GCR Class 9K
Encyclopedia
The Great Central Railway
9K and 9L classes were two related classes of 4-4-2T Atlantic steam locomotive
s. They were both intended for suburban passenger services. After the 1923 Grouping, they served the LNER
as classes C13 and C14.
Their designer was John G. Robinson. The design was based on the earlier Pollitt
Class 9G 2-4-2T locomotives, but with a lengthened boiler and a leading bogie to carry it. This extension of running gear also resembled an early Robinson design for the Irish Waterford, Limerick and Western Railway.
All passed into British Railways service and the first was not withdrawn until 1952. Most were withdrawn between 1955 and 1959. The last examples of each class, 9K 67417 and 9L 67450, were scrapped in 1960. None were preserved.
The GCR installed water troughs around the same time as this class was built. They were fitted with water scoops, but these were little used by the 1930s and so were removed.
In 1933, six locomotives were fitted for push-pull working
, according to the GCR mechanical system. These were converted to the LNER vacuum system and in 1941, two others were converted.
in 1915. From 1926 to 1935 the entire class was superheated. During this time, the original saturated
locomotives were classified as C13/1 and the superheated rebuilds as C13/2. Some locomotives were rebuilt further as C13/3, with shortened chimneys and dome
s to fit within the LNER loading gauge
.The GCR was known for its unusually large loading gauge, by British standards at least. By 1938, all locomotives had been rebuilt to the C13/3 standard and so the distinguishing sub-classes were abandoned.
terminus.
Within a few years, the timing of these suburban trains was facing competition from electric services. Competing with these required faster acceleration and the more powerful 4-6-2T Class 9N
was introduced.
From 1922 they were dispersed away from London through the GCR network, to South Yorkshire between Manchester, Sheffield and Mexborough
. Most notably, many of them went to Wrexham
were they were based successfully until the 1950s. The South Yorkshire engines gradually moved to Gorton locomotive shed, from where they were used on Manchester suburban services, and destinations as far as Macclesfield
, later joined by the 9Ls, until they were both replaced by DMUs after post-1955 dieselisation
.
All passed into British Railways service and survived until at least 1952. but were withdrawn between 1955 and 1959. The last No 67417 was scrapped in 1960. None were preserved.
The class was successful throughout its working life and is considered to be one of Robinson's best designs.
The side tanks were enlarged for an extra 375 gallons, by widening their side plates. Overall width across the tanks increased from 8' 6" to 8' 9". This gives rise to a visible recognition feature in photographs: the 9K have tank and cab sides in a flat plane, the 9L tank sides project slightly.
Coal capacity was also increased by raising the rear wall of the bunker with a semicircular extension.
The boilers were the same as for the 9K. All were built with saturated boilers and, as for the 9Ks, were rebuilt with superheating as their boilers were replaced. The first to be superheated was Nº 1122 in 1914, although this was not a new boiler and only lasted until 1923 when it was replaced by a saturated boiler. All were converted under LNER ownership, from 1926 to 1935. Water pick-up gear and shortened chimneys to fit the LNER loading gauge were removed and changed as for the 9K class.
and they were based at Neasden shed
.
With the introduction of the Class 9N
s, the 9Ls were moved to stopping services on the Great Central Main Line
and by 1922 they were based around Nottingham
, with one of the twelve stabled at Woodford
and some occasional allocations to Hitchin
and Hatfield
.
From 1934, they were dispersed, some to East Anglia and others to the West Riding and Manchester. After Nationalisation, they were once again working suburban passenger services with the 9Ks, out of Manchester.
Nearly all were scrapped in 1957, following the introduction of DMUs for the suburban services. The last Nº 67450 survived until 1960. None were preserved.
Great Central Railway
The Great Central Railway was a railway company in England which came into being when the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway changed its name in 1897 in anticipation of the opening in 1899 of its London Extension . On 1 January 1923, it was grouped into the London and North Eastern...
9K and 9L classes were two related classes of 4-4-2T Atlantic steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
s. They were both intended for suburban passenger services. After the 1923 Grouping, they served the LNER
London and North Eastern Railway
The London and North Eastern Railway was the second-largest of the "Big Four" railway companies created by the Railways Act 1921 in Britain...
as classes C13 and C14.
Their designer was John G. Robinson. The design was based on the earlier Pollitt
Harry Pollitt (engineer)
Harry Pollitt was Locomotive Engineer of the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway from 1894–1897 and its successor, the Great Central Railway, from 1897-1900.-Biography:Pollitt was born on 26 December 1864 at Ashton-under-Lyne...
Class 9G 2-4-2T locomotives, but with a lengthened boiler and a leading bogie to carry it. This extension of running gear also resembled an early Robinson design for the Irish Waterford, Limerick and Western Railway.
All passed into British Railways service and the first was not withdrawn until 1952. Most were withdrawn between 1955 and 1959. The last examples of each class, 9K 67417 and 9L 67450, were scrapped in 1960. None were preserved.
GCR 9K / LNER C13
Forty locomotives were built to the 9K class, in four batches between 1903 to 1905.The GCR installed water troughs around the same time as this class was built. They were fitted with water scoops, but these were little used by the 1930s and so were removed.
In 1933, six locomotives were fitted for push-pull working
Push-pull train
Push–pull is a mode of operation for locomotive-hauled trains allowing them to be driven from either end.A push–pull train has a locomotive at one end of the train, connected via some form of remote control, such as multiple-unit train control, to a vehicle equipped with a control cab at the other...
, according to the GCR mechanical system. These were converted to the LNER vacuum system and in 1941, two others were converted.
Superheating
One example, No. 18 was experimentally superheatedSuperheater
A superheater is a device used to convert saturated steam or wet steam into dry steam used for power generation or processes. There are three types of superheaters namely: radiant, convection, and separately fired...
in 1915. From 1926 to 1935 the entire class was superheated. During this time, the original saturated
Saturated steam
In thermodynamics, the state of saturation of a fluid indicates that the fluid is at its boiling point temperature. This term can be applied in several ways:*Saturated liquid: fully in the liquid state but is about to vaporize....
locomotives were classified as C13/1 and the superheated rebuilds as C13/2. Some locomotives were rebuilt further as C13/3, with shortened chimneys and dome
Steam dome
A Steam dome is a vessel fitted to the top of the boiler of a steam locomotive. It contains the opening to the main steam pipe and its purpose is to allow this opening to be kept well above the water level in the boiler...
s to fit within the LNER loading gauge
Loading gauge
A loading gauge defines the maximum height and width for railway vehicles and their loads to ensure safe passage through bridges, tunnels and other structures...
.The GCR was known for its unusually large loading gauge, by British standards at least. By 1938, all locomotives had been rebuilt to the C13/3 standard and so the distinguishing sub-classes were abandoned.
Service
The 9K class was built for the London suburban services, running from the GCR's MaryleboneMarylebone station
Marylebone station , also known as London Marylebone, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex. It stands midway between the mainline stations at Euston and Paddington, about 1 mile from each...
terminus.
Within a few years, the timing of these suburban trains was facing competition from electric services. Competing with these required faster acceleration and the more powerful 4-6-2T Class 9N
GCR Class 9N
The Great Central Railway Class 9N, classified A5 by the LNER, was a class of 4-6-2 tank locomotives designed by John G. Robinson for suburban passenger services. They were fitted with superheaters, piston valves and Stephenson valve gear....
was introduced.
From 1922 they were dispersed away from London through the GCR network, to South Yorkshire between Manchester, Sheffield and Mexborough
Mexborough railway station
Mexborough railway station serves the former mining town of Mexborough, South Yorkshire, England. It is a station on the Sheffield-Hull Line south west of Doncaster....
. Most notably, many of them went to Wrexham
Wrexham Central railway station
Wrexham Central railway station is the smaller of two main railway stations serving the central area of Wrexham in Wales. The platform can accommodate a three car diesel train, but has room for platform extension...
were they were based successfully until the 1950s. The South Yorkshire engines gradually moved to Gorton locomotive shed, from where they were used on Manchester suburban services, and destinations as far as Macclesfield
Macclesfield
Macclesfield is a market town within the unitary authority of Cheshire East, the county palatine of Chester, also known as the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. The population of the Macclesfield urban sub-area at the time of the 2001 census was 50,688...
, later joined by the 9Ls, until they were both replaced by DMUs after post-1955 dieselisation
Dieselisation
Dieselisation or dieselization is a term generally used for the increasingly common use of diesel fuel in vehicles, as opposed to gasoline or steam engines.-Water Transport:...
.
All passed into British Railways service and survived until at least 1952. but were withdrawn between 1955 and 1959. The last No 67417 was scrapped in 1960. None were preserved.
The class was successful throughout its working life and is considered to be one of Robinson's best designs.
GCR 9L / LNER C14
A further twelve locomotives were built by Beyer, Peacock & Co. in 1907. These were of basically the same design, but had enlarged water and coal capacity. They were designated 9L by the GCR and later C14 by the LNER.The side tanks were enlarged for an extra 375 gallons, by widening their side plates. Overall width across the tanks increased from 8' 6" to 8' 9". This gives rise to a visible recognition feature in photographs: the 9K have tank and cab sides in a flat plane, the 9L tank sides project slightly.
Coal capacity was also increased by raising the rear wall of the bunker with a semicircular extension.
The boilers were the same as for the 9K. All were built with saturated boilers and, as for the 9Ks, were rebuilt with superheating as their boilers were replaced. The first to be superheated was Nº 1122 in 1914, although this was not a new boiler and only lasted until 1923 when it was replaced by a saturated boiler. All were converted under LNER ownership, from 1926 to 1935. Water pick-up gear and shortened chimneys to fit the LNER loading gauge were removed and changed as for the 9K class.
Service
The 9L class was built for the London suburban services from MaryleboneMarylebone station
Marylebone station , also known as London Marylebone, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex. It stands midway between the mainline stations at Euston and Paddington, about 1 mile from each...
and they were based at Neasden shed
Neasden tube station
Neasden Underground station is a London Underground station in Neasden. It is on the Jubilee Line, between Wembley Park and Dollis Hill. Metropolitan Line trains pass through the station but do not stop, except on rare occasions...
.
With the introduction of the Class 9N
GCR Class 9N
The Great Central Railway Class 9N, classified A5 by the LNER, was a class of 4-6-2 tank locomotives designed by John G. Robinson for suburban passenger services. They were fitted with superheaters, piston valves and Stephenson valve gear....
s, the 9Ls were moved to stopping services on the Great Central Main Line
Great Central Main Line
The Great Central Main Line , also known as the London Extension of the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway , is a former railway line which opened in 1899 linking Sheffield with Marylebone Station in London via Nottingham and Leicester.The GCML was the last main line railway built in...
and by 1922 they were based around Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, with one of the twelve stabled at Woodford
Woodford Halse
Woodford Halse is a village about south of Daventry in Northamptonshire. It is in the civil parish of Woodford cum Membris, which includes also village of Hinton and hamlet of West Farndon...
and some occasional allocations to Hitchin
Hitchin
Hitchin is a town in Hertfordshire, England, with an estimated population of 30,360.-History:Hitchin is first noted as the central place of the Hicce people mentioned in a 7th century document, the Tribal Hidage. The tribal name is Brittonic rather than Old English and derives from *siccā, meaning...
and Hatfield
Hatfield
- Places :Hatfield is the name of several places around the world. It comes from O.E. Haeth field , meaning field of heather.In Australia*Hatfield, New South Wales, located in the Electoral district of Murray-DarlingIn England:...
.
From 1934, they were dispersed, some to East Anglia and others to the West Riding and Manchester. After Nationalisation, they were once again working suburban passenger services with the 9Ks, out of Manchester.
Nearly all were scrapped in 1957, following the introduction of DMUs for the suburban services. The last Nº 67450 survived until 1960. None were preserved.