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{{Short description|Class of steam freight locomotives}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox locomotive
|powertype = Steam
|name = LMS Fowler Class 4F
|image = Stockport 2 railway geograph-2189845.jpg
|caption = 44444 at Stockport, 1950
|designer = [[Henry Fowler (engineer)|Henry Fowler]]
|builder = {{ubl|LMS [[Derby Works]] (185)|LMS [[Crewe Works]] (165)|LMS [[St. Rollox railway works|St. Rollox Works]] (60)|LMS [[Horwich Works]] (10)|[[North British Locomotive Company|North British Locomotive Co.]] (80)|[[Kerr, Stuart and Company|Kerr, Stuart & Co.]] (50)|[[Andrew Barclay Sons & Co.]] (25)}}
|builddate = 1924–1941
|totalproduction = 575
|whytetype = [[0-6-0]]
|uicclass = C h2
|gauge = {{RailGauge|ussg|allk=on}}
|driverdiameter = {{convert|5|ft|3|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
|length = {{convert|52|ft|0+1/8|in|abbr=on}}
|locoweight = {{convert|48.75|LT|t ST}}
|tenderweight = {{convert|41.20|LT|t ST}}
|fueltype = [[Coal]]
|fuelcap = {{convert|4|LT|t ST|1|abbr=on}}
|watercap = {{convert|3500|impgal|abbr=on}}
|cylindercount = Two, inside
|cylindersize = {{convert|20|x|26|in|0|abbr=on}}
|valvegear = [[Stephenson valve gear|Stephenson]]
|valvetype = [[Piston valve (steam engine)|piston valves]]
|boiler = LMS type G7S
|boilerpressure = {{convert|175|lbf/in2|MPa|2|abbr=on|lk=on}}
|firearea = {{convert|21|sqft|abbr=on}}
|tubesandflues = {{convert|1034|sqft|abbr=on}}
|fireboxarea = {{convert|124|sqft|abbr=on}}
|superheaterarea = {{convert|252|sqft|abbr=on}} later {{convert|246|sqft|abbr=on}}
|locobrakes = [[Vacuum brake|Vacuum]]
|trainbrakes = [[Vacuum brake|Vacuum]]
|tractiveeffort = {{convert|24555|lbf|kN|2|abbr=on}}
|operator = {{ubl|[[London, Midland and Scottish Railway]]|[[British Railways]]}}
|powerclass = 4F
|fleetnumbers = {{ubl|LMS: 4027–4606|BR: 44027–44606}}
|axleloadclass = BR: [[Route Availability]] 5
| locale = [[London Midland Region of British Railways|London Midland Region]]
|withdrawndate = 1959–1966
|disposition = 3 preserved, remainder [[scrap]]ped
}}
[[File:44458 Water Orton.jpg|thumb|right|An earlier view of 44458, this time passing Water Orton.]]
The [[London, Midland and Scottish Railway]] (LMS) '''Fowler Class 4F''' is a class of [[0-6-0]] [[steam locomotive]] designed for medium freight work. They represent the ultimate development of the [[Midland Railway]]'s six-coupled tender engines. Many [[Trainspotters in the United Kingdom|trainspotters]] knew them as "Duck Sixes", a nickname derived from their wheel arrangement.<ref>Platforms Souls (Chap.1), Whittaker, Nicholas, Gollancz, London, 1995</ref>

== Background ==
The 4F was based on the 197-strong [[Midland Railway 3835 Class]] of 1911, with only a few modifications, primarily the adoption of left-hand drive instead of right-hand drive. They originally had been designed by [[Henry Fowler (engineer)|Henry Fowler]], who from 1925 became [[Chief mechanical engineer|CME]] of the LMS.

Midland Railway locomotives were notorious for their short [[Journal bearing|axle-box bearings]], which were prone to overheating. This design feature was perpetuated in the LMS 4F. The problem was eventually solved with the fitting of mechanical lubricators.{{cn|date=November 2016}}

== Construction ==
[[File:LMS 0-6-0 freight locomotive, 4129 (CJ Allen, Steel Highway, 1928).jpg|thumb|4129 with number on the tender, pre-1928]]
The LMS constructed 530 of the locomotives between 1923 and 1928, numbered sequentially from where the Midland engines left off from 4027. A further 45 examples were reluctantly authorised by [[William Stanier]] in 1937 at the behest of the operating department.

{|class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" style=text-align:center
|+{{nowrap|Construction table}}
! LMS nos.
! BR nos.
! Lot No.
! Date built
! Built by
|-
| 4027–4034
| 44027–44034
| 7
| 1924
| [[Derby Works|Derby]]
|-
| 4035–4056
| 44035–44056
| 7
| 1925
| [[Derby Works|Derby]]
|-
| 4057–4081
| 44057–44081
| 8
| 1925
| [[North British Locomotive Company|North British Loco]]
|-
| 4082–4106
| 44082–44106
| 9
| 1925
| [[Kerr Stuart]]
|-
| 4107
| 44107
| 10
| 1924
| [[Crewe Works|Crewe]]
|-
| 4108–4158
| 44108–44158
| 10
| 1925
| [[Crewe Works|Crewe]]
|-
| 4159–4176
| 44159–44176
| 10
| 1926
| [[Crewe Works|Crewe]]
|-
| 4177–4178
| 44177–44178
| 11
| 1924
| [[St. Rollox railway works|St. Rollox]]
|-
| 4179–4206
| 44179–44206
| 11
| 1925
| [[St. Rollox railway works|St. Rollox]]
|-
| 4207–4216
| 44207–44216
| 29
| 1925
| [[Derby Works|Derby]]
|-
| 4217–4287
| 44217–44287
| 29
| 1926
| [[Derby Works|Derby]]
|-
| 4288–4301
| 44288–44301
| 29
| 1927
| [[Derby Works|Derby]]
|-
| 4302–4311
| 44302–44311
| 28
| 1926
| [[Crewe Works|Crewe]]
|-
| 4312–4322
| 44312–44322
| 30
| 1927
| [[St. Rollox railway works|St. Rollox]]
|-
| 4323–4331
| 44323–44331
| 30
| 1928
| [[St. Rollox railway works|St. Rollox]]
|-
| 4332–4342
| 44332–44342
| 31
| 1926
| [[Kerr Stuart]]
|-
| 4343–4356
| 44343–44356
| 31
| 1927
| [[Kerr Stuart]]
|-
| 4357–4361
| 44357–44361
| 32
| 1926
| [[Andrew Barclay Sons & Co.|Andrew Barclay]]
|-
| 4362–4381
| 44362–44381
| 32
| 1927
| [[Andrew Barclay Sons & Co.|Andrew Barclay]]
|-
| 4382–4399
| 44382–44399
| 33
| 1926
| [[North British Locomotive Company|North British Loco]]
|-
| 4400–4406
| 44400–44406
| 33
| 1927
| [[North British Locomotive Company|North British Loco]]
|-
| 4407–4436
| 44407–44436
| 42
| 1927
| [[Derby Works|Derby]]
|-
| 4437–4446
| 44437–44446
| 43
| 1927
| [[Crewe Works|Crewe]]
|-
| 4447–4456
| 44447–44456
| 43
| 1928
| [[Crewe Works|Crewe]]
|-
| 4457–4466
| 44457–44466
| 44
| 1928
| [[Horwich Works|Horwich]]
|-
| 4467–4476
| 44467–44476
| 45
| 1928
| [[St. Rollox railway works|St. Rollox]]
|-
| 4477–4506
| 44477–44506
| 46
| 1927
| [[North British Locomotive Company|North British Loco]]
|-
| 4507–4556
| 44507–44556
| 56
| 1928
| [[Crewe Works|Crewe]]
|-
| 4562–4575
| 44562–44575
| 137
| 1937
| [[Crewe Works|Crewe]]
|-
| 4577–4586
| 44577–44586
| 146
| 1939
| [[Derby Works|Derby]]
|-
| 4587–4596
| 44587–44596
| 147
| 1939
| [[Derby Works|Derby]]
|-
| 4597–4604
| 44597–44604
| 147
| 1940
| [[Derby Works|Derby]]
|-
| 4605–4606
| 44605–44606
| 147
| 1941
| [[Derby Works|Derby]]
|}

The missing numbers (4)4557–61 relate to five locomotives built for the [[Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway]] to the [[Midland Railway 3835 Class]] design in 1922, and taken into LMS stock in 1930.

All entered British Railways stock in 1948. BR added 40000 to their numbers. They were all withdrawn between 1959 and 1966.

==Accidents and incidents==
*On 12 February 1929, locomotive No. 4491 was hauling a freight train that was in a head-on collision with an express passenger train, hauled by [[LNWR Claughton Class]] [[4-6-0]] No. 5977, at {{rws|Doe Hill}} station, [[Derbyshire]] due to a signalman's error. Two people were killed.<ref name=Earnshaw7>{{cite book |last=Earnshaw |first=Alan |title=Trains in Trouble: Vol. 7 |year=1991 |publisher=Atlantic Books |location=Penryn |isbn=0-906899-50-8 |page=22 }}</ref>
*On 4 September 1942, locomotive No. 4541 was hauling a freight train that overran the end of a loop in [[blackout (wartime)|blackout conditions]] at {{rws|Todmorden}}, [[West Riding of Yorkshire|Yorkshire]] and was derailed.<ref name=Earnshaw6>{{cite book |last=Earnshaw |first=Alan |title=Trains in Trouble: Vol. 6 |year=1990 |publisher=Atlantic Books |location=Penryn |isbn=0-906899-37-0 |pages=27, 39 }}</ref>
*On 6 June 1961, a locomotive of the class was running light when it was in a head-on collision with a freight train at {{rws|Carlisle Citadel}} station, [[Cumberland]].<ref name=Earnshaw6/>

== Withdrawal ==
Withdrawals from stock occurred between 1959 and 1966.

{|class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"
|+ {{nowrap|Table of withdrawals}}
! Year !! Quantity in service at start of year !! Quantity withdrawn !! Locomotive numbers
|-
| 1959 || 575 || 44 || align=left | 44032/50/58/64/72–73/85/95, 44103/08/16/20/36/40/42/44–45/61/73/75, 44201/04/17/25/27/30/85/91/93/98, 44306/13/16–17/26/57/61/65/69/72/82–83/85, 44423.
|-
| 1960 || 531 || 41 || align=left | 44029/31/52/77/93, 44163, 44343/60/66/75/91, 44406/10/12/15/27/30/38/53/59/71/73/80/83/88/95–96/98, 44502–03/06–07/10–11/13/15/46/55/63/85, 44600.
|-
| 1961 || 490 || 23 || align=left | 44033/67/77/82/88/90, 44105/07/11/41/47–48/52, 44206/49, 44319/24/71, 44409/74/77, 44547/90.
|-
| 1962 || 467 || 74 || align=left | 44036/62/70/87, 44107/22/28–29/38/43/54/58–59/66/87/89/93–94/96/98–99, 44216/24/28/34/45/51/53–58/67/73/81/83, 44307/12/14/18/20/22–23/25/28–31/38/40/68/88/93/97, 44404/07/17/35/38/87/91, 44508–09/18/21/37/50/53/73/76/79/94, 44606.
|-
| 1963 || 393 || 134 || align=left | 44034/46–47/53/55/66/68–69/71/74/83/85/89/94/97–98, 44100–01/12/14/19/26/32–33/50–51/53/62/64/68/74/76/83–84/86/90, 44202/05/07–09/12/19/23/31–32/37–39/41/52/61–62/65/68/70/72/74/80/82/87/92/97/99, 40303/08–09/35–36/41–42/45/51–52/54/59/63/70/74/78/87/95/98, 44411/13/16/18–19/24/26/32/34/37/42/44–45/47–48/54–55/57/65/69–70/72/75–76/85/93–94, 44504/17/19/23–24/26/30/32/35/39/41–42/45/51/56/62/68/74/82/84/92/95–96/98.
|-
| 1964 || 259 || 153 || align=left | 44027/30/38–42/45/48–49/51/54/59–60/78–80/91–92/96, 44102/06/09–10/17/24/30–31/34/46/49/56/65/67/71–72/77–80/82/85/91/97, 44213–14/20–22/26/29/33/35–36/40/42/44/46/48/59–60/75/79/84/86/88–90/95–96, 44301–02/04/15/21/27/32–33/37/44/48/62/64/67/73/76/79–81/84/92/96/99, 44403/21/28/31/33/36/39–41/52/60–61/63–64/67–68/78–79/81–82/84/97/99, 44501/12/14/16/20/29/31/33–34/38/40/43/49/52/54/64–67/69/71–72/75/77–78/80–81/83/86/88–89/91/93, 44602–05.
|-
| 1965 || 106 || 95 || align=left | 44028/35/43–44/56–57/61/63/65/75–76/81/86/99, 44115/18/21/23/25/27/31/37/39/55/57/60/69–70/81/88/92/95, 44200/10–11/15/43/47/50/63–64/66/69/71/76–77/94, 44300/05/34/39/46–47/49–50/53/56/58/86/89–90, 44400–02/08/14/20/22/25/29/43/49–51/56/58/62/66/86/89–90, 44505/22/27–28/36/44/48/70/87/97/99, 44601.
|-
| 1966 || 11 || 11 || align=left | 44113, 44203/18/78, 44310–11/77/94, 44405, 44500/25.
|}

== Preservation ==

[[File:44422 on freight.jpg|thumb|right|Preserved 44422 pulls into Holt station on the [[North Norfolk Railway]].]]
Three LMS-built 4Fs survive, with the first-built LMS 4F, No. (4)4027, being part of the [[National Collection]].


{|class="wikitable"
!colspan=2|Numbers
!rowspan=2|Built
!rowspan=2|Builder
!rowspan=2|Withdrawn
!rowspan=2|Service Life
!rowspan=2|Location
!rowspan=2|Image
!rowspan=2|Condition
|-
!LMS
!BR
|-
|4027
|44027
|Nov 1924
|[[Derby Works]]
|Nov 1964
|40 Years
|[[Sharpness branch line|Vale of Berkeley Railway]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://valeofberkeleyrailway.co.uk/projects/4f-4027/|title=4F 4027|website=Vale of Berkeley Railway|access-date=18 May 2017}}</ref>
|[[File:4F 44027 at Swanwick 1.jpg|x150px|center]]
|Overhaul in progress following the loco's arrival at Sharpness.
|-
|4123
|44123
|Jul 1925
|[[Crewe Works]]
|Jun 1965
|39 Years, 11 months
|[[Avon Valley Railway]]
|[[File:44123 built Crewe August 1925 at the Avon Valley Railway (15717346165).jpg|150px]]
|Restoration in progress.
|-
|4422
|44422
|Oct 1927
|Derby Works
|Jun 1965
|37 Years, 8 months
|[[Churnet Valley Railway]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2019/12/steam-locomotive-44422-arrives-at-the-churnet-valley-railway.html|title=Steam locomotive 44422 arrives at the Churnet Valley Railway|last=Holden|first=Michael|date=2019-12-03|website=RailAdvent|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-12-03}}</ref>
|[[File:44422 on the demolition train - geograph.org.uk - 1181740.jpg|150px]]
|Under overhaul. Returned to the CVR in December 2019 following the termination of its previous loan agreement with the [[West Somerset Railway]].
|-
|}

== Models ==
The 4F has been modelled by [[Lima (models)|Lima]] ([[O gauge]], [[HO gauge]] and [[British N gauge]]) and [[Graham Farish]] (British N Gauge, still produced under the Bachmann label). [[Airfix]] produced a tender drive model of the 4F in [[OO gauge]] in 1978. Production of this was continued by [[Dapol]] after it acquired Airfix models in 1985, and were subsequently sold to [[Hornby Railways|Hornby]] in the late 1990s. They upgraded the model with an improved chassis in 2012.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Hornby upgrades Fowler '4F'|first=Mike|last=Wild|magazine=Hornby Magazine|pages=80–81|issue=59|date=May 2012|location=Hersham|publisher=Ian Allan Publishing|issn=1753-2469|oclc=226087101}}</ref> [[Bachmann Branchline|Bachmann]] have produced a version of the Midland railway variant of the 4F since 2012.

==References==
{{reflist}}

;Sources
* David Hunt, John Jennison Bob Essery & Fred James ''LMS Locomotive Profiles No.10: The Standard Class 4 Goods 0-6-0s'' {{ISBN|1-905184-35-2}} (pictorial supplement {{ISBN|1-905184-37-9}})
* {{cite book |last=Rowledge |first= J.W.P |title= Engines of the LMS, built 1923–51 |publisher=Oxford Publishing Company |location=Oxford |year=1975 |isbn=0-902888-59-5}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite magazine|title=The Fowler '4F' 0-6-0|first=Evan|last=Green-Hughes|magazine=Hornby Magazine|pages=82–85|issue=59|date=May 2012|location=Hersham|publisher=Ian Allan Publishing|issn=1753-2469|oclc=226087101}}

== External links ==
{{commons cat|LMS Fowler Class 4F}}
* [http://www.4123.co.uk London Midland Society 4123]
* [http://www.railuk.info/steam/getsteamclass.php?item=4F-C Class 4F-C Details] at ''Rail UK''

{{LMS Locomotives}}

[[Category:0-6-0 locomotives]]
[[Category:C h2 locomotives]]
[[Category:London, Midland and Scottish Railway locomotives|4F]]
[[Category:Andrew Barclay locomotives]]
[[Category:Kerr Stuart locomotives]]
[[Category:NBL locomotives]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1924]]
[[Category:Standard-gauge steam locomotives of Great Britain]]
[[Category:Freight locomotives]]

LMS Fowler Class 4F - Revision history

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