The Midland Railway 483 Class 4-4-0 was a pivotal series of steam locomotives designed by Henry Fowler for passenger operations on the Midland Railway. Despite being initially regarded as “rebuilds” of earlier classes designed by Samuel W. Johnson, they were essentially ‘accountancy rebuilds,’ a strategy to gain approval for new locomotives under the guise of rebuilds. This ingenious approach allowed for the construction of essentially new engines while navigating financial constraints.

Construction of the first batch of this class was authorized in 1911, initiating a series of rebuilds that lasted until 1924. These locomotives underwent significant modifications, including the installation of new frames, cylinders, and G7 boilers with Schmidt’s superheaters. This process effectively transformed them into the Class 483, laying the groundwork for the later LMS Class 2P 4-4-0.

The 483 Class comprised locomotives from various number series, including those originally built between 1882 and 1901, as well as engines built for the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway between 1914 and 1921. The introduction of superheaters and adjustments to cylinder sizes and driving wheels marked the key changes made during the rebuilding process.

These were RHD and had 7′ 0 wheels.

  • 40322 ex S&D No. 39
  • 40323 ex S&D No. 40
  • 40324 ex S&D No. 41
  • 40325 ex S&D No. 42
  • 40326 ex S&D No. 43

40505

  • Built for Midland Railway in 1899 by Sharp Stewart & Co.
  • 7ft 0½ driving wheels
  • Templecome Al. 01 09 1950
  • 1950 06 27 Templecombe (ColourRail)
  • Allocated to Templecombe in April 1951.
  • Withdrawn November 1953.

40509

  • Built for Midland Railway in 1899 by Sharp Stewart & Co.
  • 7ft 0½ driving wheels
  • Templecome Al. 01 09 1950
  • BGP L55/E55
  • 1950 03 4 Winsor Hill piloting Black Five 44839 TS&DitFp1
  • Allocated to Bath Green Park in June 1955
  • 1955 06 25 Chilcompton (ColourRail)
  • 1957 06 00 Withdrawn from Bath Green Park

40527

  • BGP L55/E55
  • 1953 11 00 Allocated to Templecombe from Chester (Northgate) to replace 40505.
  • 1954 05 15 Templecombe (ColourRail)
  • 1955 06 00 Allocated to Bath Green Park
  • 1956 00 00 Withdrawn from Bath Green Park

40537

  • 1961 00 00 Templecombe (ColourRail)
  • 1962 03 00 Allocated to Templecombe from Leamington Spa
  • 1962 07 00 Withdrawn from Templecombe

More Information

  • Author Unknown. “The Midland And LMS 2P 4-4-0s.” BackTrack, vol. 15, no. 4, 2001, pp. 218-219.
  • Curtis, Bob. “2Ps and the S&D – An Unlikely but Successful Marriage, Part 1.” Pines Express, no. 308, pp 4 – 8.
  • Curtis, Bob. “2Ps and the S&D – An Unlikely but Successful Marriage, Part 2.” Pines Express, no. 309, pp 4 – 11.
  • Curtis, Bob. “2P No. 40537 – A Riddle Wrapped in Mystery.” Pines Express, no. 310, pp. 4-7.
  • Handley, Chris. “Locomotive Allocations of the S & D: The S&D 4-4-0 Tender Locomotives Part 1, The Early Years.” Bulletin, no. 128, May-June 1985, pp. 6-8.
  • Handley, Chris. “Locomotive Allocations of the S & D: The S&D 4-4-0 Tender Locomotives Part 2, The 1930s and 1940s.” Bulletin, no. 130, September-October 1985, pp. 4-5.
  • Handley, Chris. “Locomotive Allocations of the S & D: The S&D 4-4-0 Tender Locomotives Part 3, 1948-1962.” Bulletin, no. 132, January-February 1986, pp. 4-5.
  • Rutherford, M. “Profile: 2P Or Not 2P.” Modelling Railways Illustrated, vol. 3, no. 4, 1995, pp. 174-179.