LMS Stanier Mogul 13268

LMSLondon Midland & Scottish Railway StanierWilliam Stanier, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway 1932-1944 MogulLocomotive with a 2-6-0 wheel configuration 13268
As 42968, at Highley in 2009
Built By	LMSLondon Midland & Scottish Railway Crewe Works
Configuration	4-6-0
BRBritish Rail or British Railways rating	5MTThe British Railways system of classifying steam locomotives by power using a number from 0, least powerful, to 9, most powerful, followed by either F for freight, P for Passenger or MT for Mixed Traffic.
Status	Operational
Loco Number	13268
Other Numbers	2968, 42968
History
Built	1934
Designed By	William StanierWilliam Stanier, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway 1932-1944
Type	StanierWilliam Stanier, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway 1932-1944 MogulLocomotive with a 2-6-0 wheel configuration
1973	Arrived on SVRSevern Valley Railway
1990-1998	First steamed in preservation
1996-1998	Operation on the main line
2002-2013	Second ticket
2023	Re-entered service
Technical
Length	69ft 10¾"
Weight	69t 2cwt
Tractive effort	26,290 lb
Pressure	225 lb/sq in
Steam Locomotives

13268, later numbered 2968 and 42968, is the sole surviving example of a StanierWilliam Stanier, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway 1932-1944 MogulLocomotive with a 2-6-0 wheel configuration, one of the first classes designed by StanierWilliam Stanier, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway 1932-1944 after his arrival on the LMSLondon Midland & Scottish Railway.

The StanierWilliam Stanier, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway 1932-1944 MogulLocomotive with a 2-6-0 wheel configuration

The MogulLocomotive with a 2-6-0 wheel configuration was only the second new design to be completed for (Sir) William StanierWilliam Stanier, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway 1932-1944 following his appointment as CMEChief Mechanical Engineer for the LMSLondon Midland & Scottish Railway in January 1932. Although they were built at Crewe, they were designed at Horwich and were a development of the Hughes Crab 2-6-0 (the "Horwich MogulLocomotive with a 2-6-0 wheel configuration"). They had a Horwich-style cab and narrow riveted (FowlerHenry Fowler, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the Midland Railway 1909-1923, and of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway 1923-1933 type) tender, with coal rails. Features that StanierWilliam Stanier, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway 1932-1944 brought from the GWRGreat Western Railway included a tapered boiler which had a higher working pressure than the Crab. This allowed the cylinders, which were 3" smaller in diameter, to be mounted horizontally: the only StanierWilliam Stanier, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway 1932-1944 design to do so.

Forty were built between October 1933 and March 1934 as part of a single Lot (Lot 104). StanierWilliam Stanier, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway 1932-1944 then produced a larger 4-6-0 for his mixed traffic class, the LMS Black Five Class. Probably due to the success of this design, no further Moguls were built.

The Moguls were originally designated as class 4FThe British Railways system of classifying steam locomotives by power using a number from 0, least powerful, to 9, most powerful, followed by either F for freight, P for Passenger or MT for Mixed Traffic. when new, subsequently altered to 5P4F in 1934 and 5P5F in 1938/9. BRBritish Rail or British Railways rated the class 6P5F and 5MTThe British Railways system of classifying steam locomotives by power using a number from 0, least powerful, to 9, most powerful, followed by either F for freight, P for Passenger or MT for Mixed Traffic.. They were initially numbered 13245–13284 (following on from the Crabs), becoming 2945–2984 in 1934 (the Crabs becoming 2700–2944). BRBritish Rail or British Railways added 40000 to their numbers so they became 42945–42984. The Moguls were always painted black, normally lined out except during the 1940s and towards the end of steam.

The type was sometimes referred to by railwaymen as "North West Crabs". The Class was also known as 'Lobsters', presumably as a variant of 'crab'. They were mainly found on the ex-LNWRLondon & North Western Railway system where they were regularly used on heavy freight duties, often at night. As a mixed traffic loco they were also used on passenger workings, particularly on summer reliefs, and occasionally on express work, usually deputising when a larger locomotive was unavailable (see below).

13268 in service

13268 entered traffic on 24 January 1934, allocated to Willesden shed. The locomotive was renumbered as 2968 in September 1935, and over its lifetime was allocated to a wide variety of sheds on the LMSLondon Midland & Scottish Railway Western Division, mostly in the North-West but including spells at Aston, Bescot and Nuneaton. It became British Railways' 42968 in December 1948. On 31 December 1958, 42968 replaced 46239 City of Chester on an UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) express service after it failed at Carnforth, working the train as far as Crewe. It was noted on another express passenger service at Bromsgrove on 8 August 1959, the 08:40 Bournemouth to Bradford (Exch).

By 1960, 42968 had covered over 700,000 miles. Its final shed before withdrawal in 1966 was Springs Branch. On of the locomotive's duties that year was a Wigan Area brake van tour on 13 August 1966. Its last recorded working was on 14 December 1966 when noted passing Preston on the 6:35pm parcels train ex-Liverpool Lime Street Station.

13268 in preservation

Restoration and first boiler ticket, as 2968

Following withdrawal on 31 December 1966, the then numbered 42968 was purchased for scrap by Woodham Bros. By 1969 all other members of the class had been cut up, and the Stanier Mogul Fund was formed in 1970 to preserve her as an important example of an early StanierWilliam Stanier, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway 1932-1944 locomotive. Fund raising was helped by a raffle organised by the SVRA North West Branch in 1973.

After four years the Fund had raised Woodham Bros's asking price, with a cheque for £3,575 (including VAT) being handed to Dai Woodham on 1 September 1973, in time to avoiding a pending £500 increase. A working party at BarryWoodham Brothers Scrapyard, Barry, South Wales. The source of many locomotives now in preservation. on 10-14 November prepared the loco for rail movement, after which the loco was hauled to the SVRSevern Valley Railway, arriving at Bewdley on 14 December 1973.

Restoration began at Bridgnorth following a move there in July 1974. At the time, SVRSevern Valley Railway News reported the SMF's optimistic estimate that this would take around three years and cost around £3,000. Initially the locomotive was stored outside and moved from place to place around the yard, making work increasingly difficult. By Autumn 1975 some work had been carried out to prevent further deterioration, but the locomotive was stored awaiting 'finance and labour'.

In 1977 the group secured a "semi-permanent' resting place at the side of the goods shed" and momentum picked up. 1981 saw work in progress on the motion and brake rigging, with the boiler loosened ready for attention from the boilersmiths. The following year a new drag box was completed and new forged motion parts obtained. In 1985 mechanical repair work was completed, but new pipework was being fabricated in line with a new SVRSevern Valley Railway policy that ex-BarryWoodham Brothers Scrapyard, Barry, South Wales. The source of many locomotives now in preservation. engines should be fitted with new pipework before the boiler was repaired. Work on the tender took place in 1986 while funds were raised for the boiler overhaul which began in early 1987. After passing its hydraulic test, the boiler was steamed for the first time on 11 October 1988. A new smokebox ring was required which delayed the final assembly during 1989.

The loco moved under its own steam for the first time in preservation on 12 November 1990, completing two light engine round trips between Bridgnorth and Highley. After further light engine trips on the following Thursday, two ECSEmpty Coaching Stock return trips to Kidderminster were scheduled for Monday 19 November. The first of these was terminated at Highley due to a bomb scare at the BSCBritish Steel Corporation, or British Sugar Corporation Foley Park factory, but the afternoon trip was completed without incident. The locomotive officially entered SVRSevern Valley Railway service on 13 April 1991 in LMSLondon Midland & Scottish Railway livery numbered 2968. Unfortunately, it had to be withdrawn from traffic in December 1993 due to a loose tyre. The autumn 1993 "Tyre a MogulLocomotive with a 2-6-0 wheel configuration in 1994" raffle organised by the SVR Macclesfield Branch and drawn in January 1994 raised over £4,000 net to assist with the total cost of more than £15,000. Following tyre replacement 2968 re-entered service in December 1994. The tender tank was also due for replacement so 2968 temporarily borrowed the StanierWilliam Stanier, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway 1932-1944 tender from Black Five 45110

In 1996 2968 was mainline-certified, and over the next two years hauled a number of main-line railtours, including the Settle-Carlisle line from Crewe to Carlisle. She also took part in the 1998 "Steam On The Met" event. 2968’s main line career included a couple of ‘firsts’:

On 22nd November 1997, it and 7325 were the first steam locos in preservation to work a train over the 1:38 Lickey Incline.

On 3rd January 1998, it set off on a rail tour from Shrewsbury to Newport and Gloucester via the Central Wales line. At Llandrindod Wells it was discovered that the track ahead was flooded, so 2968 drew the train back to Craven Arms running tender first, then ran around to take a detour via the Welsh Marches route. This was the first time that a steam-hauled special had been rerouted mid-tour.

In 2001 the StanierWilliam Stanier, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway 1932-1944 MogulLocomotive with a 2-6-0 wheel configuration Fund produced “A Pictorial History of 2968 The Mighty MogulLocomotive with a 2-6-0 wheel configuration”. This includes comprehensive reports and pictures of the locomotive’s main line tours. Copies of this publication may still be available from the SMF’s sales stand. A complete list of main line appearances is as follows:

Date	Tour name	Route	Notes	Web	SVRSevern Valley Railway News
31 Aug 1996		Kidderminster-Gloucester + return	Test run with support coach		121-44
07 Dec 1996	Lyndum Fayre	Dorridge - Lincoln - Dorridge		SBJ
21 Dec 1996	Cumbrian Mountain Express	Crewe - Carlisle	Deputising for 60009 Union of South Africa
04 Jan 1997	Cumbrian Mountain Express	Carlisle - Crewe	Deputising for 60009 Union of South Africa	SBJ	122-4
11 Jan 1997	Taffy Apple	Worcester Shrub Hill - Swansea - Worcester	D/H with 7325	UKS	122-4
08 Mar 1997	MogulLocomotive with a 2-6-0 wheel configuration Mountaineer	Crewe - Copy Pit - York		SBJ	123-7
18 Oct 1997	Welsh Dragon	Port Talbot - Shrewsbury	Gross load 365 tons, or 50% overload	SBJ	125-9
19 Oct 1997	Ynys Mon Express	Crewe - Holyhead - Crewe		SBJ	126-46
25 Oct 1997	Meldon Meanderer	Bristol - Exeter - Meldon Quarry	D/H with 7325, replacing 7802 (failed with hot box at Bristol)	SBJ	125-70
08 Nov 1997	Pilgrims Progres	Exeter - Plymouth - Bristol	D/H with 7325	SBJ	125-70
15 Nov 1997	Hardy Flyer	Bristol Temple Meads - Yeovil Pen Mill - Bristol	D/H with 7325	SBJ	126-48
22 Nov 1997	Lickey Incliner	Bristol-Bromsgrove-Stourbridge-Gloucester	D/H with 7325, first preserved steam on the Lickey Incline	SBJ	126-2
12 Dec 1997	Chester Chuffer	Wolverhampton - Chester - Wolverhampton		UKS	126-49
03 Jan 1998	Central Wales Adventurer	Shrewsbury - Llandrindod Wells* - Craven Arms* - Gloucester	*Tour re-routed due to flooding	UKS	126-50
31 Jan 1998	Inclined Salopian	Gloucester - Lickey Incline - Bescot	D/H with 7325	UKS	126-49
16 May 1998	Steam on the Met	Amersham-Watford shuttles		UKS
17 May 1998	Steam on the Met	Amersham-Watford shuttles		UKS	127-15
23 May 1998	Steam on the Met	Amersham-Watford shuttles		UKS
24 May 1998	Steam on the Met	Amersham-Watford shuttles		UKS
25 May 1998	Steam on the Met	Amersham-Watford shuttles		UKS	127-32
For further information on sources and references, see The Severn Valley Railway on the main line

A boiler inspection in February 1998 found that firebox crown stays were wasted below Railtrackprivate sector owner of the national railway system from 1994 until 2002, created as part of the privatisation of British Rail. Succeeded by Network Rail requirements for main line working, curtailing further railtours. However the locomotive continued in SVRSevern Valley Railway service and was invited by London Underground to take part in that year's 'Steam on the Met'. During the next annual boiler examination in October 1998, the condition of the firebox side stays was found to be poor and the locomotive was immediately withdrawn from traffic and placed into store at Bridgnorth.

Second boiler ticket, as 42968

Work began on the 'bottom end' while awaiting space in the boiler queue. The boiler was eventually lifted for repair and moved into the boiler shop on 20 October 2000, by which time the SMF had decided that the locomotive would re-enter service in later BRBritish Rail or British Railways mixed traffic lined black livery as 42968. Boiler repair work included fabrication of a new copper tube plate for the firebox to replace the original cracked one. By autumn 2002 the boiler had been successfully steam tested and reunited with the frames, and following reassembly including fitting of a new cab roof, the overhaul was completed in in time for a return to service in 2003.

During the overhaul, it had been the SMF's intention to return to the main line. However a number of obstacles arose:

• EWSEnglish, Welsh & Scottish Railway, a rail freight company decided that they would only operate air brake fitted trains; the fitting of air braking to 42968 was ruled out on cost grounds.
• Issues had been found with the TPWS equipment fitted to other mainline locos. The SMF authorised the necessary repair work and advertised runs over the Cambrian Coast line in October 2004. However RESCO were unable to provide staff to carry out the necessary certification in time.
• Further runs were planned for March 2005. RESCO then decided that a full survey of the locomotive would be necessary at a cost of £12,495 plus VAT as the original registration from the first period of mainline running had not been maintained 'for some unknown reason'.

Faced with this additional expenditure, as well as the possibility of further costs being required to achieve re-certification, the SMF reluctantly decided that 'enough was enough'. Instead, 42968 went on to enjoy "an immensely successful and reliable 10 years in service" on the SVRSevern Valley Railway, recording twice the mileage of its previous running period and reaching the '100,000 miles in preservation' landmark on Boxing Day 2010. It also made visits to the Crewe Works Open Day and gala appearances at the Great Central, Worth Valley, Llangollen and West Somerset Railways. 42968 also appeared in the BBC 2 drama 'Dancing on the Edge' directed by Stephen Poliakoff.

During 2009 the small tubes were replaced. In June 2010 the tyres on the tender wheels were found to have developed bad flats. The tender was withdrawn and the StanierWilliam Stanier, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway 1932-1944 tender from Black Five 45110 was again attached to allow 42968 to remain in service. The tender’s tyres were replaced and the tender given a full overhaul during 2011-12, the engine regaining her correct tender in March 2012.

In summer 2011 John Hancock reported in SVRSevern Valley Railway News that "Someone left an empty wheelbarrow on a crossing at Hampton Loade, I assume deliberately, and we found it. 2968 was unscathed, the barrow very scathed indeed. I last saw the battered remains on top of the oil tank at Bewdley shed, with a "Sold, Subject To Contract" sign in front of it."

42968's second boiler certificate expired in January 2013.

Third boiler ticket, as 13268

The latest overhaul began in early 2014, with the boiler lifted from the frames on 22 July of that year. The volunteers continued to work on the 'bottom end', while the boiler was moved to the 'Boilershop Park' in early 2016 for preparatory work ahead of a move into the boiler shop when space became available.

• 

  42968's boiler at Bridgnorth in May 2016

By 2017 a new rear dragbox had been completed. At the end of 2018 work was advancing on the chassis and completion of the boiler was forecast for the following year. By the end of 2019 the locomotive had been re-wheeled, although the boiler was proving to be "the frustration of the boiler shop".

Progress was then inevitably affected by the 2020 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The boiler successfully passed a hydraulic test in March 2023, marking the start of a new '10-year ticket', and passed its steam test on 19 June 2023. In October 2023 it successfully moved under its own power and was commissioned as No 2968 in unlined black. On 21 October 2023 it travelled light engine to Kidderminster to coincide with the AGM of the owning group the StanierWilliam Stanier, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway 1932-1944 MogulLocomotive with a 2-6-0 wheel configuration Fund.

• 

  2968 at Kidderminster, 21 October 2023

A repaint into its original lined livery and original number 13268 took place in early 2024.

See also

• Steam Locomotives
• The Severn Valley Railway on the main line
• SVR-based locomotives visiting other events
• Locomotives running under different identities

Notes

References

Links

• Stanier Mogul Fund website
• LMS Stanier Mogul on Wikipedia