MOVED - the best tank loco

[37b]

Going by what I pulled by in the 19fifties, I have to give an enormous vote for the Aspinall 2-4-2 tanks. These were incredibly powerfull engines, and were between 50 and 70 years old then. In my neck of the woods, they competed against various Stanier and Fowler tank egines - a lot younger, but nowhere near as fast. We used to nickname them coffeepots on account of the sound that they gave on the 'over-run'.
I have a soft spot for the N1's. A really sharp exhaust bark, particularly when attacking the bank out of Bradford Exchange!
Dave

[v3man]

I have a soft spot for the V1 and V3 tanks which we had around Edinburgh, a handsome compact design with the real Gresley 3cylinder beat and a fair turn of speed. The NBR N15 0-6-2s were interesting as well.

[Andy W]

Top of my list would be the GWR 45XX 2-6-2T which seems to very capable for its size and are regarded by ex-WR men that I speak to with amazing regard. They seem to be delighting a new generation of enginemen and the one that went to Poland a few years ago acquited itself very well indeed.

For the same good power/weight/acceleration ratio reason, I have a soft spot for the LSWR 02 0-4-4T and a welcome trip on the Isle of Wight in 2010 reinforced my liking for them. I was expecting an Austerity and got Calbourne ex works - result!

If I had to pick an industrial, the 16" Hunslet 0-6-0ST are pretty good (although I like Pecketts for their looks) and on the narrow gauge the BP 2-4-0T on the Isle of Man give good account of themselves. I await a possible future trip behind a County Donegal 2-6-4T in Ireland with baited breath even if this may take some years to come to pass.

But my favourite LNER tankie is a J52. Unfussy, unsung and an essential part of the GN scene. If I had a lottery win, apart from recreating a County Donegal Baltic tank, it would have to be a V3. Never saw one but they look the business.

[v3man]

Further to my comment on the V1s and V3s around Edinburgh I must admit to having been very surprised at the power and speed of the Fairburn 2-6-4 tanks when my grandparents moved to West Calder and I travelled behind the exLMS locos from Edinburgh Princes Street. But they didn't have six beats to the revolution!

[60129 GUY MANNERING]

Has to be the :- B.R. STANDARD CLASS 4MT 2-6-4T.

followed by the :- B.R. THOMPSON CLASS L1 2-6-4T.

and the :- L.N.E..R. CLASS A5 & A5/1 4-6-2T.

No Bias here.

[Mickey]

Nice to see the B.R. STANDARD CLASS 4MT 2-6-4T has a few fan's

Some of those G.W.R. tank engines that were built by Churchward and later Collett that were used for 'heavy hauling' coal & mineral trains around south Wales were interesting.

[harvester]

Fowler 2-6-4, the ones without full cab doors.

[52D]

The Knights of Sir Nigel are watching the heretical postings in this thread and will wreak vengeance against the disbelievers and those waverers who mention forbidden words.

[Manxman1831]

The ex-Great Central tank engines look the part - C13, N5, F1, F2 and not forgetting the powerful looking A5's.

[manna]

G'Day Gents

From what 'Tanks' that I can remember it would have to be, J52, N2 and J50, but I have a soft spot for the C12, I only saw one.

manna

[52D]

Yes manna Atlantic tanks of all pre grouping companies were handsome machines.

[mr B]

a nice little A8 any day, nice n' easy to work with, unlike the rubbish that replaced them.

mr B

[CVR1865]

Blackwall Tank J65. Perfectly proportioned and just look great.

Other than that an F4/5 not to forget a spot of bias with an F9.

[S.A.C. Martin]

Best actual tank engine - Gresley N2, and for me the preserved one. Was a beast on the GCR when I was in my last year of university, and at the MHR the drivers there loved it.

Best model of a tank engine? Thompson L1. No contest.

[pete2hogs]

N7? Lovely neat little engine, very powerful for its size.