The NER Class X (LNER Class T1) was a class of 4-8-0T tank locomotive designed by Wilson Worsdell for the North Eastern Railway.[1] They were intended for use as powerful shunting engines to arrange and move coal wagons for loading into ships.[1] In total 15 were built, 10 by the NER between 1909 and 1910, and a further five in 1925 by the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER).[1] They had three cylinders with divided drive: the inside cylinder driving the leading axle, the outside cylinders driving the centre.[2]
Overview
The reversing gear was originally mechanical, but was replaced on all but two of the locomotives (nos. 1355/8) by steam-operated reversing gear between 1932 and 1934.[3] The steam reversing gear was removed again between 1941 and 1947.[3] In 1929, No. 1656 was moved to the newly built Whitemoor Yard at March, Cambridgeshire.[4] In 1932, this locomotive was replaced by Nos. 1355 and 1358.[4] Whitemoor preferred the ex-GCR 0-8-4T (LNER Class S1) for hump shunting, so in 1934 No 1358 was moved to Doncaster, and No. 1355 to Mexborough.[4] In 1936, No. 1355 moved to King's Cross to shunt the engine shed for seven weeks, before joining No. 1358 in Doncaster.[4] These two locomotives were scrapped at Doncaster in 1937.[4] The remaining T1s continued to work coal trains at various docks and marshalling yards throughout North East England.[4] After World War II, coal exports never returned to their pre-war levels.[5] Hence, many of the T1s moved to other sheds for heavy shunting duties.[5]
Numbering
On the North Eastern Railway the first ten locomotives were numbered 1350–9; these numbers were retained following the formation of the LNER on 1 January 1923. The five built in 1925 were given LNER numbers 1656–60.[6] In 1946, the thirteen remaining locomotives were renumbered 9910–22; these all passed to British Railways in 1948, being renumbered 69910-69922 between 1948 and 1951.[7]
Withdrawal
Two T1s were withdrawn in 1937, and the remainder were withdrawn between 1955 and 1961. No examples have been preserved.[5]
| Year | Quantity in service at start of year | Quantity withdrawn | Locomotive numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1937 | 15 | 2 | 1355/58 | |
| 1955 | 13 | 2 | 69914/19 | |
| 1956 | 11 | 1 | 69922 | |
| 1957 | 10 | 2 | 69911/16 | |
| 1958 | 8 | 2 | 69913/18 | |
| 1959 | 6 | 5 | 69910/12/15/17/20 | |
| 1960 | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1961 | 1 | 1 | 69921 |
Notes
- 1 2 3 Boddy et al. 1977, p. 29.
- ↑ Ahrons 1927, p. 338.
- 1 2 Boddy et al. 1977, pp. 31–32.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Boddy et al. 1977, p. 33.
- 1 2 3 Boddy et al. 1977, p. 34.
- ↑ Boddy et al. 1977, pp. 29, 34.
- ↑ Boddy et al. 1977, pp. 29, 33, 34.
Sources
- Ahrons, E. L. (1927). The British Steam Railway Locomotive 1825-1925. Amen Corner, London: Locomotive Publishing Co.
- Boddy, M. G.; Brown, W. A.; Fry, E. V.; Hennigan, W.; Hoole, Ken; Manners, F.; Neve, E.; Platt, E. N. T.; Proud, P.; Yeadon, W. B. (June 1977). Fry, E. V. (ed.). Locomotives of the L.N.E.R., Part 9B: Tank Engines—Classes Q1 to Z5. Kenilworth: RCTS. ISBN 0-901115-41-X.
- Ian Allan ABC of British Railways Locomotives, 1948 edition, part 4, page 56