The smallest tank locomotive of the BR standard program was the class 2 tank with a 2-6-2T wheel arrangement. It was derived from the LMS Ivatt class 2 2-6-2T and intended for mixed traffic. It had a smaller loading gauge than its LMS prototype and had a number of standard fittings. A very similar standard locomotive was the class 2 2-6-0.
Since there were already 130 Ivatt 2-6-2T, BR only ordered 30 of the standard type. The first 20 were built in Crewe and used in former LMS area. The other ten were built in Darlington and used in the Southern region. After they also came to other regions, their service life ended between 1963 and 1966. Since none were preserved, the Bluebell Railway is now rebuilding 2-6-0 No. 78059 into 2-6-2T No. 84030.