The LMS did trial the S&D 7F 2-8-0 on the Toton-Brent coal trains in 1926/27 against the LNWR 0-8-0 which led to Fowler designing his 0-8-0. Hot axle boxes plagued both the triallists - the LMS seemed "glued" to using the 4F axleboxes for some reason. In 1931 a further trial took place. Once again hot axleboxes were a persistent problem, So the LMS designed the Garratts for the coal trains. These in turn inherited the 4F axleboxes. Why the drawing office at Derby were so marrried to the axleboxes I don't think has ever been explained. It was not as if Derby were that short-sighted in terms of engineering design (some may dispute this) for they put long-travel valves on the Fowler 0-8-0 and the Garratts.
Geoff
Geoff
