Locomotives of the Great Northern Volume 3A 1896-1911 Ivatt

Description

Henry Ivatt was faced with a major challenge when he succeeded Patrick Stirling as Locomotive Engineer in 1896. Much increased train weights had led to late running expresses and expensive double-heading of both these and mineral workings. London suburban trains needed more capacity. With no available completed designs, the sensational and little-known purchase of American 2-6-0s was first adopted whilst Ivatt developed his plans. He designed a fleet of fourteen classes totaling 767 locomotives over a period of fifteen years which revolutionised operations. Most memorable were undoubtedly the first British 4-4-2 Atlantic designs.