LD&EC class D

LD&EC class D
LNER Class M1
Power type Steam
Designer Robert Absalom Thom
Builder Kitson & Co.
Serial number 4246–51, 4435–7
Build date 1904, 1906
Total produced 9
Configuration 0-6-4T
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Driver diameter 4 ft 9 in (1.45 m)
Trailing wheel
diameter		 3 ft 0 in (0.91 m)
Wheelbase 29 ft 6 in (8.99 m)
Length 41 ft 10 3⁄4 in (12.770 m)
Axle load 17 tons 13 cwt (39,500 lb or 17.9 t)
Weight on drivers 52 tons 8 cwt (117,400 lb or 53.3 t)
Locomotive weight 77 tons 11 cwt (173,700 lb or 78.8 t)
Fuel type Coal
Fuel capacity 4 tons 0 cwt (9,000 lb or 4.1 t)
Water capacity 3,000 imp gal (14,000 l)
Boiler pressure 180 psi (1,200 kPa)
Firegrate area 21.75 sq ft (2.021 m2)
Heating surface:
Tubes		 1,340 sq ft (124 m2)
Heating surface:
Firebox		 124 sq ft (11.5 m2)
Heating surface:
Total		 1,464 sq ft (136.0 m2)
Cylinders 2, inside
Cylinder size 19 by 26 inches (480 × 660 mm)
Valve gear Allan straight link
Valve type Balanced slide valves
Tractive effort 24,850 lbf (110.5 kN)
Locomotive brakes Steam
Train brakes Vacuum
Career Lancashire, Derbyshire and East Coast Railway; Great Central Railway; London and North Eastern Railway
Class D
Power class LNER: 3
Number in class 9
Number A1–A3, 29–34
Axle load class LNER: RA 5
Withdrawn 1939–47
Disposition All scrapped

The LD&EC class D was a class of nine 0-6-4T steam locomotives supplied to the Lancashire, Derbyshire and East Coast Railway in 1904 and 1906 by Kitson & Co. of Leeds. They later became the property of the Great Central Railway and finally the London and North Eastern Railway, upon which they were known as Class M1.

Contents

History

The Lancashire, Derbyshire and East Coast Railway (LD&EC) was a line whose primary business was carrying coal from the mines in northern Derbyshire and northern Nottinghamshire to places such as Lincoln for onward shipment by other railways.[1] Accordingly, the LD&EC needed powerful locomotives capable of hauling these heavy trains. Since the line opened in 1895, the coal trains had been in the hands of the capable 0-6-2T locomotives of LD&EC class A, which eventually totalled 18;[2][3] but after 1902, when the LD&EC began to run their trains over the Great Central Railway (GCR) to Grimsby Docks, it became apparent that the Class A locomotives were too small for the long-distance trains;[4] in particular, they needed to stop at Market Rasen for additional water.[5]

In March 1903, Kitson & Co., the Leeds locomotive builders, were asked to quote for three 0-8-0 tender locomotives; at the time, they were building the first three of the Class 8A 0-8-0s for the GCR. This order was cancelled in April 1903 because the Grimsby line was unsuitable for such locomotives.[6][7] The LD&EC Locomotive Superintendent, Robert A. Thom, therefore prepared a design for a tank locomotive larger than Class A,[8] and as with all previous LD&EC locomotives, they were built by Kitson & Co.[7] They were not much more powerful than Class A, the main differences being an increased coal and water capacity.[5] This necessitated the use of an additional carrying axle at the rear, giving the 0-6-4T wheel arrangement.[5] The initial order comprised six locomotives, which were delivered in May and June 1904, and they formed Class D on the LD&EC.[7] Proving satisfactory, a further three were ordered, again from Kitsons; but by the time that they were delivered in December 1906, the LD&EC was in the middle of negotiations with the GCR which would lead to the LD&EC being taken over by the GCR at the start of 1907; these three were paid for by the GCR.[9] There were some detail differences between these and the first six: in particular, they were fitted with water scoops so that, on suitably equipped routes, the tanks could be replenished without stopping.[10] On the GCR, watertroughs were at Eckington, between Sheffield and Staveley;[11][12] and at Charwelton, between Leicester and Woodford.[11][13]

Initially they were based at Tuxford,[5] but by 1921, four of them had been sent to the LD&EC's other depot at Langwith Junction.[14] They performed well on the coal trains for which they had been designed;[15] a typical load from Langwith Junction to Grimsby was 45 coal wagons and a brake van, totalling 744 long tons (756 t).[16] After the GCR takeover, more were required; and the opportunity was taken to update the design. Thom assisted John G. Robinson, the GCR's Locomotive Superintendent, in preparing the design of a new 2-6-4T that appeared in 1914 as GCR Class 1B.[17]

Numbering

The first six locomotives, delivered in May and June 1904, were given LD&EC numbers 29–34. The last three, delivered in December 1906, were numbered A1 to A3.[7] After the LD&EC was absorbed by the Great Central Railway (GCR) on 1 January 1907,[18] they were given GCR numbers 1148–53 and 1145–7 respectively.[9] During 1924 and 1925, the LNER increased the GCR numbers by 5000.[19] Five survived to be allotted new numbers in 1943, but only one was actually renumbered; 6151 became 9082 in May 1946.[19]

Withdrawal

Withdrawal commenced in 1939 when no. 6152 was withdrawn in February, followed by 6149 in December. The others followed at intervals, the last to be withdrawn being 9082 in July 1947.[20]

Notes

  1. ^ Cupit & Taylor 1984, pp. 1,24.
  2. ^ Boddy et al. 1977, p. 97.
  3. ^ Cupit & Taylor 1984, pp. 24,25–26.
  4. ^ Boddy et al. 1977, p. 100.
  5. ^ a b c d Cupit & Taylor 1984, p. 30.
  6. ^ Dow 1965, p. 179.
  7. ^ a b c d Boddy et al. 1977, p. 33.
  8. ^ Cupit & Taylor 1984, p. 27.
  9. ^ a b Boddy et al. 1977, p. 34.
  10. ^ Cupit & Taylor 1984, p. 31.
  11. ^ a b Boddy et al. 1963, p. 68.
  12. ^ Conolly 1976, p. 41, section B3.
  13. ^ Conolly 1976, p. 10, section B4.
  14. ^ Boddy et al. 1977, p. 36.
  15. ^ Nock 1983, p. 120.
  16. ^ Dow 1965, p. 181.
  17. ^ Boddy et al. 1977, p. 4.
  18. ^ Dow 1965, p. 184.
  19. ^ a b Boddy et al. 1977, pp. 35,37.
  20. ^ Boddy et al. 1977, p. 37.

References