4-6-2 Class A2/2 Thompson LNER Profile and Models

The Class A2/2 was a class of six 4-6-2 locomotives rebuilt by Edward Thompson from his predecessor's earlier Class P2 2-8-2 locomotives. Thompson originally wanted to produce new unstreamlined mixed-traffic variants of the Class A4 4-6-2 but due to time constraints it was decided to convert the earlier Class P2 locomotives instead. The P2 class had proven to be powerful and capable locomotives but were not well suited to their Edinburgh to Aberdeen route which caused many maintenance problems. The redesign aimed to resolve this, giving a more conventional 4-6-2 arrangement which would theoretically be more suitable for the winding route they were to work. The rebuilt A2/2 class steamed well and retained much of the power of the P2 class, their reduced weight also giving them a higher power to weight ratio. Unfortunately their success was hampered by various issues including lack of adhesion, unsafe riding at high speeds and general unreliability. They were all ultimately scrapped by the end of 1961.

(Information provided by Wikipedia)

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