LNER Class V2

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LNER Class V2

60876 on no.9 road at Annesley MPD, 6 May 1962.
Power type	Steam
Designer	Sir Nigel Gresley
Builder	LNER Doncaster and Darlington Works
Build date	1936–1944
Total production	184
Configuration	2-6-2
UIC classification	1'C1'
Gauge	4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm)
Axle load	22 long tons (22.4 t)
Fuel type	Coal
Cylinders	3
Class	LNER: V2 BR: 6MT
Retired	1962–1966

60828 leaves Annesley yard 8 May 1964 with a freight train.

60975 at Newstead.

The London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) Class V2 2-6-2 steam locomotives were designed by Sir Nigel Gresley for express mixed traffic work, and built between 1936–1944. The best known is the first of the class, 4771 (later 800 and 60800) Green Arrow, which is the only preserved example.

[edit] Construction

The V2s were the only major class of 2-6-2 tender locomotives used in Britain. Whilst 2-6-2T tank locomotives were common in the UK, the only other 2-6-2 tender locomotives were the unsuccessful experimental Midland Railway Paget locomotive of 1908, and the two examples of Gresley's LNER Class V4 of 1941. The wheel arrangement allowed the fitting of a large firebox uninhibited by the rear driving wheel, and the front pony truck improved stability at high speeds.

The V2 was derived from the Class A1/A3 pacifics with smaller driving wheels (of 6'2" compared to 6'8") and a shortened boiler. It retained Gresley's favoured 3-cylinder arrangement. Unusually all 3 cylinders were part of a single 'monobloc' casting.

184 locomotives were built in 14 batches between 1936 and 1944 at Doncaster and Darlington Works, construction continuing through the Second World War as they proved their usefulness. A further four locomotives, ordered as V2s, were redesigned by Gresley's successor Edward Thompson and completed as Pacifics (LNER Thompson Class A2).

These Gresley thoroughbreds had one drawback. They may have been 'do anything' engines but they were far from 'go anywhere' engines. With a 22 ton axle load their use was restricted to around 40% of the LNER's route miles. For example, they were barred from all of the former Great Eastern Railway main lines. Gresley recognised that a lighter mixed-traffic locomotive was required, and the V4 class was designed to this end. However, it was to be the versatile LNER Thompson Class B1 4-6-0 which succeeded the V2 as the LNER's standard mixed traffic locomotive.

[edit] Working life

First of the initial batch for five Doncaster-built V2s was number 4771, which emerged in June 1936 and was promptly named "Green Arrow", after the express freight service for which the locomotives had been built. Successful trails with this quintet led to both Doncaster and Darlington works producing further batches. The final locomotive, number 3695, was delivered from Darlington in July 1944.

The V2 had the free steaming qualities that the LNER's operating department required. Not only were they capable of working vacuum braked freights at up to 60mph, they could deputise for Pacifics on express passenger schedules. In peak condition a V2 could almost match the Pacifics for sustained high speed running. One locomotive was reliably timed at 93mph on the Yorkshire Pullman while another attained 101.5mph on a test train.

Whatever the V2s achieved before 1939 and after 1945 will always be eclipsed by their astonishing feats of haulage during World War Two. Trains of over 20 carriages loaded to 700 tons proved within their abilities. On at least one occasion a single V2 hauled 26 coaches from Peterborough to London. Given this capacity for work it was not surprising that construction was allowed to continue through the war years. When construction stopped in 1944 the class numbered 184 engines. They were the last Gresley designed engines to be produced.

The V2s performed equally competently for British Railways leaving their mark on the East Coast Main Line, the Waverley Route between Carlisle and Edinburgh and on the ex-Great Central main line between London Marylebone and Sheffield. Their swansong came on the Edinburgh - Aberdeen run, working alongside the last LNER A2s and A4s. The entire class was withdrawn from service between 1962 and 1966, having been displaced by diesel locomotives.

[edit] Names

Only eight V2s were named. The first of the class was named after the express freight train Green Arrow. Five more were named after Regiments and two after public schools. It is thought that more would have been named had the outbreak of war not intervened.

[edit] Numbering

When built, the V2s were numbered 3641-3695 and 4771-4899. Under the LNER 1946 renumbering scheme they were renumbered 800-983. After nationalisation in 1948, British Railways added 60000 to their numbers so they became 60800-983. BR also gave them the power classification 6MT.

[edit] Preservation

60800 Green Arrow at Crewe Works open day on 1 June 2003. This locomotive is the sole survivor of its class, and is seen in its British Railways guise.

4771 Green Arrow, in LNER apple green livery, departs Derby with a mainline railtour.

One Class V2 survives. The first of the class 4771 Green Arrow has been preserved as part of the National Collection, and was in use on preserved lines around Britain. On 1st April 2008, it suffered a boiler failure on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. It is unlikely to steam again in the near future, as this would require substantial and expensive repairs.

[edit] References

• Rutherford, Michael and Blakemore, Michael (1997). Green Arrow and the LNER V2 Class. Penryn: Atlantic Transport Publishers. ISBN 0-906899-77-X. 
• Morrison, Gavin (2001). The Power of the V2s. Hersham: Ian Allan. ISBN 978-0-860935-56-8. 
• Morrison, Gavin (2002). Gresley V2s. Hersham: Ian Allan. ISBN 978-0-711028-84-5. 
• Longworth, Hugh (2005). British Railway Steam Locomotives 1948-1968. Hersham: Ian Allan. ISBN 978-0-86093-593-0. 
• Bellwood, F. J. (1982 Feb.). "Green Arrow and the V2s". Steam World: 31–6. 
• Townend, Peter (2005 Nov.). "Their finest hour". Steam World: 8–14. 

[edit] External links

• LNER encyclopedia
• Railuk database
• York Steam, Steam Locos - In York