LMS Stanier Mogul 13268

In 1933 the London, Midland and Scottish Railway identified a requirement for a further forty mixed traffic ‘Crab’ 2-6-0s of Hughes design to supplement the 245 examples already in service, and the new Chief Mechanical Engineer, William Stanier, decided to incorporate a GW-type taper boiler, new cylinders and other Swindon features, whilst retaining the basic ‘Crab’ layout. The forty locomotives, at first numbered 13245-84 and later 2945-84, suffered ‘teething troubles’ until certain boiler design improvements were made. The engines then ran a varied yet unspectacular career, though they could give enginemen a rough ride on faster passenger trains, and suffered through constant comparison with the outstandingly successful Stanier class 5 4-6-0s, introduced from the same stable just over one year later.

As 13268, this engine was completed at Crewe Works in January 1934, and was based at a number of sheds over the years. It was re-numbered 2968 in 1935, and 42968 after nationalisation of the railways in 1948. Its final shed was Springs Branch, Wigan, from which it withdrawn in December 1966.  It was sold for scrap to Woodham Brothers’ yard at Barry Docks, where it became the sole survivor of the type.

In 1971, the `Stanier Mogul Fund‘ was formed with the aim of preserving 42968 in running order; it was purchased outright in 1973, and moved to Bridgnorth; after protracted efforts, it returned to steam at Bridgnorth in 1990, and entered passenger service in 1991.

Apart from times out of traffic for overhauls, it saw considerable use until 2013, including on mainline railtours, numbered at different times as 2968 as well as 42968; following a heavy overhaul, it returned to traffic in 2023 painted as 2968, but in April 2024 it emerged from the paint shop as number 13268 for the first time in over 80 years!