LNER Class V1/V3

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LNER Class V1/V3
LNER Class V1/V3
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Power type Steam
Type of service Passenger
Builder LNER Flag of England ENG
Build date V1: 1930–39
V3: 1939–40
Total production (V1) 82
(V3) 10
Configuration 2-6-2T
UIC classification 1C1'h3t
Gauge 4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm)
Trucks (Bogies) (front) double swing link; (rear) radial
Leading wheel size 3 ft 2 in (970 mm)
Driver size 5 ft 8 in (1,700 mm)
Trailing wheel size 3 ft 8 in (1,100 mm)
Wheelbase 32 ft 3 in (9.83 m)
Axle load V1: 19.25 long tons (19,560 kg)
V3: 20 long tons (20,000 kg)
Total weight V1: 57.05 long tons (57,970 kg)
V3: 58.1 long tons (59,000 kg)
Fuel type Coal
Fuel capacity 4 long tons (4,100 kg) (4.5 long tons (4,600 kg) with hopper-type bunker)
Water capacity 2,000 imp gal (9,100 L)
Boiler pressure V1: 180 psi (1,200 kPa)
V3: 200 psi (1,400 kPa)
Fire grate area 22.08 square feet (2.051 m²)
Heating surface: Tubes 830 square feet (77 m²)
Heating surface: Flues 368 square feet (34.2 m²)
Heating surface: Firebox 127 square feet (11.8 m²)
Heating surface: Total 1,609 square feet (149.5 m²)
Superheater type Robinson
Superheater area 284 square feet (26.4 m²)
Cylinders 3
Cylinder size 16 in (410 mm) bore × 26 in (660 mm) stroke
Valve gear Outside: Walschaerts valve gear;
inside: Gresley derived motion
Tractive effort V1: 22,464 pounds-force (99.92 kN)
V3: 24,960 pounds-force (111.0 kN)
Locomotive brakes steam
Train brakes vacuum
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The London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) Class V1 and Class V3 were two classes of related 2-6-2T steam locomotive designed by Sir Nigel Gresley.[1] A total of 82 V1s were built with 71 being rebuilt into the higher pressure V3s with a additional ten being built as V3s from the final batch of V1s. The V3 was a development of the V1 with increased boiler pressure and a resultant increase in tractive effort.

Contents

[edit] Development history

The development of large tank engines was somewhat delayed by problems on the Southern Railway following the Sevenoaks derailment thought to have been caused by the instability of the large K class 2-6-4 tanks. Gresley carried out stability tests on one of these locomotives and finding no trouble and without further delay produced his sophisticated VI class suburban tank in 1930. This incorporated his 3-cylinder system and was the first example of all three cylinders and valve chests being incorporated into a single steel casting[2]; this arrangement was used for the P2 Cock o' the North and the subsequent V2, K4 and V4 types.

[edit] Construction history

A total of 71 V1s were built at Doncaster from 1930.

[edit] Operational history

They were first used in Scotland on the Glasgow-Edinburgh - Helensburgh services. One, no 2911 was also tried in 1931 with excellent results on the Hitchin-London trains before returning to Scotland.

[edit] Later development of the V3

From 1939, with working pressure increased to 200 psi gave higher power and better acceleration. A number of V1s were rebuilt to conform[3]. French-style hopper type coal bunker were also fitted. By 1956 there were 57 V1 and 35 V3 types in service [4], many on Newcastle-Middlesborough services. During World War Two a number were transferred to help with the heavy wartime loads from the ROF factory at Thorp Arch until the end of the war.

In all the V1 and V3s were hard working engines suited to the suburban workings. Some of the class were displaced from their sheds by the newer Thompson L1 class, a 2-cylinder 2-6-4T design based on the V1 and V3.

Withdrawal of the V1 and V3 began in 1960 with the V1s being disposed of by 1962 and the V3s by 1964 as they were replaced by DMUs and the new line of diesels that were becoming ever more common as the modernisation plan came into effect.

None of either class survived to be preserved.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Marsden, Richard. The Gresley V1 and V3 2-6-2T Prairie Tank Locomotives. The LNER Encyclopedia. Retrieved on 2007-04-08.
  2. ^ Brown, F.A.S: Nigel Gresley, Locomotive Engineer (Ian Allan, London, UK, 1961), pp.107-108
  3. ^ Brown, F.A.S: Nigel Gresley, Locomotive Engineer (Ian Allan, London, UK, 1961), pp.186-187
  4. ^ Ian Allan ABCof British Railways Locomotives