LNER Class A2
Welcome to scot-rail.co.uk, Scotland's online railway community. The group is for any rail enthusiast interested in the railways and trains of Scotland. It not only consists of the wiki that you're reading now, but a busy online forum and mailing list, which is accessible to anyone who registers. If you would like to join in, all you have to do is register with us for free.
Breadcrumb navigation
The LNER Class A2 locomotives were introduced in the 1940s to designs by LNER Chief Mechanical Engineer Edward Thompson and his successor Arthur Peppercorn. Forty of these steam locos were built to the 4-6-2 'Pacific' wheel arrangement with 6'2" driving wheels for express passenger and fast freight services.
The class was divided into four sub-types:
The Peppercorn A2 locos 60525-539 were shorter with the cylinders along side the bogie, and looked similar to his A1 class.
The six class P2 locomotives had been built 1934-36 with a 2-8-2 wheel arrangement, for use on the Edinburgh - Aberdeen route. After rebuilding they continued to run on that route until they were replaced by newer Peppercorn A2 locos, when they were transferred to English sheds between November 1949 and January 1950.
Haymarket had received it's first Peppercorn A2, E529 'Pearl Diver' in February 1948 shortly after nationalisation as British Railways.
During the 1950s the Scottish Region had fifteen locos, 10 at Haymarket, 3 at Aberdeen Ferryhill and 2 at Dundee.
from Edinburgh they worked to Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth (via Glenfarg), Glasgow Queen Street, Carlisle (Waverley route) and Newcastle.
Gateshead and Heaton locos also worked Newcastle to Edinburgh.
Diesels were introduced to the Edinburgh - Aberdeen route in 1960, and withdrawals started.
Haymarket lost its allocation to St Margarets, with 7 locos moving away in October & November 1961.
In December 1962, three Scottish based A2 locos due for withdrawal were exchanged for three others from York. The last of the English based A2s were withdrawn in June 1963.
September 1963 saw six A2 locos move to Polmadie, the former LMS shed in Glasgow, as replacements for six Coronation Class locos which were withdrawn in the following 2 months. These locos saw some use on services to Carlisle, although by this time most WCML express trains were diesel hauled.
By June 1965 the final three Class A2 locos were based at Dundee, mostly used on freight trains, but seeing some use on passenger trains and railtours.
During 1966, 60528 and later 60532 would move to Aberdeen Ferryhill and augment the LNER A4 Class locos in the final months of steam haulage on the Aberdeen - Glasgow Buchanan Street route.
The last A2 in service with British Railways was 60532, withdrawn in December 1966.
$ Double chimney fitted Sep.1949
Shed Codes:
Scottish Region:
61B - ABD - Aberdeen Ferryhill
62B - DEE - Dundee Tay Bridge
64A - STM - St Margarets, Edinburgh
64B - HAY - Haymarket, Edinburgh
66A - Polmadie, Glasgow
Eastern Region: 34A - KX - Kings Cross, London; 35A - NWE - New England, Peterborough; 37B - COP - Copley Hill, Leeds
North Eastern Region: 50A - YK - York; 52A - GHD - Gateshead; 52B - HTN - Heaton, Newcastle.
60532 Blue Peter stops at Montrose for water on the Aberdonian tour, on 21 August 1994 Photo by nixer10
The class was divided into four sub-types:
- Thompson Class A2/2, six locomotives (numbers 2001-6, later 501-6) rebuilt from class P2 in 1943–44
- Thompson Class A2/1, four locomotives (numbers 3696-9, later 507-510) built new in 1944–45 with class V2 boilers.
- Thompson Class A2/3, fifteen locomotives (numbers 500, 511-524) built new in 1946–47
- Peppercorn Class A2, fifteen locomotives (BR numbers 60525-539) built new 1947-49
The Peppercorn A2 locos 60525-539 were shorter with the cylinders along side the bogie, and looked similar to his A1 class.
The six class P2 locomotives had been built 1934-36 with a 2-8-2 wheel arrangement, for use on the Edinburgh - Aberdeen route. After rebuilding they continued to run on that route until they were replaced by newer Peppercorn A2 locos, when they were transferred to English sheds between November 1949 and January 1950.
Haymarket had received it's first Peppercorn A2, E529 'Pearl Diver' in February 1948 shortly after nationalisation as British Railways.
During the 1950s the Scottish Region had fifteen locos, 10 at Haymarket, 3 at Aberdeen Ferryhill and 2 at Dundee.
from Edinburgh they worked to Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth (via Glenfarg), Glasgow Queen Street, Carlisle (Waverley route) and Newcastle.
Gateshead and Heaton locos also worked Newcastle to Edinburgh.
Diesels were introduced to the Edinburgh - Aberdeen route in 1960, and withdrawals started.
Haymarket lost its allocation to St Margarets, with 7 locos moving away in October & November 1961.
In December 1962, three Scottish based A2 locos due for withdrawal were exchanged for three others from York. The last of the English based A2s were withdrawn in June 1963.
September 1963 saw six A2 locos move to Polmadie, the former LMS shed in Glasgow, as replacements for six Coronation Class locos which were withdrawn in the following 2 months. These locos saw some use on services to Carlisle, although by this time most WCML express trains were diesel hauled.
By June 1965 the final three Class A2 locos were based at Dundee, mostly used on freight trains, but seeing some use on passenger trains and railtours.
During 1966, 60528 and later 60532 would move to Aberdeen Ferryhill and augment the LNER A4 Class locos in the final months of steam haulage on the Aberdeen - Glasgow Buchanan Street route.
The last A2 in service with British Railways was 60532, withdrawn in December 1966.
Scottish Region Class A2 Locomotives - Shed Allocation
1st No. | BR No. | Class | Name | New | 1948 | To ScR | 1952 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1966 | Withdrawn | |
| 2001 | 60501 | Class A2/2 | COCK O' THE NORTH | Sep-44 | ABD | - | (50A) | - | - | - | Feb-60 | (50A) | |
| 2002 | 60502 | Class A2/2 | EARL MARISCHAL | Jun-44 | ABD | - | (50A) | - | - | - | Jul-61 | (50A) | |
| 2003 | 60503 | Class A2/2 | LORD PRESIDENT | Dec-44 | HAY | - | (50A) | - | - | - | Nov-59 | (50A) | |
| 2004 | 60504 | Class A2/2 | MONS MEG | Nov-44 | HAY | - | (35A) | - | - | - | Jan-61 | (35A) | |
| 2005 | 60505 | Class A2/2 | THANE OF FIFE | Jan-43 | HAY | - | (35A) | - | - | - | Nov-59 | (35A) | |
| 2006 | 60506 | Class A2/2 | WOLF OF BADENOCH | Apr-44 | HAY | - | (35A) | - | - | - | Jan-61 | (35A) | |
| 3696 | 60507 | Class A2/1 | HIGHLAND CHIEFTAIN | May-44 | (KX) | Dec-49 | 64B | - | - | - | - | Dec-60 | 64A |
| 3698 | 60509 | Class A2/1 | WAVERLEY | Nov-44 | HAY | Mar-45 | 64B | - | - | - | - | Aug-60 | 64B |
| 3699 | 60510 | Class A2/1 | ROBERT THE BRUCE | Jan-45 | (DAR) | Mar-49 | 64B | - | - | - | - | Nov-60 | 64A |
| 512 | 60512 | Class A2/3 | STEADY AIM | Aug-46 | (HTN) | Dec-62 | (52B) | (50A) | 64A | 66A | - | Jun-65 | 62B |
| 519 | 60519 | Class A2/3 | HONEYWAY | Feb-47 | HAY | Feb-47 | 64B | 64A | - | - | - | Dec-62 | (50A) |
| 522 | 60522 | Class A2/3 | STRAIGHT DEAL | Jun-47 | (YK) | Dec-62 | (50A) | (50A) | 64A | 66A | - | Jun-65 | 66A |
| 524 | 60524 | Class A2/3 | HERRINGBONE | Jul-47 | (YK) | Dec-62 | (50A) | (50A) | 61B | 66A | - | Feb-65 | 66A |
| 525 | 60525 | Class A2 | A.H. PEPPERCORN | Dec-47 | (DON) | Sep-49 | 61B | 61B | 61B | - | - | Mar-63 | 61B |
| E527 | 60527 | Class A2 | SUN CHARIOT | Jan-48 | (GHD) | Jul-49 | 62B | 61B | 61B | 66A | - | Apr-65 | 66A |
| E528 | 60528 | Class A2 | TUDOR MINSTREL | Feb-48 | (GHD) | Jul-49 | 62B | 62B | 62B | 62B | 62B | Jun-66 | 61B |
| E529 | 60529 | Class A2 $ | PEARL DIVER | Feb-48 | HAY | Feb-48 | 64B | 64A | - | - | - | Dec-62 | 64A |
| E530 | 60530 | Class A2 | SAYAJIRAO | Mar-48 | (KX) | Jan-50 | 64B | 64A | 64A | 66A | 62B | Nov-66 | 62B |
| E531 | 60531 | Class A2 | BAHRAM | Mar-48 | (GHD) | Aug-49 | 61B | 61B | - | - | - | Dec-62 | (50A) |
| 60532 | 60532 | Class A2 $ | BLUE PETER | Mar-48 | (YK) | Nov-49 | 61B | 62B | 62B | 62B | 62B | Dec-66 | 61B |
| 60534 | 60534 | Class A2 | IRISH ELEGANCE | Apr-48 | (YK) | Nov-49 | 64B | 64A | - | - | - | Dec-62 | 64A |
| 60535 | 60535 | Class A2 | HORNET'S BEAUTY | May-48 | (YK) | Nov-49 | 64B | 64A | 64A | 66A | - | Jun-65 | 66A |
| 60536 | 60536 | Class A2 | TRIMBUSH | May-48 | (COP) | Nov-49 | 64B | 64A | - | - | - | Dec-62 | (50A) |
| 60537 | 60537 | Class A2 | BACHELOR'S BUTTON | Jun-48 | (COP) | Jul-49 | 64B | 64A | - | - | - | Dec-62 | 64A |
$ Double chimney fitted Sep.1949
Shed Codes:
Scottish Region:
61B - ABD - Aberdeen Ferryhill
62B - DEE - Dundee Tay Bridge
64A - STM - St Margarets, Edinburgh
64B - HAY - Haymarket, Edinburgh
66A - Polmadie, Glasgow
Eastern Region: 34A - KX - Kings Cross, London; 35A - NWE - New England, Peterborough; 37B - COP - Copley Hill, Leeds
North Eastern Region: 50A - YK - York; 52A - GHD - Gateshead; 52B - HTN - Heaton, Newcastle.
Preservation.
One class A2 loco survived, 60532 'Blue Peter'. On-loan to the North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group (NELPG), it returned to mainline running in the 1992 and visited Scotland several times in the following years.Preserved 60532 running in Scotland
| Date | Loco | Tour Name | Link | Route | Remarks | Photo | |||||||
| | |||||||||||||
| 18.Sep.1993 | 60532 | The Fair Maid | ~ | Carlisle - Kilmarnock - Perth - Edinburgh | SRPS railtours | Flickr, Flickr | |||||||
| 10.Oct.1993 | 60532 | The Queen of Scots | 6BellsJn | Edinburgh - Springburn - Edinburgh (x2) | E&G 150th Celebrations | Flickr | |||||||
| 17.Oct.1993 | 60532 | The Aberdonian | ~ | Linlithgow - Dunfermline - Perth | Dragged from Dunfermline by 56104 | Flickr, Flickr | |||||||
| 24.Oct.1993 | 60532 | Bo'ness Steam Gala | ~ | Bo'ness - Birkhill (and return) | ~ | Flickr, Flickr | |||||||
| | |||||||||||||
| xx.Jul.1994 | 60532 | (Loco + POB?) | ~ | Carlisle - Bo'ness | - | = | |||||||
| 21.Aug.1994 | 60532 | The Aberdonian | 6BellsJn | Stirling - Aberdeen (and return) | Nameplates changed colour at Aberdeen | Flickr, Flickr | |||||||
| 10.Sep.1994 | 60532 | Bo'ness Steam Gala | ~ | Bo'ness - Birkhill (and return) | Chimney at Bo'ness end. | Flickr | |||||||
| 01.Oct.1994 | 60532 | The Heart of Midlothian | 6BellsJn | Edinburgh - Durham | Failed on durham viaduct | Flickr | |||||||
| | |||||||||||||
| 22.Mar.1997 | 60532 | The Ayr Raider | 6BellsJn | Carlisle - Beattock - Paisley - Stevenston | Run by Pathfinder | RailScot, Photo | |||||||
| 60532 | The Ayr Raider | ~ | (Ayr) Falkland Yard - Kilmarnock - Carlisle | (37153 worked stock to Ayr) | ~ | ||||||||
| | |||||||||||||
| 21.Mar.1998 | 60532 | The Mid-day Scot | Uksteam | (Birmingham) Crewe - Motherwell | Run by 'Days Out Ltd' | = | |||||||
| 19.Apr.1998 | 60532 | Forty Years of Blue Peter | ~ | Edinburgh - Kings Cross | For BBC TV show | Flickr | |||||||
| | |||||||||||||
| 11.Jun.1999 | 60532 | (Private Charter) | UKsteam | Edinburgh - Dunfermline (ECS via Thornton Yd to Millerhill) | SRPS railtours | Flickr | |||||||
| 12.Jun.1999 | 60532 | Fife Coast Express | Thread | Edinburgh - Fife Circle (AM & PM) | SRPS railtours | Flickr | |||||||
| 27.Jun.1999 | 60532 | (B&KR) | ~ | Bo'ness - Birkhill (and return) | (with 51L shed plate) | = | |||||||
| 10.Jul.1999 | 60532 | SRPS railtours | UKsteam | Linlithgow - Edinburgh - Preston | SRPS railtours | = | |||||||
Photo Links
- Flickr: Three A2s at Polmadie shed, 1965
- Smugmug: 60528 at St Rollox Shed, 1966
- Flickr - 60530 at Dundee shed 1966
- Railscot: 60532 Buchanan St (with 61B shed plate) June 1966.
- Flickr: 60532 on Blue Peter Raitour, October 1966
- Railphotoprints: Gallery of A2 locos in BR service
See Also
- Wikipedia - LNER Peppercorn Class A2
- Wikipedia - LNER Thompson Class A2
- BR Database - LNER Thompson Class A2
- BR Database - LNER Peppercorn Class A2
- LNER encyclopedia - Peppercorn Class A2
- Preserved British Steam - 60532
- What Happened to Steam - LNER Pacific locos (Storage & scrapping records).
- Diary of Dundee driver Hoskins - LNER A2 Class