| Caledonian Railway 0-4-4T | |
|---|---|
| Power type | Steam |
| Designer | John F. McIntosh |
| Build date | 1895–1925 |
| Configuration | 0-4-4T |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Driver diameter | 5 ft 9 in (1.753 m) |
| Locomotive weight | 53 tons 16 cwt to 59 tons 12 cwt |
| Fuel type | Coal |
| Boiler pressure | 180 psi |
| Cylinders | Two, inside |
| Cylinder size | 18"x26" or 18¼"x26" |
| Tractive effort | 18,680 lbf or 19,200 lbf |
| Class | CR: 439 |
| Power class | 2P |
The Caledonian Railway 439 Class is a class of 0-4-4T steam locomotive. It was a development of the earlier 19 Class and 92 Class 0-4-4Ts and predecessor of the 431 Class. The 439 Class was introduced by John F. McIntosh in 1900 and a modified version was introduced by William Pickersgill in 1915.
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Ninety-two engines of the class were built between 1900 and 1925, a few under LMS auspices. Seventy-four Class 439s passed into British Railways ownership in 1948 and they were numbered 55159-55236 (with gaps).
The 19 and 92 Classes were originally fitted with condensing apparatus for use on Glasgow Central Low Level lines. Twenty-four of them passed into British Railways ownership and they were numbered 55119-55146 (with gaps).
In 1922 Pickersgill introduced the 431 Class with larger cylinders and cast-iron front buffer beam for banking. The idea was, presumably, to move the centre of gravity forwards and put more weight on the driving wheels. However, it seems strange to use a large-wheeled 0-4-4T (rather than a small-wheeled 0-6-0T) for banking. The 431 Class was numbered 431–434 by the Caledonian, 15237–15240 by the LMS, and 55237–55240 by British Railways.
In 1925 the LMS introduced their own version of the 439 Class and these were numbered 55260-55269 by British Railways.
In the 431 and LMS classes, the cylinder bore was increased to 18¼" and this increased the tractive effort to 19,200 lbf (85,000 N).
One, CR 419, (later LMS number 15189, BR 55189) has been preserved and is the flagship of the Scottish Railway Preservation Society.
419 is currently undergoing a major overhaul and is temporarily out of service.