251, when new in works grey
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Type and origin | |
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Power type | Steam |
Designer | Henry Ivatt |
Builder | Doncaster Works |
Build date | 1902–1910 |
Total produced | 94 |
Specifications | |
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Configuration | 4-4-2 |
UIC class. | 2′B1′ |
Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
Leading dia. | 3 ft 8 in (1.118 m) |
Driver dia. | 6 ft 8 in (2.032 m) |
Trailing dia. | 3 ft 8 in (1.118 m) |
Wheelbase | 48 ft 5.5 in (14.77 m) |
Axle load | 20 long tons (20 t; 22 short tons) |
Adhesive weight | 40 long tons (41 t; 45 short tons) |
Loco weight | 69.6 long tons (70.7 t; 78.0 short tons) |
Tender weight | 43.1 long tons (43.8 t; 48.3 short tons) |
Total weight | 112.7 long tons (114.5 t; 126.2 short tons) |
Tender type | Class B |
Fuel type | Coal |
Fuel capacity | 6.5 long tons (6.6 t; 7.3 short tons) |
Water cap | 3,500 imperial gallons (15,911 l; 4,203 US gal) |
Boiler pressure | 170 psi (1.2 MPa) (Majority), 200 psi (1.4 MPa) (3292 & 1300) |
Cylinders | Two, outside (Majority), Four (2 outside + 2 inside) on No. 3292 Compound & 3279 |
Cylinder size | 19 in × 24 in (483 mm × 610 mm) or 20 in × 24 in (508 mm × 610 mm) (Majority), 13 in × 20 in (330 mm × 508 mm) (high pressure cylinders on compound) 16 in × 26 in (406 mm × 660 mm) (low pressure cylinders on compound), 15 in × 26 in (381 mm × 660 mm) (No. 3279) 20 in × 26 in (508 mm × 660 mm) (No. 1300) |
Valve gear | Stephenson OR Walschaerts |
Valve type |
Slide valves or 8-inch (203 mm) piston valves (10-inch (254 mm) on 1300) |
Performance figures | |
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Tractive effort | 15,649 lbf (69.6 kN) or 17,340 lbf (77.1 kN) (Majority), 21,326 lbf (94.9 kN) (3292 compound), 21,128 lbf (94.0 kN) (3279), 22,100 lbf (98.3 kN) (1300) |
Career | |
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Operators | |
Power class | BR: 2P |
Axle load class | LNER: RA: 7 |
Withdrawn | 1924-1950 |
Preserved | No. 251 |
Current owner | |
Disposition | One preserved, remainder scrapped |
The Great Northern Railway (GNR) Class C1 is a type of 4-4-2 steam locomotive. One, ex GNR 251, later LNER 2800, survives in preservation.
The C1 Class, as it was known under both GNR & LNER classifications, was designed by Henry A. Ivatt as an enlarged version of what became the LNER C2 Class. The principle of the design was to produce a powerful, free-steaming engine to haul the fastest and heaviest express trains on the Great Northern. They could thus be seen as the start of the East Coast 'Big Engine' policy. None were ever named.
The first engine, No. 251, was introduced in 1902, with eighty more being built at Doncaster Works between 1904 and 1908. Although they suffered from a number of teething troubles, the Atlantics were generally very successful. They were originally fitted with slide valves, but later gained piston valves, which produced a notable improvement in performance. The Atlantics remained in front-line service for many years, sometimes being called upon to haul trains of over 500 long tons (508 t; 560 short tons).
They were eventually superseded on the heaviest trains by Gresley A1 Pacifics in the early 1920s. They continued to haul lighter expresses up until 1950, although this did include the Harrogate Pullman for a period during the 1920s and 1930s. They were often called upon to take over trains from failed Pacifics and put up some remarkable performances with loads far in excess of those they were designed to haul. One once took over the Flying Scotsman from a failed A3 at Peterborough and not only made up time but arrived early.
Seventeen C1s made it to serve British Railways, albeit for a short time. According to The Railway Magazine, the last engine in service was BR 62822, ex GNR 294. On 26 November 1950 she hauled a train one way from Kings Cross to Doncaster to mark the end of the C1s. Among the many on board was the son of H.A. Ivatt, Mr. H.G. Ivatt who received one of the builder's plates. On display at Doncaster was pioneer sister ex GNR 251, already preserved, and a number of modern engines. The return trip to London was hauled by A1 Pacific 60123 named, suitably enough, H.A. Ivatt.