The LMS Class 2 2-6-2 tank engines were designed by H. G. Ivatt and constructed between 1946 and 1952 to replace older locomotives. This versatile class was built primarily for branch line duties for which their Prairie wheelbase was well suited. Ivatt also included several labour-saving features such as self-cleaning ashpans and self cleaning smoke boxes to improve operating economies. Following an initial batch of ten locomo tives built by the LMS, British Railways decided to enlarge the class and a further 120 examples were built. During BR days, they were allocated to the LMR, SR and WR regions and were equally at home hauling passenger and goods services. The last member of the class was withdrawn in 1967, but four examples of this popular locomotive type have been preserved and all are presently operational.