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Description
Beginning in 1927, Sir Henry Fowler began producing a class of 4P 2-6-4 passenger tank engines for use on commuter trains. It was around this time that the 2-6-4 wheel arrangement became popular for use on tank engines for the Big Four Railway companies. After an initial production run of 125 engines of his own design, Fowler stepped down from his post and was replaced by William Stanier, who designed his own 2-6-4 tank engine class in 1934. This design was the same size with many of the same elements, but with a critical difference: the addition of a third cylinder. 37 Three cylinder engines were built at Derby works in 1934. The three cylinder layout was chosen due to its advantage in providing increased acceleration, and these engines were designed specifically for use on the former London, Tillbury, and Southend Railway line which had many frequent stops. However, this added acceleration came with the drawback of additional maintenance on the inside cylinder and valve gear. It was decided to continue production of the design without the additional third cylinder in 1935. From then until 1943, 206 engines were built at Derby as well as under contract by NBL, bringing the combined total of the class to 243. The 2-cylinder variant went on to inspire Charles Fairburn's own version of the class, which was produced by both the LMS and British Railways in sizeable quantities. All 243 Stanier 2-6-4s were taken into British Railways stock, where they were classified as 4MT, for mixed traffic duties. They managed to survive until withdrawals began in 1960, with all of the 3-Cylinders going by 1962. The last 2-Cylinders would not be withdrawn until 1967. None of the 2-Cylinders would survive into preservation, but the pioneer of the class, LMS number 2500, the first 3-Cylinder engine, is preserved as a part of the National Collection at the NRM in York.

Description
Beginning in 1927, Sir Henry Fowler began producing a class of 4P 2-6-4 passenger tank engines for use on commuter trains. It was around this time that the 2-6-4 wheel arrangement became popular for use on tank engines for the Big Four Railway companies. After an initial production run of 125 engines of his own design, Fowler stepped down from his post and was replaced by William Stanier, who designed his own 2-6-4 tank engine class in 1934. This design was the same size with many of the same elements, but with a critical difference: the addition of a third cylinder. 37 Three cylinder engines were built at Derby works in 1934. The three cylinder layout was chosen due to its advantage in providing increased acceleration, and these engines were designed specifically for use on the former London, Tillbury, and Southend Railway line which had many frequent stops. However, this added acceleration came with the drawback of additional maintenance on the inside cylinder and valve gear. It was decided to continue production of the design without the additional third cylinder in 1935. From then until 1943, 206 engines were built at Derby as well as under contract by NBL, bringing the combined total of the class to 243. The 2-cylinder variant went on to inspire Charles Fairburn's own version of the class, which was produced by both the LMS and British Railways in sizeable quantities. All 243 Stanier 2-6-4s were taken into British Railways stock, where they were classified as 4MT, for mixed traffic duties. They managed to survive until withdrawals began in 1960, with all of the 3-Cylinders going by 1962. The last 2-Cylinders would not be withdrawn until 1967. None of the 2-Cylinders would survive into preservation, but the pioneer of the class, LMS number 2500, the first 3-Cylinder engine, is preserved as a part of the National Collection at the NRM in York.