Arthur the LMS Tank Engine - OO Gauge

Arthur is based on a BR/LMS Standard Class 3MT Class 2-6-2 Tank Engine that was designed by Robert Riddles and built at Swindown Works in 1952. These particular engines ran on many western and southern branchlines throughout their working lives and some forty-five locomotives were entered into service from Swindon. Hornby Railways produced a model of the 82000 Class 3 Tank Engines, which has sadly, been discontinued in the range since the early 90s, but, there are hopes that a new re-tooled model will be proudced sometime in the near future.

Historical Information about the Swindon Built Tanks

The genesis of the Swindon-built Riddles Class 3 engines (82000 prairie tanks and 77000 moguls) is somewhat different from that of many of the other BR Standard designs, which were essentially developments of LMS types. As no existing LMS boiler was available which would suit a Class 3 loco, it was decided to use a slightly adapted version of the Swindon No.2 boiler (the barrel was shortened by 5 13/16 inches) as fitted to the GWR Large Prairie and 56XX 0-6-2 tanks.
The result was a neat, well-proportioned tank loco and an (arguably) elegant mogul. It is true to say that both types displayed a certain originality of design, and they may be regarded as Swindon's final fling with steam.
The 82000 class started to appear in 1952 and worked on branch line and secondary main line duties, widely distributed throughout England and Wales. The locomotives were destined to have a short life - not in any way due to their own shortcomings but simply because they had come along too late in the day - and unfortunately were prematurely taken out of service and all scrapped in the final years of British steam.

There remains in certain quarters the opinion that the Riddles Class 3 tanks were not very good engines, though this is not borne out at all by many of the men who worked on them. They were generally welcomed wherever they were sent - allegations of poor steaming were ascribable to poor shed maintenance - and what is particularly telling is that the hard-bitten GWR crews of Machynlleth after initial hostility came to accept them as worthy replacements for the 45XX and 55XX Small Prairies they had driven and fired for so many years and achieved some fine performances with them over the Cambrian, almost until the end of steam in that area.

These Locomotives were built for light passenger work and were derived from the GWR 6100 Class with almost identical boilers.They were later developed into the 7700 Class. Forty-Five engines were built at Swindon. They were mainly based on the Western and Southern Regions.


Images are copyright © Daniel Snell