LNWR Class A

LNWR Class A

No. 50 in photographic grey livery

Type and origin Power type Steam Designer F.W. Webb Builder LNWR at Crewe Works Build date 1893–1900 Total produced 111

Specifications Configuration 0-8-0 Gauge 4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Driver dia. 4 ft 8 in (1.42 m) Wheelbase 17 ft 3 in (5.26 m) Loco weight 50 long tons 0 cwt (112,000 lb or 50.8 t) Fuel type Coal Boiler pressure 175 psi (1.21 MPa) Heating surface 1,489 sq ft (138.3 m^2) Cylinders Three, compound High-pressure cylinder (2 outside) 15 by 24 inches (380 mm × 610 mm) Low-pressure cylinder (1 inside) 30 by 24 inches (760 mm × 610 mm) Valve gear Stephenson link motion

Career Operators London and North Western Railway Disposition 15 rebuilt to Class C 1904–06 62 rebuilt to Class D 1906–09 34 rebuilt to Class C1 1909–12

The London and North Western Railway (LNWR) Class A was a class of 0-8-0 steam locomotives. From 1893 to 1900, Crewe Works built 111 of these engines, which had a three-cylinder compound arrangement, and were designed by Francis Webb. According to the LNWR Society, 110 were built between 1894 and 1900.^[1]

Rebuilding

Like the other Webb compounds, they proved problematic, so in 1904 George Whale began rebuilding these to simple expansion engines. Fifteen were converted to Class C between 1904–1906, 62 to Class D between 1906–1909, with the remaining 34 rebuilt by Charles Bowen Cooke to Class C1 between 1909-1912.

Classification

The LNWR letter classification system for 8 coupled engines (A, B, C, etc.) was introduced in 1911.

References

1. LNWR Society. "Goods Engines of LNWR - 'A' Class". Lnwrs.org.uk. Retrieved 2012-04-09.

Further reading

• Talbot, Edward. The London & North Western Railway Eight-Coupled Goods Engines.
• Yeadon, Willie. Yeadon's Compendium of LNWR Locomotives Vol 2 Goods Tender Engines.