Bachmann Branchline OO 32-575A Ivatt Class 4MT 3000 LMS Black
Superbly detailed model of the angular Ivatt class 4 (4MT) 'Mucky Duck' or 'Flying Pig' mogul with removable tender coal load and optional cab side doors. The external pipework and handrails are separately fitted parts and blackened side rods and valve gear provide a very fine appearance.
Just 3 locomotives were completed before nationalisation in 1948, LMS 3000 is modelled in as-built condition, with double chimney and late LMS black livery.
The locomotives were not successful in this form, suffering from poor steaming and single chimneys were later fitted to increase smokebox vacuum and therefore draught on the fire. 3000 would probably have carried this livery until modifed at its first overhaul.
Era 3.
These Ivatt 2-6-0's were the last locomotives designed and built by the LMS and the unconventional design was influenced by the successful use of American S160 locomotives during the 2nd World War. Designed for ease of maintenance, they were constructed with a high mounted boiler and running plate for quick access to pipe work and auxiliary fittings. They soon earned the nickname Mucky Duck. A total of 162 were built from 1947 to 1952 and worked across the LMR, ER and Scottish regions. Unusally, the first 50 had double chimneys, which caused exhaust problems, and so the remainder were improved by fitting a single version. By 1952 the first fifty had all been modified with the same single chimney design. With a cut down tender and enclosed cab the locomotives could easily be driven tender first making them suitable for routes with no turntables. They proved to be a very powerful and reliable locomotive well suited to mixed traffic work. BR started to withdraw them in 1963 but the last survived until the end of steam in 1968, only 43106 on into preservation.