The BR Standard Class 4 2-6-0 is a class of steam locomotive designed by Robert Riddles for British Railways (BR). 115 locomotives were built to this standard.

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (April 2010)

Quick Facts Type and origin, Power type ...

BR Standard Class 4 2-6-0
A Standard 4MT 2-6-0 at Salisbury in 1963.
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer R. A. Riddles Builder BR Horwich (45) Doncaster (70) Build date December 1952 – November 1957 Total produced 115
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-6-0  • UIC 1′C h2 Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Leading dia. 3 ft 0 in (0.914 m) Driver dia. 5 ft 3 in (1.600 m) Length 60 ft 0 in (18.29 m) Width 8 ft 9+1⁄2 in (2.68 m) Height 13 ft 0 in (3.96 m) Axle load Loco: 16.95 long tons (17.22 t; 18.98 short tons) BR1B tender: 17.1 long tons (17.4 t; 19.2 short tons) Adhesive weight 50.45 long tons (51.26 t; 56.50 short tons) Loco weight 59.75 long tons (60.71 t; 66.92 short tons) Tender weight BR1B: 49.15 long tons (49.94 t; 55.05 short tons) BR2/BR2A: 42.15 long tons (42.83 t; 47.21 short tons) Tender type BR1B (17), BR2 (45), BR2A (53) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity BR1B: 7 long tons (7.1 t; 7.8 short tons) BR2/BR2A: 6.00 long tons (6.10 t; 6.72 short tons) Water cap. BR1B: 4,250 imp gal (19,300 L; 5,100 US gal) BR2/BR2A: 3,500 imp gal (16,000 L; 4,200 US gal) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 23 sq ft (2.1 m2) Boiler BR7 Boiler pressure 225 psi (1.55 MPa) Heating surface: ​  • Firebox 131 sq ft (12.2 m2)  • Tubes and flues 1,075 sq ft (99.9 m2) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 247 sq ft (22.9 m2) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 17.5 in × 26 in (444 mm × 660 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 24,170 lbf (107.5 kN) Factor of adh. 4.68
Career Operators British Railways Power class 4MT Numbers 76000–76114 Axle load class Route Availability 4 Withdrawn May 1964 – December 1967 Disposition Four preserved, remainder scrapped

Close

The class was designed at the ex-LNER works at Doncaster which was also responsible for building 70 of the 115-strong class. The remaining 45 were built at Horwich.^[1] None were built at Derby Works although it was intended theat 20 would be built there, Doncaster in fact took them on.

The last in the series, No.76114, was also the final steam engine to be constructed at the 'Plant' (as Doncaster works was known). 76099 was last steam locomotive to be built at Horwich and in fact, was the last of the class to be completed, just after 76114 at Doncaster. The Standard Four Mogul was essentially a standardised version of the LMS Ivatt Class 4, and was primarily intended for freight use.

Although a BR Standard, the 4 2-6-0 class did not have the same design of wheels as the Swindon-built 82XXX and 77XXX Class 3 engines which also had 5-foot-3-inch (1.600 m) driving wheels, yet all three locomotive classes share the same cylinder casting.

The cylinder covers of engines built early in the programme of construction were fitted with "screw-in" type pressure relief valves. From September 1955 revised cylinder covers were introduced for renewals incorporating "bolt-on" type pressure relief valves.^[2] Rectangular type coupling rods rather than the original fluted type, were fitted to 76035 onwards.^[3]

With its 5-foot-3-inch (1.60 m) diameter driving wheels this sixth of the BR standard designs was clearly biased towards freight working. An axle-loading of only 16 long tons 15 cwt (37,500 lb or 17 t) meant its route availability was virtually unrestricted. Batches were allocated to every BR region except the Western.^[4]

• On 23 September 1954, locomotive No. 76017 was hauling a freight train that overran signals and was derailed by trap points at Whitchurch Town station, Hampshire.^[5]
• In December 1957, locomotive No. 76016 was hauling a freight train that overran signals and was derailed by trap points at Woodhay station, Hampshire.^[5]
• On 12 February 1960, locomotive No. 76026 was hauling a freight train that overran signals and was derailed by trap points at Whitchurch Town station.^[5]

Four engines have survived into preservation, all four built at Horwich Works and rescued from Woodham Brothers scrapyard at Barry Island. Three members of the class have steamed so far in preservation but 76077 has yet to do so and is at present undergoing restoration from scrapyard condition. As of September 2023, no members of the class are mainline certified. All three engines that have run in preservation have been on the main line, but only two have hauled railtours, 76079 and 76084. On 13 October 2022, 76017 was moved by rail from its home at the Watercress Line to the Bluebell Railway.^[6]

76079's main career on the main line was when it was owned by Ian Riley in Bury, Lancashire, but it was eventually sold to the NYMR. After completion of its most recent overhaul in 2014 it once again had a mainline certificate but was restricted between Battersby and Whitby on the Esk Valley Line. 76084 meanwhile, was certified to operate over the national network hauling railtours alongside passenger runs along the Bittern Line and the Esk Valley Line.

The erstwhile Kitmaster company produced an unpowered polystyrene injection moulded model kit for 00 gauge. In late 1962, the Kitmaster brand was sold by its parent company (Rosebud Dolls) to Airfix, who transferred the moulding tools to their own factory; they re-introduced some of the former Kitmaster range, including this locomotive. In time, the moulding tools passed on to Dapol who have also produced the model kit.^[12]

Bachmann produces a ready-to-run model in both 00 and N gauge.^[13]

• 76079 Between Egton and Grosmont
• 76079 departing from Grosmont