British Mixed Traffic Locomotives of the 20th Century: Great Western & LMS Railway Designs

In the early days 0-6-0s of both tender and tank design were 'general utility' engines performing all duties except express passenger services. By the end of the nineteenth century most railways were designing locos for more specific work and at the beginning of the twentieth century the need for faster freight overnight services led to the design of engines with larger wheel diameter that were not only fit for these services but for slower passenger services. The need for smaller wheeled engines for mineral and other heavy freight services created the need for more specialist locos for that activity. Most railways moved from the 4-4-0 design for general utility work to the 2-6-0 or 4-6-0 wheel arrangement and the introduction of Churchward's 43XX mogul in 1911 was recognised as a truly mixed traffic loco. This book covers the basic design, history, operation and performance of all the mixed traffic classes of the former Great Western and London Midland and Scottish Railways and their predecessors.