LNER Class V4
Encyclopedia
The London and North Eastern Railway
Class V4 was a class of 2-6-2
steam locomotive
designed by
Sir Nigel Gresley
for mixed-traffic use. It was to be Gresley's last design for the LNER as he died in 1941.
Due to similarities in their appearance, the V4s were sometimes assumed to be smaller versions of the V2
"Green Arrow" class, but in reality there was little similarity in the designs. The V2s were large and heavy locomotives, with very limited route availability. The V4 was a lightweight alternative, suitable for use over the whole of the LNER network. Two locomotives were built at the LNER's Doncaster Works
in 1941.
The first engine, 3401 Bantam Cock, had a scaled down version of the Standard Gresley Pacific boiler with a grate area of 27.5 sq ft. Its tractive effort of 27,000 lbs was borne from its boiler pressure of 250 psi and three cylinders of 15" diameter. The second locomotive, 3402, incorporated a fully welded steel firebox and a single thermic syphon
for water circulation. It was never named, but known unofficially as "Bantam Hen".
The type was tried on the Great Eastern section of the LNER, and was well received , with more power than the existing B17
's and better riding qualities. It was anticipated that many more would be produced, but with the death of Gresley and his succession by Edward Thompson
, no more were built. Instead, the LNER Thompson Class B1
was adopted as the LNER's standard mixed-traffic locomotive.
The two locomotives were sent to Scotland for use on the West Highland Line
, although their wheel arrangement was not particularly suitable for the steep gradients on the line. They were renumbered 1700 and 1701 in 1946, and later became British Railways 61700 and 61701. Both were scrapped in 1957 when their boilers became due for renewal.
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...
Class V4 was a class of 2-6-2
2-6-2
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-6-2 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels, six coupled driving wheels and two trailing wheels.Other equivalent classifications are:...
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...
designed by
Sir Nigel Gresley
Nigel Gresley
Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley was one of Britain's most famous steam locomotive engineers, who rose to become Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London and North Eastern Railway . He was the designer of some of the most famous steam locomotives in Britain, including the LNER Class A1 and LNER Class A4...
for mixed-traffic use. It was to be Gresley's last design for the LNER as he died in 1941.
Due to similarities in their appearance, the V4s were sometimes assumed to be smaller versions of the V2
LNER Class V2
The London and North Eastern Railway Class V2 2-6-2 steam locomotives were designed by Sir Nigel Gresley for express mixed traffic work, and built between 1936–1944. The best known is the first of the class, 4771 Green Arrow, which is the only preserved example.-Construction:The V2s were the only...
"Green Arrow" class, but in reality there was little similarity in the designs. The V2s were large and heavy locomotives, with very limited route availability. The V4 was a lightweight alternative, suitable for use over the whole of the LNER network. Two locomotives were built at the LNER's Doncaster Works
Doncaster Works
Doncaster railway works is in the town of Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England.Always referred to as "the Plant", it was established by the Great Northern Railway in 1853, replacing the previous works in Boston and Peterborough...
in 1941.
The first engine, 3401 Bantam Cock, had a scaled down version of the Standard Gresley Pacific boiler with a grate area of 27.5 sq ft. Its tractive effort of 27,000 lbs was borne from its boiler pressure of 250 psi and three cylinders of 15" diameter. The second locomotive, 3402, incorporated a fully welded steel firebox and a single thermic syphon
Thermic syphon
Thermic siphons are heat-exchanging elements in the firebox or combustion chamber of some steam boiler and steam locomotive designs. As they are directly exposed to the radiant heat of combustion, they have a high evaporative capacity relative to their size...
for water circulation. It was never named, but known unofficially as "Bantam Hen".
The type was tried on the Great Eastern section of the LNER, and was well received , with more power than the existing B17
LNER Class B17
The London and North Eastern Railway Class B17, also known as "Sandringham" or "Footballer" class was a class of 4-6-0 steam locomotive designed by Sir Nigel Gresley for hauling passenger services on the Great Eastern Main Line...
's and better riding qualities. It was anticipated that many more would be produced, but with the death of Gresley and his succession by Edward Thompson
Edward Thompson (engineer)
Edward Thompson was Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London and North Eastern Railway between 1941 and 1946.- Biography :Edward Thompson was the son of an assistant master at Marlborough College. He was educated at Marlborough before taking the Mechanical Science Tripos at Pembroke College,...
, no more were built. Instead, the LNER Thompson Class B1
LNER Thompson Class B1
The London and North Eastern Railway Thompson Class B1 is a class of steam locomotive designed for medium mixed traffic work. It was designed by Edward Thompson.- Overview :...
was adopted as the LNER's standard mixed-traffic locomotive.
The two locomotives were sent to Scotland for use on the West Highland Line
West Highland Line
The West Highland Line is considered the most scenic railway line in Britain, linking the ports of Mallaig and Oban on the west coast of Scotland to Glasgow. The line was voted the top rail journey in the world by readers of independent travel magazine Wanderlust in 2009, ahead of the iconic...
, although their wheel arrangement was not particularly suitable for the steep gradients on the line. They were renumbered 1700 and 1701 in 1946, and later became British Railways 61700 and 61701. Both were scrapped in 1957 when their boilers became due for renewal.