Thompson A2’s

[TravisM]

With Hornby announcing the Thompson A2/2 and A2/3, as a non LNER or steam man, I was wondering what the difference is between a A2 as produced by Bachmann and the Hornby A2’s.  I appreciate that the A2/2’s were rebuilt from Gresley’s P2’s, so there will be noticeable differences but what about the A2/3’s?  As A2’s and A2/3’s were designed by Thompson, is there any difference?

[TravisM]

After a quick bit of research, I now realise that the A2’s were built during Peppercorn’s tenure but to an improvement on Thompson’s design.  So was there any noticeable differences?

[bike2steam]

Most noticeable, the position of the cylinders.   https://www.lner.info/locos/A/a2_1.php.

Edited January 11, 2020 by bike2steam

[doilum]

Grenade on the table!

Peppercorns Pacific's were the most handsome of all British locomotives. Thompson had to make do with wartime recycling and austerity. Discuss..............

[slilley]

Ok here goes.

 

A2. Designed by Peppercorn, only the first 2 were LNER stock, the rest were delivered post nationalisation.  Outside cylinders in a conventional position. Wedge shape cab. All had single chimneys when built, bar 60539 the last one which was double chimney from new.  Some had double chimneys and MLS multiple valve reulators from 1949 including 60532 Blue Peter.

 

A2/1. Thompson design. Locomotives originally to be V2s but design modified to be 4-6-2s . Outside cylinders further back than usual. Ran originally with 4200 tenders and small smokebox mounted deflectors. No 507 had the 8 wheeled tender from the bombed A4 4462. The rest were given 8 wheeled tenders built from scratch. Large deflectors fitted circa 1947. Double chimney from new. Two styles used. Wedge style cab as per V2.

 

A2/2. Thompson design rebuilt from P2. Small smokebox mounted deflectors. Outside cylinders further back than usual. Wedge style cab. Double chimney from start. Two styles used.

 

A2/3. Thompson new design, originally designated A2. Redesignated A2/3 in April 1947. Large deflectors fitted. Outside cylinders further back than usual. Double chimney from start. Two styles used. Cab reverted to a flat front, rather than the wedge shape then more in vogue. With some manipulation No 500 Edward Thompson was the 2000th locomotive built at Doncaster. Round domed boilers, Diagram 117 when new, some had banjo domed Diagram 118 boilers in later life.

 

Hope this helps

 

Simon

Edited January 11, 2020 by slilley