Locomotives of the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway

Initially, the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway (LTSR) hired Great Eastern Railway (GER) locomotives, but from 1880 acquired their own. The LTSR principally operated tank engines, which it named after towns on the route. The railway's first locomotive superintendent was Thomas Whitelegg, who in 1910 was succeeded by his son Robert. The LTSR became part of the Midland Railway (MR) in 1912, but nevertheless continued to be operated independently. The Midland removed locomotive names and renumbered engines. The Midland and it successor the LMS continued to build some designs. Steam locomotives are divided into the following classes:

• LT&SR 1 Class — 4-4-2T 36 locomotives built 1880–1892 and withdrawn 1929–1936.
• LT&SR 37 Class — 4-4-2T 12 locomotives built 1897–1898, and withdrawn 1951–1952.
• LT&SR 49 Class 0-6-0 2 locomotives built 1899 and withdrawn 1933 and 1936.
• LT&SR 51 Class 4-4-2T 18 locomotives built 1900–1903 and withdrawn 1947–1953.
• LT&SR 69 Class 0-6-2T 14 locomotives built 1903–1912 and withdrawn 1958–1962.
• LT&SR 79 Class 4-4-2T 4 locomotives built 1909, and withdrawn 1951–1956.
• LT&SR 2100 Class 4-6-4T 8 locomotives built 1912, and withdrawn 1929–1934.

The LTSR 37, 51, and 79 classes were similar, with the 51 class being lighter (67.80 long tons or 68.89 tonnes) than the other two (71.50–71.75 long tons or 72.65–72.90 tonnes).

The LMS perpetuated the design and built 35 more between 1923–1930. They were withdrawn between 1951 and 1960.

Preservation

One of the 79 Class, No. 80 Thundersley has been preserved.

Further reading

• Bob Essery The London, Tilbury and Southend Railway and its Locomotives, OPC (2001) ISBN 0860935612
• Bob Essery and David Jenkinson An Illustrated History of LMS locomotives. Volume 4. Absorbed Pre-Group Classes Midland Division ISBN 0947971165