NER Class X

NER Class X LNER Class T1
Power type	Steam
Designer	Wilson Worsdell
Builder	NER Gateshead, Darlington
Build date	1909-1910 and 1925
Total produced	15
Configuration	4-8-0T
Gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Leading wheel diameter	3 ft 1 1⁄4 in (0.946 m)
Driver diameter	4 ft 7 1⁄4 in (1.403 m)
Length	42 ft 1 in (12.83 m)
Locomotive weight	85.4 long tons (86.8 t)
Fuel type	coal
Fuel capacity	4.25 long tons (4.32 t)
Water capacity	2,500 imp gal (11,000 l; 3,000 US gal)
Boiler pressure	175 psi (1.21 MPa)
Firegrate area	23 sq ft (2.1 m2)
Cylinders	three
Cylinder size	18 × 26 in (460 × 660 mm)
Tractive effort	34,080 lbf (151.6 kN)

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 the newly-built Whitemoor Yard at March, Cambridgeshire.^[4] In 1932, this 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 numbers of the first ten were 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]

Preservation

Two T1s having been withdrawn in 1937, the remainder were withdrawn between 1955 and 1961 and none has survived into preservation.^[5]

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c} Boddy et al. 1977, p. 29.
2. ^ Ahrons 1927, p. 338.
3. ^ ^{a b} Boddy et al. 1977, pp. 31–32.
4. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Boddy et al. 1977, p. 33.
5. ^ ^{a b c} Boddy et al. 1977, p. 34.
6. ^ Boddy et al. 1977, pp. 29,34.
7. ^ 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, K.; Manners, F.; Neve, E.; Platt, E.N.T. et al. (June 1977). Fry, E.V.. ed. Part 9B: Tank Engines - Classes Q1 to Z5. Locomotives of the L.N.E.R.. Kenilworth: RCTS. ISBN 0-901115-41-X. 
• Ian Allan ABC of British Railways Locomotives, 1948 edition, part 4, page 56

External links

• LNER Encyclopedia