L.M.S.R. Turbomotive
A non-condensing steam turbine locomotive built for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway; serial number 6202, nicknamed Turbomotive.
1932 A main line turbine locomotive (presumably a Ljungstrom Turbine Locomotive built by NOHAB) was put into service on the Grangesberg-Oxelosund line in Sweden.
At the invitation of Dr H. L. Guy, chief turbine engineer of Metrovicks, W. A. Stanier visited Sweden to observe the turbine locomotive.
Stanier then developed plans for a turbine locomotive, based on the Princess Royal class, using two non-condensing Ljungstrom turbines - one for forward drive, the other, smaller one for reverse. Dr Guy was responsible for the design of the turbines and the gear drive; the boiler and chassis were designed at Derby Works
1935 The locomotive was put into service and operated in the normal fleet, except for some of the war years, until 1946 when it was withdrawn. Experience with the locomotive's performance had been satisfactory but availability was lower than others of the class, not helped by the need to obtain spares from Metrovicks which had to make them specially on demand.
1950 Rebuilt as a conventional piston-driven locomotive, 6202 ran for 2 more years in main line service.
See Also
Sources of Information
- The British Steam Railway Locomotive 1925-65, O. S. Nock