Locomotives of the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway

From its opening in 1854, the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway (LTSR) hired locomotives from the Eastern Counties Railway (ECR), and this arrangement continued after the ECR amalgamated with other railways in 1862 to create the Great Eastern Railway (GER). In 1880 the LTSR bought its first locomotive, saving on hiring costs from the GER and further engines followed that year. The LTSR principally operated tank engines, which it named after towns on the route. The railway's first locomotive superintendent was Thomas Whitelegg, who in 1910 was succeeded by his son Robert. The LTSR became part of the Midland Railway (MR) in 1912, but nevertheless continued to be operated independently. The Midland removed locomotive names and renumbered engines. The Midland, and its successor the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS), continued to build some LTSR designs until 1930.

Locomotive classes Steam locomotives are divided into the following classes: LT&SR class LT&SR Nos. MR Nos. Type Quantity Manufacturer Date Withdrawn Notes 1 1–36 2110–2145 4-4-2T 36 Sharp, Stewart & Co. (30)Nasmyth, Wilson & Co. (6) 1880–1892 1929–1936 37 37–48 2146–2157 4-4-2T 12 Sharp, Stewart & Co. (6)Dübs & Co. (6) 1897–1898 1951–1952 49 49–50 2898–2899 0-6-0 2 Sharp, Stewart & Co. 1899 1933, 1936 51 51–68 2158–2175 4-4-2T 18 Sharp, Stewart & Co. (12)North British Locomotive Co. (6) 1900–1903 1947–1953 69 69–78 2180–2189 0-6-2T 10 North British Locomotive Co. 1903–1908 1958–1962 79 79–82 2176–2179 4-4-2T 4 Robert Stephenson & Co. 1909 1951–1956 Locomotives built to LT&SR designs after 1912 (69) (83–86) 2190–2193 0-6-2T 4 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1912 1959 Ordered by the LT&SR (87) (87–94) 2100–2107 4-6-4T 8 Beyer, Peacock & Co. 1912 1929–1934 Ordered by the LT&SR (79) — LMS 2110–2119 4-4-2T 10 Derby Works 1923 1951–1959 Ordered by the Midland Railway (79) — LMS 2120–2124 4-4-2T 6 Nasmyth, Wilson & Co. 1925 1952–1959 Ordered by the LMS (79) — LMS 2125–2134 4-4-2T 10 Derby Works 1927 1956–1960 Ordered by the LMS (79) — LMS 2151–2160 4-4-2T 10 Derby Works 1930 1955–1959 Ordered by the LMS The LTSR 37, 51, and 79 classes were similar, with the 51 class being lighter () than the other two ().

Preservation Only one LT&SR locomotive has survived into preservation: Image LTSR No. LTSR class Type Manufacturer Serial No. Date Notes 80 Thundersley 79 4-4-2T Robert Stephenson & Co. 3367 May1909 National collection; static display, Bressingham Steam and Gardens

References

Further reading Bob Essery The London, Tilbury and Southend Railway and its Locomotives, OPC (2001) Bob Essery and David Jenkinson An Illustrated History of LMS locomotives. Volume 4. Absorbed Pre-Group Classes Midland Division