The Ivatt Diesel Recreation Society (IDRS) has released details of the LMS 10000’s appearance at the ‘Greatest Gathering’.

Background

Two engines, known as the LMS Twins, numbers 10000 and 10001, were pioneer British mainline diesel locomotives.

They were designed and built by H G Ivatt, the last Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London, Midland and Scottish (LMS), working closely with English Electric.

In December 1947, no. 10000 rolled out of Derby works.

The LMS Twins were locomotives of the steam age, and were serviced alongside Stanier’s Pacifics and Black Fives. They were vacuum-braked, two-person-crewed, and water-scoop fitted.

The two locomotives show that diesel electric power was a viable match for steam power. They worked together on Euston-Glasgow ‘Royal Scot’ expresses, and worked individually on Class 5 mixed traffic.

Their English electric prime mover was the 16SVT 16-cylinder ‘V’ four-stroke diesel. It proved so successful that its derivatives powered later diesel electric classes, including 08, 20, 31, 37, 40 and 50.

The LMS Twins operated before the first of the BR Standard steam locos, and were still running in 1961, which was after the final build of 999 new steam locomotives. The Twins were withdrawn and scrapped in the 1960s. By then, they had served for almost forty years.

The Ivatt Diesel Recreation Society is building the third locomotive of this design. It has obtained an English Electric 16SVT power unit. Now being kept in warm storage, the power unit was part of the 1947 batch. It is in great condition with low running hours.

The bogies are ex-EM2 (class 77). This is the same design, but will need stronger suspension to allow for the new diesel’s greater weight.

The chassis is from a class 58. It has been stripped and is ready to be plasma-cut to shape and then fitted to the bogies. An adapter plate will be used to carry out this work. It has been designed and a wooden mockup created, which will be on display at the Greatest Gathering.

Exhibits

The exhibits at the Greatest Gathering are:

• Artwork by Mark Langley, Artist. A 10*10 foot life-size sketch and painting of 10000’s cab seen at Derby Works [main photo].
• Traction motor 1, stripped for evaluation by IDRS volunteers, then repainted.
• Traction motor 7, in working order, which has been tested and repainted for exhibition.
• Wooden mockup of the adapter plate, matching the ex-EM2 bogies to the class 58 chassis.
• English Electric 16SVT mk2 cylinder head, refurbished with thanks to Nemesis Rail [photo above].
• A refurbished ex-EM2 axle box [photo below].
• A rebuilt motor contactor may be included in the exhibition. This is an electrical switch used for control, connecting or disconnecting electric motors and other load devices to the power supply.
• Original artwork: Works photo of 10000 signed by Mr H G Ivatt; painting of 10000 by Ian Walmsley; painting of 10000/1 on Shap by Mark Langley; 10000’s “LMS” body-side letters.
• Original parts from locomotive 10000: works plate, LMS body-side letters, and horns.

Current developments

The IDRS is currently completing drawings. It has signed a CAD contract, which forms part of the accreditation process to allow the locomotive to be hauled on Network Rail.

It is also refurbishing the electrical cubicle, using parts from classes 56 and 58.

The Society is also evaluating six traction motors before refurbishing them.

Seeking volunteers

The IDRS is seeking more trustees and skilled volunteers before its AGM in November.

There are openings for new team members with skills in:

• article writing and advertising
• bookkeeping
• fundraising
• technical drawing
• CAD
• project planning
• procurement and subcontract management.