Thompson LNER A2/3 Pacifics

The London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) Class A2/3 was a class of 4-6-2 steam locomotives. They were newly constructed locomotives, fulfilling the requirement identified by Edward Thompson for a standard express passenger locomotive of the 4-6-2 arrangement with 6 ft 2 in (1.880 m) driving wheels. Fifteen engines were constructed according to this original design, but following the retirement of Thompson as CME, the remaining fifteen locomotives that were planned were immediately redesigned and ultimately emerged as Peppercorn Class A2.

he locomotives were due to be built at Doncaster works but were subject to various delays and so only the first, No. 500 appeared in traffic in May 1946, prior to Thompson's retirement aged sixty-five, the following month. Fourteen further examples were then under construction and appeared under Thompson's successor Arthur Peppercorn, between July 1946 and September 1947. After trials during the summer and autumn 1946 Peppercorn decided not to build the remaining locomotives authorised until he had made modifications to the design. In fact O.S. Nock has suggested that the Doncaster staff had begun amending the design before Thompson's retirement. The class was then redesignated A2/3, and the Peppercorn design became the standard A2 class.


Part 1 features the locos in the LNER era


500 Edward Thompson (less than 3 weeks old) Wakefield Westgate 19th June 1946 Thompson A2-3

https://railway-photography.smugmug...0500-6051160524/LNER-era-500511-524/i-GBTJdGH



locations needed for photos

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