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Ivatt Class 2MT 2-6-0 Steam Locomotive 46521 Heritage & Preserved Steam Locomotive Engines My Archive Steam Photos from the 1960s Trainspot locations  *  TOPS class links A history of steam locomotive 46521 My Main Railways Index Nostalgic Steam Train Photos from the 1960s Email: chem55555@hotmail.com [Author and photographer © Dr Phil Brown PhD plus help from AI these days, page updated May13th 2026] BR Standard Class 2MT 2-6-0 No. 46521 in the Loughborough Works Yard on the Great Central Railway  (GCR, 2017)  (photo courtesy of Kentish Bob YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@kentishbob6423 ) BR Standard Class 2 2-6-0 No. 46521 46521 is one of the 128 Ivatt 2MT Moguls built between 1946 and 1953, and one of only seven preserved. Constructed at Swindon Works in February 1953, she spent her British Railways career in the Cambrian region of Wales before withdrawal, scrap-yard retirement, and eventual preservation on heritage lines. 1. Building and Early BR Service (1953–1966) of BR Standard Class 2 2-6-0 No. 46521 Built at BR Swindon Works on 19 February 1953. Designer: H. G. Ivatt. Allocated to the Cambrian region throughout her BR career, performing mixed-traffic duties on secondary lines in mid-Wales. Notable working: swept the Royal Train during Queen Elizabeth II’s 1963 visit to North Wales after overhaul at Crewe. Withdrawn 29 October 1966; moved to Barry scrapyard in March 1967. 2. Preservation and Heritage Railway Career of BR Standard Class 2 2-6-0 No. 46521 Severn Valley Railway (1971–2000) Purchased from Woodham Brothers, Barry, by Charles Newton in 1969. Arrived SVR in early 1971; restoration completed July 1974. Hauled regular passenger trains and gala services until boiler ticket expiry in 1984. Major overhaul 1988–1991, returned to service for SVR’s 1992 150th anniversary main-line specials. Covered over 84,000 miles on SVR before withdrawal in November 2000. Great Central Railway (2001–Present) Moved to GCR in early 2001 for overhaul. Returned to traffic in June 2012, regularly hauling passenger services and gala trains until 2022. Undergoing its latest 10-year major overhaul as of 2025. 3. Shed Allocations of BR Standard Class 2 2-6-0 No. 46521 Oswestry (Cambrian region) February 1953 – May 1956 Brecon June 1956 – April 1960 Machynlleth May 1960 – July 1965 Returned to Oswestry July 1965 – October 1966 (withdrawal) 4. Technical Specifications of BR Standard Class 2 2-6-0 No. 46521 Feature Specification Wheel arrangement 2-6-0 Driving wheel diameter 5 ft 0 in Cylinders Two, inside; 16 7⁄8 in × 24 in Boiler pressure 200 psi Tractive effort 18,510 lbf Boiler type BR Standard No. 2 Grate area 17 sq ft Firebox heating surface 101 sq ft Superheater area 124 sq ft Total heating surface 1,004 sq ft Water capacity (tender) 3,500 gal Coal capacity (tender) 4 tons Length over buffers 53 ft 1¾ in Locomotive weight 47 tons 2 cwt 5. Heritage and Operational Highlights of BR Standard Class 2 2-6-0 No. 46521 One of only seven surviving LMS Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0s. Royal Train working, 1963, North Wales. Star role as “Blossom” in BBC’s Oh, Doctor Beeching! (1995–1997). Officially named Blossom in February 1997 by actor Steven Lewis. Main-line certified for charters in 1992 and guest appearances on preserved main lines. 6. Liveries, Numbers, and Names of BR Standard Class 2 2-6-0 No. 46521 BR lined green with early crest (1953–late 1950s). BR lined black with late crest (1960s withdrawal era). SVR preservation: BR lined green with late crest (1974–1984; 1991–2000). GCR preservation: unlined BR black with late crest (2012–2022). Number 46521 has remained constant throughout BR and preservation. Name “Blossom” carried ceremonially on cabside from 1997 onward. Additional insight: many preserved Ivatt Moguls now rotate through boiler pools rather than fixed-shed allocations. 46521’s current overhaul at GCR will fit her with a new welded firebox, asbestos-free lagging, and updated safety valves, ensuring she can continue hauling heritage services into the 2030s. * * Steam locomotive 46521 now in BR green livery, at Loughborough station with the GCR "The South Yorkshireman" dining train (Sept. 2017)           46521 in the GCR workshops and shed yard at Loughborough, in green livery (date ?).   Loco 46521 now seems to be all back together and painted in British Railways black livery (GCR Loughborough July 2015)   Ivatt Class Mogul 2F/2MT 2-6-0 locomotive 46517 at Springs Branch Locomotive Depot, Wigan (pictured in October 1966) wearing green livery like 46521 is toady! 46521 would have been built at the same time. Class 2MT, 2-6-0 steam locomotive design by Ivatt, 46521 was built at Swindon Works in 1953. Technical detail specifications of locomotive 46521: Boiler pressure of 46521: 200 lbf/sq.in., Weight of 46521: locomotive 48.5 tons tender 37.15 tons, Wheel diameter of 46521: 3'  & 5', Valve gear of 46521: Walschaerts - piston valves, Cylinders (16.5" diameter x 24" stroke, 2 outside cylinders, Tractive effort of 46521:18510  lbf., BR Power classification of 46521: Class 2MT, Route availability RA ? A history of Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 locomotive 46521 Ivatt 2MT 2‑6‑0 No. 46521 is one of the most historically interesting of the LMS/BR Ivatt Moguls — a class designed for light mixed‑traffic work and affectionately known as the “Mickey Mouse” engines. Below is a full, structured historical account of the locomotive, synthesising all available sourced information. 46521 was built at Swindon in February 1953, worked almost entirely in the Cambrian region of Wales, was withdrawn in 1966, rescued from Barry scrapyard in 1969, restored for long service on the Severn Valley Railway (1974–2000), then moved to the Great Central Railway where it has operated since 2012 and is currently under overhaul. 1. Origins and Design Context of Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 locomotive 46521 46521 belongs to the LMS Ivatt Class 2 2‑6‑0, designed by H. G. Ivatt as a modern light mixed‑traffic locomotive to replace ageing 0‑6‑0s. Key design features: Tender version of the Ivatt 2‑6‑2T. Greater range than the tank engines (3,000 gal water, 4 tons coal). Later BR‑built examples (including 46521) incorporated improvements such as increased cylinder diameter and draughting modifications. A total of 128 Ivatt Moguls were built between 1946–1953; 46521 was among the final Swindon batch. 2. Construction of 46521 (1953) Built: 19 February 1953 at BR Swindon Works. Cost: £13,756 (GCR source). Batch: Final 25 locomotives (46503–46527), all Swindon‑built. Modifications vs earlier builds: +½‑inch cylinder diameter Modified blast pipe Taller chimney These refinements improved performance and draughting. 3. British Railways Service Career of Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 locomotive 46521 (1953–1966) Allocations and Duties 46521 spent almost its entire BR career in Wales, working secondary and branch‑line mixed‑traffic duties in the Cambrian region. Oswestry: Feb 1953 → May 1956 Brecon: June 1956 → April 1960 Machynlleth: May 1960 → July 1965 Return to Oswestry: July 1965 → Withdrawal (Oct 1966) Notable Event — Royal Train Duties (1963) After a heavy overhaul at Crewe (30 April–1 June 1963), 46521 was used for positioning moves and overnight steam heating for the Royal Train during Queen Elizabeth II’s three‑day visit to North Wales in August 1963. Withdrawal Withdrawn: 29 October 1966 To Barry Scrapyard: March 1967 Unusually, it still retained its original boiler on arrival at Barry. 4. Preservation Story of Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 locomotive 46521 Rescue from Barry (1969–1971) Purchased in 1969 by SVR member Charles Newton. Initial cosmetic and mechanical stabilisation carried out at Barry. Moved by rail to the Severn Valley Railway on 20 March 1971. 5. Severn Valley Railway Career (1971–2000) First Restoration Completed: July 1974 Entered regular SVR service: 1974–1984 Duties: passenger trains, galas, and special events. Second Overhaul Overhaul: 1988–1991 Returned to service: 1991 Ran on BR metals during SVR’s 150th anniversary events in 1992. Third Ticket and Withdrawal Operated until 18 December 2000 Total SVR mileage: 84,031 miles Cultural Note 46521 gained national fame as “Blossom” in the BBC sitcom Oh, Doctor Beeching! (1995–1997). 6. Great Central Railway Career of Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 locomotive 46521 (2001–Present) Move to GCR Transferred to the Great Central Railway in November 2001 for overhaul. Joint ownership: Charles Newton & Loughborough Standard Locomotives Group. Return to Service Re-entered traffic: 2012 Operated reliably until 2022, visiting multiple heritage railways. Currently undergoing a major overhaul (as of 2025). 7. Technical Summary of Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 locomotive 46521 (46521) Feature Specification Wheel arrangement 2‑6‑0 Mogul Designer H. G. Ivatt Built 19 Feb 1953, Swindon BR Power Class 2MT Cylinders 16½ in × 24 in (Swindon batch) Boiler pressure 200 psi Tractive effort 18,510 lbf Water capacity 3,000–3,500 gal (sources vary slightly) Coal capacity 3–4 tons Length 53 ft 1¾ in 8. Historical Significance of Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 locomotive 46521 46521 is notable for: Being one of only seven preserved Ivatt Moguls. Its Cambrian working life, typical of the class’s intended role. Its Royal Train involvement in 1963. Its long and active preservation career across two major heritage railways. Its cultural role in Oh, Doctor Beeching!. My Archive Steam Photos from the 1960s Luxury rail tours of Scotland Rail holidays in Continental Europe Luxury train travel bookings Trips on Scotland's heritage railways rail tours of Wales Railway tours in France Germany Austria Switzerland America USA Canada  Trips on Welsh heritage railways Trans-continental journeys by luxury train great steam trains of Europe Trips on England's heritage railways railway Trips on UK heritage railways steam tours in Europe railway tours of Spain Sweden Finland Norway Luxury rail tours of Ireland docspics images of 46521 steam trains photos of 46521 steam trains photographs of 46521 steam trains pictures of 46521 steam trains © Dr Phil Brown * Treyn Railway Holidays to France, Italy and Spain from 46521 steam trains Booking tickets for Great Railway Journey luxury Rail Trip holidays Train travel in Europe Rail holidays from 46521 steam trains to the USA & Canada luxury train through the Rocky Mountain Canadian rail railway holidays through the Rockies US Cities by train from 46521 steam trains  Continental rail holidays to France Germany Italy Austria Switzerland Glacier Express Treyn Holidays from 46521 steam trains from Eurostar to Paris Brussels Avignon Turin Turino Rome Roma Florence Firenze TGV fast trains Railway travel holidays special steam excursions from 46521 steam trains great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains 46521 steam trains Travelling by train always seems a pleasure, especially if through wonderful scenery  to 46521 steam trains in England, Scotland, Wales or on holiday in the rest of Europe! The railway trip from 46521 steam trains involves seeing or travelling behind a 'real' steam locomotive in action and there is nothing like the sight and sounds of a steam train to invoke feelings of nostalgia in some of us to 46521 steam trains even more luxury by having a special trip out on a steam dining train! England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland top class hotels in 46521 steam trains dining out travel tours top tourist destinations tourist information on 46521 steam trains weekend breaks mini-breaks family holidays restaurants touring coach trips from 46521 steam trains continental tours cruise ships pleasure cruises summer breaks spring breaks continental winter breaks European winter holidays spring holidays summer holidays European Rail tours Railway travel holidays special steam excursions from 46521 steam trains A great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains European Rail tours US and Canadian Railway travel holidays special steam excursions to 46521 steam trains A great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains Travelling by train from 46521 steam trains always seems a pleasure, especially if through wonderful scenery either in England, Scotland, Wales or on holiday in the rest of the railways of Europe! The railway trip involves seeing or travelling behind a 'real' steam locomotive or heritage diesel in action on a special trip from 46521 steam trains Booking Eurostar Continental Rail Travel Tour Tickets Stuttgart Brussels Eurostar Brussels from 46521 steam trains by TGV to Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International Stratford International, St Pancras International Paris Gare du Nord Paris Gare de Lyon Paris Gare de L'est Paris Gare Montparnasse by Eurostar from 46521 steam trains London to Paris, Eurostar London - Brussels Eurostar London to Lille deals bargain city breaks 46521 steam trains Great Railway Journey holidays in Italy, Spain and France by TGV booking from 46521 steam trains Booking Eurostar Continental Rail Travel Tour Tickets to the Continent  eg Paris Brussels Avignon or railway tours across France, Holland, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Russia, Asia or China for a travel spectacular 46521 steam trains Good trainspotting 'TRAINSPOTS' Good trainspotting and photographic locations  Barnetby Station, North Lincolnshire  *  Carlisle Station  *  Clapham Junction Station, London  *  Colton Junction, south of York  *  Crewe Station  *  Doncaster Station, South Yorkshire  * Hellifield station - Carlisle to Settle line * Lancaster station  * Newcastle Station  *  Northallerton Station  *  Nuneaton Station  *  Sheffield Station  *  Stratford Station, East London * Warrington Bank Quay station * Wigan North Western - WCML *  York Station See other TOPS classes indexes of diesels and electrics * Class 01 * Class 02 * Class 03 * Class 04 * Class 08 * Class 09 * Class 10 * Class 11 * Class 14 * Class 20 * Class 24 * Class 25 * Class 26 * Class 27 * Class 31 * Class 33 * Class 35 * Class 37 * Class 40 * Class 43 * Class 44 * Class 45 * Class 47 * Class 50 * Class 52 * Class 55 * Class 56 * Class 57 * Class 58 *  Class 60 * Class 66 * Class 67 * Class 68 * Class 70 * Class 71 * Class 73 * Class 76 * Class 77 *  Class 84 * Class 86 * Class 87 * Class 88 * Class 90 * Class 91 * Class 92 * Derby Lightweight * Class 101 * Class 108 * Class 114 * Class 117 * Class 120 * Class 121 * Class 122 * Class 127 * Class 141 * Class 142 * Class 144 * Class 150 * Class 153 * Class 155 * Class 156 * Class 158 * Class 159 * Class 165 * Class 166 * Class 170 * Class 172 * Class 175 * Class 180 * Class 185 * Class 195  * Class 196 * Class 197 * Class 220 * Class 221 * Class 222 * Class 252 * Class 313 * Class 315 * Class 317 * Class 319 * Class 320 * Class 321 * Class 322 * Class 323 * Class 325 * Class 331 * Class 332 * Class 333 * Class 334 * Class 350 * Class 357 * Class 360 * Class 365 * Class 373 * Class 375 * Class 376 * Class 377 * Class 378 * Class 379 * Class 380 * Class 387 * Class 390 * Class 395 * Class 414 * Class 423 * Class 442 * Class 444 * Class 450 * Class 455 * Class 458 * Class 460 * Class 465 * Class 466 * Class 489 * Class 507/508 * Class 700 * Class 730  * Class 755 * Class 800 * Class 801 * Class 802 * Class 803 *  Class 805 * Class 3000 * IMAGES OF PRESERVED STEAM LOCOMOTIVES