LSWR L11 class

Infobox Locomotive
powertype=Steam
name = LSWR/SR L11 Bradley, D. L.: "An illustrated history of LSWR Locomotives: the Drummond Classes" (Didcot: Wild Swan Publications, 1986) ISBN 0906867428 ]

---

caption = BR No. 30166 pictured on shed
designer = Dugald Drummond
builder = LSWR Nine Elms Works
builddate = 1903
totalproduction = 40
whytetype = 4-4-0
gauge = RailGauge|ussg|lk=on
leadingsize = convert|3|ft|7|in|m|3|abbr=on
driversize = convert|5|ft|7|in|m|3|abbr=on
length =
weight = 50 tons 11 cwt (51.36 tonnes)
fueltype = Coal
fuelc

waterc
convert|3500|impgal|l|abbr=on|lk=on
valvegear = Stephenson
cylindercount = Two, inside
cylindersize = 18½ × 26 in (470 × 660 mm)
boilerpressure = convert|175|psi|MPa|2|abbr=on|lk=on
tractiveeffort = convert|19796|lbf|kN|abbr=on|lk=on
railroad=London and South Western Railway, Southern Railway, Southern Region of British Railways
locale=Great Britain
railroadclass=LSWR / SR: L11
BR: 1MT
retiredate=1949–1952
nicknames="Large Hopper"
disposition=All scrapped

The London and South Western Railway L11 class was a class of 4-4-0 steam locomotives designed for mixed traffic work. They were introduced in 1903 and were nicknamed "Large Hoppers". As with most other Drummond productions, the locomotive had two inside cylinders and Stephenson link valve gear..

Background

The L11 class was one of a number of designs by Dugald Drummond incorporating a large proportion of standard parts that could be interchanged with other classes of locomotive. The boiler was interchangeable with the T9 class, and likewise was equipped with water tubes fitted across the firebox combustion space, with the aim of increasing heating surface whilst facilitating water circulation; this device however also increased maintenance costs and was soon removed by Drummond's successor, Robert Urie.

Later history

The L11 class was never equipped with a superheater as was applied to other Drummond types. The class was coupled to a six-wheeled tender as standard, although from time to time they had the Drummond eight-wheeled 'watercart' by way of tender interchange.

Eight locomotives were converted to oil firing as part of government trials in 1947 to 1948.

None has survived to be preserved.

Livery and numbering

LSWR and Southern

Under the LSWR, the L11s were outshopped in the LSWR Passenger Sage Green livery with purple-brown edging, creating panels of green. Bradley, D. L.: "An illustrated history of LSWR Locomotives: the Drummond Classes" (Didcot: Wild Swan Publications, 1986) ISBN 0906867428 ] This was further lined in white and black with 'LSWR' in gilt on the tender tank sides.

When transferred to Southern Railway ownership after 1923, the locomotives were outshopped in Richard Maunsell's darker version of the LSWR livery. Swift, Peter: "Maunsell 4-6-0 King Arthur Class" (Locomotives in Detail series volume 4) (Hinckley: Ian Allan Publishing, 2006), ISBN 0711030863 ] The LSWR standard gilt lettering was changed to yellow with 'Southern' on the water tank sides. The locomotives also featured black and white lining.Haresnape, B. & Rowledge, P.: "Drummond Locomotives: A Pictorial History" (Hinckley: Ian Allan Publishing,1982) ISBN 0711012067]

Post-1948 (nationalisation)

Livery after Nationalisation was initially Southern freight livery with 'British Railways' on the tender, and an 'S' prefix on the number. The class was subsequently outshopped in BR Mixed Traffic Black with red and white lining, with the BR crest on the tender. Longworth, Hugh: "British Railway Steam Locomotives: 1948-1968" (Oxford: Oxford Publishing Company, 2005) ISBN 0860935930]

Locomotive numbering was per BR standard practice, with 40 locomotives passing into British Railways ownership in 1948 and they were numbered randomly (with other LSWR classes) in the ranges 30134-30175, 30405-30414, 30435-30442. Numbering was based upon the batches built. However, thirteen of the locomotives had been withdrawn by the end of 1948, resulting in gaps in the sequence. Longworth, Hugh: "British Railway Steam Locomotives: 1948-1968" (Oxford Publishing Company: Oxford, 2005) ISBN 0860935930]

References

* Ian Allan ABC of British Railways Locomotives, 1949 edition, part 2

External links

* [http://www.semgonline.com/steam/l11class_01.html SEMG gallery]