LNER Class A8
| LNER Class A8 | |
|---|---|
 A8 4-6-2T No. 69873 at Middlesbrough Locomotive Depot 1954 | |
| Specifications | |
| Power type | Steam |
| Designer | Vincent Raven and Nigel Gresley |
| Build date | 1931-1936 |
| Total produced | 45 |
| Configuration | 4-6-2ST |
| Leading wheel diameter | 3 ft 1 1⁄4 in (0.946 m) |
| Driver diameter | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Trailing wheel diameter | 3 ft 9 in (1.14 m) |
| Wheelbase | 33 ft 3 in (10.13 m) |
| Length | 42 ft 6 in (12.95 m) |
| Axle load | 17.8 long tons (18.1 t) |
| Locomotive weight | 86.8 long tons (88.2 t) |
| Fuel capacity | 4 long tons (4.1 t) |
| Water capacity | 2,000 imp gal (9,100 l; 2,400 US gal) |
| Boiler | 4 ft 9 in (1.45 m) |
| Boiler pressure | 175 psi (1.21 MPa) |
| Firegrate area | 23 sq ft (2.1 m2) |
| Heating surface: – Tubes | 680 sq ft (63 m2) |
| – Flues | 280.6 sq ft (26.07 m2) |
| – Total | 1,084.6 sq ft (100.76 m2) |
| Superheater area | 191.134 sq ft (17.757 m2) |
| Cylinders | 3 |
| Cylinder size | 16 1⁄2 in × 26 in (420 mm × 660 mm) |
| Valve gear | Stephenson |
| Tractive effort | 22,940 lbf (102.0 kN) |
| Career | |
| Railroad(s) | London and North Eastern Railway, British Railways |
| Retired | 1957-1960 |
| Disposition | All scrapped |
The London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) Class A8 was a type of 4-6-2T steam locomotive, designed by both Vincent Raven and Nigel Gresley. They were rebuilt from the LNER Class H1, a 4-4-4T. In 1931, H1 No. 2162 was rebuilt as a 4-6-2T and given the A8 classification.
Overview
After a series of trials throughout the North East Area, all of the remaining H1s were rebuilt as A8 4-6-2Ts between 1933 and 1936. During the process of rebuilding, the boiler was modified to include a Robinson-type superheater rather than the original Schmidt superheater. In 1935, further modifications resulted in the A8 boiler being interchangeable with the A6, A7, A8, H1, and T1 classes.
Service
The rebuilt A8s could easily work the heavy suburban traffic and long distance coastal trains on which they were put to work. They were also welcome replacements for the ageing G5 0-4-4Ts which had been working these services. Allocations of the 45 locomotives were split between the North East / Newcastle area, the Yorkshire Coast Whitby and Scarborough, Hull, and Leeds (Neville Hill).
Technical details
- Weight: 86 tons 18 cwt (194,660 lb) (88.3 t)
- Boiler pressure: 175 lbf/in² (1.2 MPa), superheated
- Cylinders: three, 16.5 inches by 26 inches (419 mm by 660 mm)
- Driving wheels: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
- Tractive effort: 22,940 lbf (102.0 kN)
- Number sequence in (1957/57) was from 69850 to 69894.
Withdrawal
Diesel railcars were rapidly introduced during the 1950s, and the A8s quickly became surplus to requirements. Withdrawals started in 1957, and the A8 was extinct by the end of 1960.
References
- Willie Yeadon, Yeadon's Register of LNER Locomotives Vol. 21: Class A5 to A8, H1, H2, L1(L3), L2, M1 and M2 tank engines. Booklaw/Railbus, 2001
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to LNER Class A8. |
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