LNER Peppercorn Class A2
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60535 Hornets Beauty at Gainsborough Central railway station
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| Type and origin | |
|---|---|
| Power type | Steam |
| Designer | Arthur Peppercorn |
| Builder | Doncaster Works |
| Build date | 1947–1948 |
| Total produced | 15 |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Configuration: |
|
| • Whyte | 4-6-2 |
| • UIC | 2′C1′ h3 |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Leading dia. | 3 ft 2 in (0.965 m) |
| Driver dia. | 6 ft 2 in (1.880 m) |
| Trailing dia. | 3 ft 8 in (1.118 m) |
| Wheelbase | 60 ft 6 in (18.44 m) |
| Length | (?) |
| Axle load | 22 long tons (22.4 t; 24.6 short tons) |
| Loco weight | 101 long tons (102.6 t; 113.1 short tons) |
| Fuel type | Coal |
| Fuel capacity | 9 long tons (9.1 t; 10.1 short tons) |
| Water cap | 5,000 imp gal (23,000 L; 6,000 US gal) |
| Firebox: • Firegrate area |
50 sq ft (4.6 m2) |
| Boiler pressure | 250 psi (1.72 MPa) superheated |
| Heating surface: • Tubes |
1,212 sq ft (112.6 m2) |
| • Flues | 1,005 sq ft (93.4 m2) |
| • Firebox | 245 sq ft (22.8 m2) |
| Superheater: |
|
| • Heating area | 680 sq ft (63 m2) |
| Cylinders | Three |
| Cylinder size | 19 in × 26 in (483 mm × 660 mm) |
| Valve gear | Walschaerts |
| Valve type | 10-inch (254 mm) piston valves |
| Performance figures | |
|---|---|
| Tractive effort | 40,430 lbf (179.84 kN) |
| Career | |
|---|---|
| Operators | LNER » BR |
| Class | LNER: A2 |
| Power class | BR: 8P7F |
| Axle load class | Route Availability 9 |
| Withdrawn | 1962-1966 |
| Disposition | One preserved; remainder scrapped |
The London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) Peppercorn Class A2 is a class of steam locomotive designed for express passenger work by Arthur Peppercorn, the chief designer of the LNER after Edward Thompson. All save the first of the 15 built were constructed under British Railways after nationalisation in 1948.
The first of the Peppercorn A2s No.525 A.H.Peppercorn was outshopped from Doncaster in December 1947 on the eve of nationalisation, and named after the designer of the class, Arthur Peppercorn. The modernity of the design was immediately apparent. The first two of the class were turned out in LNER apple green livery and this colour was also applied to the next 13 engines delivered between January and August 1948. Repainting in British Railways Brunswick green began the following year.
The design was a move towards modernity, with features such as a self-cleaning smoke-box and electric lighting. Initially the Self Cleaning apparatus caused steaming troubles when combined with a single chimney, but changes to the draughting, notably the inclusion of Double Kylchap Blastpipe brought about the free steaming capability along with the convenience of less frequent smoke-box cleaning. Some A2's retained their single chimneys, though the Double Blastpipe did bring about notable free running on the A2's to which it was fitted, as well as an improvement in fuel economy.
The 50 sq ft grate of the A2's, a nod to the P2 lineage of both the Thompson and Peppercorn boilers, meant the A2's were capable of high power and endurance, however, with the exception of the Aberdeen road, there was little need for this large grate firebox in the postwar era, and as a result, on comparable duties the A2's were heavier on fuel than the Gresley machines which pre-dated them, but for outright power and haulage capability, they were the logical successor to the P2 class, and finally provided the answer the Edinburgh-Aberdeen route required. As a result, they were amongst the last multi-cylindered express steam locomotive classes to remain in service in the UK.
Only No. 525 was technically built during LNER ownership, but 526-31 received LNER 1946 numbers. From 60532 onwards, the A2s received BR numbers from new, BR numbers being the LNER 1946 numbers with the addition of 60000. With the exception of no. 525, named after the last Chief Mechanical Engineer of the LNER, they were named after racehorses.
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Wikipedia