Two Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB) 2-6-4T Class 66 locomotives, designed for fast goods train and passenger train service, were built in 1955 as part of the DB's Neubaulok construction programme.

British Railways 2-6-4T Class Standard Four No. 80072 runs round its train at Ongar No 80079 and No 80080 at Tenby in October 1993 on a main line special from Swansea to Pembroke Dock and return.

The London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Fairburn Tank 2-6-4T is a class of steam locomotive. They were designed by Charles E. Fairburn for the LMS. 277 of these locomotives were built between 1945 and 1951, numbered in the range 42050–42186, (4)2187– (4)2299, (4)2673– (4)2699.

These very unusual tank engines hauled commuter trains between Reading Terminal in Philadelphia and Chestnut Hill. Note the very short tube length, relatively low drivers, and very wide (105" or 2,667 mm) Wootten firebox.

The 2-6-4T design that was to become a BR standard many years later was first introduced on the LMS by Fowler in 1927 as a locomotive for general passenger train usage with the 42300 class.

They proved to be a great success, capable of covering the 95 miles between Belfast and Londonderry without stopping for water as well as achieving speeds in excess of 80mph. As they did not need to be turned the engines could run round the trains and be ready for the return journey in ten minutes. The Irish locomotives were nicknamed jeeps.

These were 2-6-4T tank locomotives designed by the Railways Department's Chief Mechanical Engineer A. L. Beattie and NZR Chief Draftsman G.A. Pearson. With a maximum axle load of 9.3 tons, they were also light enough for branch line service.

They were excellent and popular engines and became the first in a long line of 2-6-4T locomotives to be built. The 42300 class had parallel boilers whilst all of the later designs had taper boilers.

Whilst memories of the use of heavy tank engines with leading pony trucks lingered on after the Sevenoaks disaster it was clear that the lastest LMS 2-6-4T locomotives seemed to have a good pedigree starting with the Fowler, through Stanier to the current design by Charles Fairburn.

Tank engines with the 2-6-4T wheel arrangement were produced for many different railway systems worldwide and were mainly used for freight and suburban passenger working.