Railways Archive".
  7. Earnshaw, Alan (1989). Trains in Trouble: Vol. 5. Penryn: Atlantic Books. pp. 32–33. ISBN   0-906899-35-4.
  8. Earnshaw, Alan (1993). Trains in Trouble: Vol. 8. Penryn: Atlantic Books. p. 29. ISBN   0-906899-52-4.
  9. Haresnape (1981), p. 65.
  10. 1 2 Hunt, David; Essery, Bob & James, Fred (2000). LMS Locomotive Profiles No. 2 - The Horwich Moguls. Didcot: Wild Swan. p. 7. ISBN   1874103569.
  11. Young, John & Tyreman, David (2009). The Hughes and Stanier 2-6-0s. Locomotives of the LMS. Maidenhead: RCTS. p. 6. ISBN   9780901115966.
  12. Middlemass, Tom (1991). Steam Locomotives' Nicknames. Silver Link Publishing Ltd. ISBN   094797170X.
  13. "East Lancashire Railway release update on steam locomotive No.13065". 30 May 2018.
  14. Collins, Rod. "RAF Binbrook". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  15. 1 2 Piggott, Nick, ed. (February 2013). "'Crab' owner in court bid to save engine after wheels disappear". The Railway Magazine . 159 (1, 342): 10.
  16. Press Complaints Commission (13 May 2013). "Complaint - Steam Railway". Archived from the original on 11 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  17. Piggott, Nick, ed. (March 2013). "'Crab' driving wheels found". The Railway Magazine . 159 (1, 343): 10.
  18. Piggott, Nick, ed. (June 2013). "Missing 'Crab' wheels a civil matter, say police". The Railway Magazine . 159 (1, 346): 8.
  19. 1 2 Piggott, Nick, ed. (September 2013). "'Crab' goes from Binbrook under police supervision". The Railway Magazine . 159 (1, 349): 12.
  20. 1 2 Piggott, Nick, ed. (March 2014). "'Crab' boiler is cut up - but owner plans to build a new one". The Railway Magazine . 160 (1, 356): 6.