Lionheart BR Standard Class 3MT 2-6-2T

The BR class 3MT 2-6-2T was one of the range of standard locomotive classes design for British Railways produced under Robert Riddles, with design work and construction being divided between the major railway workshops. Although mostly derived from late LMS locomotive designs by Stanier, Fairburn and Ivatt existing tooling was used where practical. The 3MT tank shows a close family relationship with the larger 4MT tanks however to create a boiler of suitable capacity the well proven GWR standard No.2 boiler used for the 51xx 'large prairie' and 56xx 0-6-2T classes was adapted. Making use of the existing GWR flanging blocks the detail design of the boiler was altered to use British Railways standard fittings.

Swindon works was responsible for the construction of these engines, alongside the similar 2-6-0 moguls of the 77000 series, thee class 3 engines being well suited to the longer and more heavily trafficked branch lines. It seems likely the 2-6-2 was planned as a replacement for the GWRs powerful 45xx engines which, at 40 years, were reaching the end of their designed lives. However the standard engines were to have quite short lives, as passenger services were changed to diesel multiple units from the late 1950s and the traditional local wagonload freight traffic shifted to more practical road transport options.
82043 was withdrawn after 8 years 8 months (approximately first major overhaul time) and 82019, the last engine withdrawn, served just 14 years 10 months, likely when its' second major overhaul was due.

None of the locomotives survived into preservation, however the 82045 Steam Locomotive Trust are in the process of constructing a new locomotive from the ground up, as engines of this type and power are well suited for today's heritage railway needs.

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