LNWR Dock Tank

LNWR 317 class
4′ 3″ Saddle Tank Shunter

Side-on view of locomotive 317

Works photograph of No. 317
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Builder Crewe Works
Serial number 3741, 3946, 3977–3984, 4175–4184
Build date 1896–1901
Total produced 20
Specifications
Configuration 0-4-2ST
UIC classification B1′ n2t
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Driver diameter 4 ft 3 in (1.295 m) + 2 1⁄2-inch (64 mm) tyres
Trailing wheel
diameter		 2 ft 6 in (0.762 m)
Wheelbase
  • Coupled: 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m)
  • Loco: 15 ft 6 in (4.72 m)
Locomotive weight 34 long tons 17 cwt (78,100 lb or 35.4 t)
Fuel type Coal
Fuel capacity 1.5 long tons (1.5 t)
Water capacity 620 imp gal (2,800 l; 740 US gal)
Boiler pressure 150 lbf/in2 (1.03 MPa)
Firegrate area 15 sq ft (1.4 m2)
Heating surface:
– Total		 967 sq ft (89.8 m2)
Cylinders Two, inside
Cylinder size 17 in × 24 in (432 mm × 610 mm)
Career
Operator(s)
Power class LMS: 1P, later 0F
Number in class
  • 1 January 1923: 20
  • 1 January 1948: 2
Nicknames Bissel tanks
Withdrawn 1927–1956
Disposition All scrapped

The LNWR 317 class, (also known as Saddle Tank Shunter, Dock Tank or Bissel Tank) consisted of a class of 20 square saddle-tanked steam locomotives built by the London and North Western Railway at their Crewe Works between 1896 and 1901. They had a very short coupled wheelbase, with a trailing Bissel truck to carry weight.

They were built in three batches of 1, 9 and 10; their first running number was chosen at random from the numbers left vacant by locomotives that had been transferred to the duplicate list. This fate was almost immediately suffered by the 317 class – after only one or two months in service.[1]

All passed to the London, Midland and Scottish Railway in 1923, who initially allocated them the numbers 6400–6419 in the passenger tank sequence. Only five (6402/03/07/14/18) had been renumbered before the numbers were changed to 7850–7869 in 1927, thus moving them into the goods and shunting tanks. The LMS changed their power classification from 1P[2] to 0F at the same time.

Two, 7862 and 7865, survived to enter British Railways service in 1948; 7865 was withdrawn in November 1953, and 7862 three years later. None were preserved.

Bissel tank 7862 at Crewe Works in May 1948. It didn't receive its BR number until March 1949, and lasted until November 1956, by which time it was the last of its class.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Baxter 1979, p. 214.
  2. ↑ Casserley & Johnson 1974, p. 71.
  • Baxter, Bertram (1979). Baxter, David, ed. British Locomotive Catalogue 1825–1923, Volume 2B: London and North Western Railway and its constituent companies. Ashbourne, Derbyshire: Moorland Publishing Company. p. 214. ISBN 0-903485-84-2.
  • Casserley, H.C. & Johnston, Stuart W. (1974) [1966]. Locomotives at the Grouping 3: London, Midland and Scottish Railway. Shepperton, Surrey: Ian Allan. p. 71. ISBN 0-7110-0554-0.

External links

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