BR Standard Class 2MT

The BR Standard Class 2MT steam locomotives evolved from Ivatt’s Class 2F 2-6-0 1946 design for the LMS. Robert Riddles designed this new class of locomotives for mixed-traffic use. Each locomotive in the class was suitable for shunting, secondary passenger, and freight train duties, and they were often seen hauling freight across the Pennines. This class was described as “particularly suitable for light main line and cross country passenger services” in The Ladybird Book of British Railway Locomotives, first published in 1958. Sixty-five prototypes were constructed in the former LNER workshops at Darlington between December 1952 and November 1956. 

No. 78022, a preserved 2MT Standard Class locomotive in BR Green livery. This locomotive is in service on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. The above image is from a Hornby survey research trip in 2018. 

Features of the 2MT Standard Class

To the discerning eye, the locomotive's appearance differed from Ivatt's Class 2MT locomotives, particularly regarding the cab. 

An angled cab side featured on the BR Standard improved its route availability across the BR network. A new BR Standard clack valve arrangement replaced the LMS top feed arrangement with a smoother front end. This gave the front end a neater look. 

There were modern aspects to the design of the BR Standard 2MT. These included rocking fire grates, self-cleaning smokeboxes, self-emptying hopper ash pans and widespread use of grease lubrification. Known for their reliable service, these modern additions would have helped the locomotive run smoothly. 

Fluted coupling rods were installed in the first batch of 2MT locomotives, and by 1955 this was changed to rectangular section coupling rods in the final batch of ordered locomotives. Other modern features included a speedometer connected to the rear driving wheel and electrification warning flashes. 

The tender's brake power/fully loaded weight was 37.15 tons, and the steam pressure was 200 psi. The tender roller-bearing axleboxes were painted yellow with horizontal red stripes.

What became of this locomotive class?

The class was withdrawn from service by the end of May 1967, with only four surviving prototypes saved for preservation: Nos. 78018, 78019, 78022 and 78059. These prototypes are still in service, hauling passenger trains.

No. 78022 is one example of the class still in service today. The Standard 4 Locomotive Society comprises enthusiasts for the class, and in 1975 they purchased 78022 from Woodham Bros. On 11 June that year, they sent the locomotive to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway for restoration. This process took eighteen years to complete before the locomotive returned to service on the railway in 1993. 

BR Standard Class 2MT Samples

Two finished samples of the elaborate BR Standard Class 2MT locomotives have arrived. We are very excited to share the images with you - we know you've been waiting a while! 

You can see nos. 78006 and 78054 below, with added details from the prototypes.

There will be five models representing the five prototypes that were withdrawn from service between 1965-67. Nos. 78006, 78054, 78000, 78010 and 78047 have all been brought back to life through these Hornby models. Nos. 78010, 78047 and 78054 are tooled in BR Black livery, whereas Nos. 78000 and 78006 are tooled in BR Green livery. 

Here you can see the two samples of Nos. 78006 and 78054 together. 

You'll notice certain features incorporated into the finished models. Each locomotive will have fluted or plain coupling rods, depending on the model's number and specific era. We've paid keen attention to the extensive fine piping detail covering the locomotive's body. More features to highlight include a sliding roof vent on the cab and sprung buffers.

We promise to share a group shot once we have all five samples together.

A snow plough and front steps are included in the accessory bag for you to fit if you wish to do so for your layout needs. These features are for aesthetic purposes only. 

Please note there is no guarantee that the model will run around curves on a layout when you add these accessories, as the snow plough is fitted using the NEM pocket. You will need to glue the front steps in place. 

Secure your Standard Class 2MT before they sell out!

P2s in Production

The Class P2 steam locomotive models are currently in production. We have received images of the Class P2 locomotives from the factory and can now share them with you. Final samples will follow in next month’s Engine Shed.

Pre-order your Class P2 steam locomotives now

YMO and YMA ‘Salmon’ Wagons from the Moulds First Shots

We focused on the BR 'Salmon' wagons in last month's Engine Shed and showcased the renders (you can read that blog post here). We have received the first shots from the moulds of the YMO and YMA variants of the 'Salmon' wagons, as you can see in the images below. 

Pre-order your 'Salmon' wagons now:

The YMO 'Salmon' wagon

The YMA 'Salmon' wagon

10 Years Since The Great Gathering:

3 July 2013

The 10th anniversary of The Great Gathering, a reunion of six preserved A4-Class locomotives at the National Railway Museum in York, is on 3 July 2023. The event celebrated the 75th anniversary of ‘Mallard’ becoming the fastest steam locomotive in the world at an astonishing 126mph on 3 July 1938. 

Six A4 Pacifics were all gathered for the first time, including No. 4468 ‘Mallard’, No. 60007 ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’, No. 60009 ‘Union of South Africa’, No. 4489 ‘Dominion of Canada’, No. 60008 ‘Dwight D. Eisenhower’, and No. 4464 ‘Bittern’. Four surviving locomotives were UK-based, and the other locomotives, ‘Dwight D. Eisenhower’ and ‘Dominion of Canada’, were shipped over from North America.

The Great Gathering exhibition was a treat for railway enthusiasts everywhere. To commemorate the 10th anniversary, Hornby created six models of the reunited A4 Pacifics as part of the Hornby Dublo range. A limited edition run of 510 models, displayed as preserved in July 2013, includes a ‘Hornby Great Gathering’ headboard and an exclusive Limited Edition certificate honouring the anniversary. To top it off, they are presented in specially commissioned ‘Great Gathering’ packaging. 

These six Hornby Dublo models would make a great addition to any layout to mark ten years since this momentous occasion. 

Click here to pre-order your locomotives from The Great Gathering Collection

Thus, we conclude with another eventful edition of Engine Shed. We trust you enjoyed the plethora of updates on Hornby’s models. Please get in touch with us via marketing@hornby.com with any comments or questions. As always, we appreciate any feedback. See you next month! 

Follow Hornby on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram for up-to-date news and product updates. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Hornby YouTube channel and tune in to our Beyond the Buffers Podcast.

Happy Modelling!

The Engine Shed Team

Return to the Engine Shed homepage

© Hornby Hobbies Ltd. All rights reserved.