The
London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR)
E2 Class was a class of
0-6-0T steam locomotives designed by
Lawson Billinton, intended for shunting and short distance freight trains. Ten examples were built between 1913 and 1916. As a result of the association with the fictional
Thomas the Tank Engine this minor class of tank locomotives must rank as one of the best known steam locomotive classes of all time.
Background
By 1910 many of the
Stroudley E1 class locomotives were worn out or inadequate for the heavier duties required of them.
D. E. Marsh intended to rebuild some examples with a larger boiler, but only one E1X rebuild had been completed by the time of his unexpected retirement. Marsh's successor Billinton reversed this policy and instead ordered five new, more powerful locomotives from
Brighton works. The new class included several features found on other LB&SCR classes including an
I2 class boiler. They were delivered between June 1913 and January 1914.
thumb|left|The second series E2 with extended side tanks, 1915
Second Series
The new design was judged to be successful, except that they were found to have inadequate water supply. Thus when a further order for five locomotives was placed they were given extended
side tanks. The second batch were delayed by the onset of the
war but were eventually delivered between June 1915 and October 1916.
Use
The E2 class locomotives were mainly used for the...
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