LMS Route: Nuneaton to Birmingham New Street

LMS Route: Birmingham New Street to Tamworth

Saltley Shed: mrsalt109

LMS 2-6-6-2 Garret No 7994 stands along side the coaling tower. Number 7994 was built by Beyer Peacock in November 1930, part of the second batch with a revolving instead of a fixed bunker, and was the last to survive being taken out of service from Hasland shed in April 1958 to be scrapped by Crewe works in May 1958.

The Garretts were a typical example of how the design team at Derby continued applying flawed MR design to many early LMS designs. Ignoring Beyer Peacock's advice based on years of experience building this type of locomotive many MR components and concepts were incorporated. Besides the insistence that the MR 8'0"- 8'- 6" axle spacing was maintained the 4F axle boxes were employed as well as short travel valves and convoluted steam passages.

Consequently the performance of the locomotive was seriously lacking and coal consumption was no better than the two locomotives it was supposed to replace. The only difference being was that the coal was put in the box by one man not two! 1 Dec 1946

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