GCR Classes 8D and 8E
GCR Classes 8D and 8E LNER Class C5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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GCR Classes 8D and 8E were two pairs of three-cylinder
History
In 1903, the
Whilst these were under construction, it was decided to compare the merits of these locomotives against a three-cylinder compound of similar size. Accordingly, two compounds of the 4-4-2 wheel arrangement were built: no. 258 in December 1905 followed by no. 259 in February 1906, and these formed Class 8D.[3][4]
The class 8D locomotives were designed by Robinson according to the principles of
Walter M. Smith's son, John W. Smith, joined the GCR at Gorton on 20 August 1906 as Works Manager & Chief Draughtsman.[6] The GCR ordered ten more 4-4-2s for delivery in 1906: of these, eight were to the class 8B design, and two were compounds. These two, nos. 364/5, shared a number of components with the eight class 8B engines, and were sufficiently different from the two compounds of class 8D to warrant a separate classification, so became Class 8E.[7] No more 4-4-2s were built for the GCR, of any of these classes, although in 1908, Robinson did consider ordering more compounds: but the introduction of superheating soon provided a simpler method of reducing coal consumption.[8]
The four locomotives therefore remained the only compounds on the GCR. They were later given superheaters: the first was no. 365 in 1911, but it was not until 1927 before the last, no. 258, was superheated.[9]
Initially based at Gorton, they were used on the express passenger trains between
Numbers and names
Number | Built | Class | Name | Withdrawn |
---|---|---|---|---|
258 | December 1905 | 8D | The Rt. Hon. Viscount Cross G.C.B. G.C.S.I. | December 1946 |
259 | February 1906 | 8D | King Edward VII |
April 1947 |
364 | December 1906 | 8E | Lady Henderson | December 1947 |
365 | December 1906 | 8E | Sir William Pollitt |
August 1947 |
The locomotives were originally nameless. No. 259 was the first to be named, this occurring by November 1906 and was in honour of the reigning monarch; no. 364 was named by March 1907 after the wife of the GCR Chairman, Sir Alexander Henderson; no. 365 was named by October 1907 after the former GCR General Manager; and no. 258 was last, in June 1909, being named after the senior Director on the GCR Board.[12] The nameplate of no. 258 had the name in three rows, the lettering of the middle row (the words "VISCOUNT CROSS") being of normal size, whereas the lettering of the other two rows was significantly smaller.[13] No. 364 was renamed Lady Faringdon in 1917,[14] Lady Henderson's husband having been raised to the peerage as the first Baron Faringdon the previous year.[15]
After the Grouping, the LNER increased the GCR numbers by 5000, this occurring in 1924–5. Under the 1946 renumbering, they became 2895–8 in the same order.[14]
Notes
- ^ Haresnape & Rowledge 1982, p. 48.
- ^ Haresnape & Rowledge 1982, pp. 48, 52.
- ^ a b c Jackson 1996, p. 99.
- ^ Boddy et al. 1979, p. 83.
- ^ van Riemsdijk 1994, pp. 26–27, 29.
- ^ Dow 1965, p. 135–6.
- ^ Boddy et al. 1979, pp. 66, 83.
- ^ Jackson 1996, pp. 100–1.
- ^ Boddy et al. 1979, pp. 85, 88.
- ^ Jackson 1996, pp. 101, 103, 105.
- ^ Boddy et al. 1979, pp. 87–88.
- ^ Boddy et al. 1979, p. 87.
- ^ Boddy et al. 1963, fig. 60.
- ^ a b Boddy et al. 1979, p. 88.
- ^ Dow 1965, p. 287.
References
- Boddy, M.G.; Fry, E.V.; Hennigan, W.; Proud, P.; Yeadon, W.B. (July 1963). Fry, E.V. (ed.). Locomotives of the L.N.E.R., part 1: Preliminary Survey. Potters Bar: RCTS.
- Boddy, M. G.; Brown, W. A.; Fry, E. V.; Hennigan, W.; ISBN 0-901115-45-2.
- ISBN 0-7110-0263-0.
- Haresnape, Brian; Rowledge, Peter (May 1982). Robinson Locomotives: A Pictorial History. Shepperton: ISBN 0-7110-1151-6. DX/0582.
- Jackson, David (1996). J.G. Robinson: A Lifetime's Work. The Oakwood Library of Railway History. Headington: Oakwood Press. ISBN 0-85361-497-0. OL98.
- van Riemsdijk, John T. (1994). Compound Locomotives: An International Survey. Penryn: Atlantic Books. ISBN 0-906899-61-3.