LSWR B4 Class
No. 87 as built with a stovepipe chimney and a full cab.
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer William Adams Builder LSWR Nine Elms Build date 1891 (10), 1893 (10), 1908 (5) Total produced 25
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-4-0T  • UIC Bn2t Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Driver dia. 3 ft 9+3⁄4 in (1.162 m) Wheelbase 7 ft 0 in (2.134 m) Length 24 ft 10+1⁄2 in (7.58 m) Height 12 ft (3.66 m) Loco weight 33.4 long tons (33.9 t; 37.4 short tons) B4; 32.9 long tons (33.4 t; 36.8 short tons) K14 Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 0.5 long tons (0.51 t; 0.56 short tons) Water cap. 600 imp gal (2,700 L; 720 US gal) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 10.75 sq ft (0.999 m2) Boiler pressure 140 psi (0.97 MPa) Cylinders Two (outside) Cylinder size 16 in × 22 in (406 mm × 559 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 14,650 lbf (65.17 kN)
Career Operators London and South Western Railway Southern Railway British Railways Class LSWR: B4 (also LSWR K14 Class) SR: B4 Power class BR: 0F, later 1F Retired 1948–1963 Disposition Two preserved, remainder scrapped

The London and South Western Railway B4 class is a class of 0-4-0 tank engines originally designed for station piloting and dock shunting. They were later used extensively in Southampton Docks for nearly half a century.

Design

The locomotives were designed by the London and South Western Railway (LSWR) Locomotive Superintendent William Adams. They were unusual in having inside Stephenson valve gear but outside cylinders and coal bunkers on the footplate inside the cab. The class were originally built with Adams's design of stovepipe chimney, although these were later replaced by a lipped version designed by Adams' successor, Dugald Drummond. Some examples also had cut away cabs to improve visibility. They were designed for shunting in locations with a sharp curves, such as the dockyard at Devonport and as pilots at the major stations.^[1]

Construction

The LSWR originally ordered ten locomotives in 1890 from its Nine Elms Works. The class was designated by their order number ‘B4’ and delivered during 1891 and 1892. A further ten locomotives were ordered in 1893 which were delivered in November and December of that year under order D6. ^[2]

Drummond designed a similar class of five locomotives in 1907, with a slightly smaller boiler and lipped chimney. These were delivered during 1908 under order K14. No. 84, delivered in June 1908 was the last locomotive to be built at Nine Elms Works prior to the works' transfer to Eastleigh. These locomotives were originally regarded as a new class. However, Drummond's successor Robert Urie, considered them to be so similar to the originals, that they were merged with the B4 class in 1912.^[2]

Preserved Normandy, with a cut away cab.

Service

The first ten locomotives were allocated to major stations throughout the system including Eastleigh, Exmouth Junction, Bournemouth and Plymouth Friary (for use on Cattedown Wharfs and the Turnchapel branch). In November 1892 the LSWR purchased the Southampton Docks, and so both new and existing B4s were sent there over the next few years to replace the existing motive power as they became worn out. By 1899 their use as station pilots had ceased except at Exeter and fourteen were working in Southampton Docks. Other members of the class were assigned to various depots around the LSWR system, for yard and dock shunting. ^[2]

After 1923 the Southern Railway also used them at Dover Marine, Ashford, Stewarts Lane, Hamworthy (for use at Poole Quay) and at Guildford (as a shed pilot). At least two were retained at Eastleigh one of which was used to shunt the cramped goods yard at Winchester City railway station.

Names

The locomotives used by Southampton Docks, were also given names reflecting the destinations of ships then sailing from Southamton numbers.

Withdrawals

Following the introduction of the SR USA class to Southampton Docks in 1947, many of the class were made redundant. Withdrawals began under British Railways in May 1948, but others were still in good condition and eleven were sold during 1948/9 for industrial use. Withdrawals resumed in 1957 following the introduction of diesel shunters and by 1961 only three survived. These were withdrawn in 1963. ^[3]

Preservation

Preserved Normandy on the Bluebell Railway

Preserved Granville at Bressingham

Two examples of the class have survived into preservation:

• No. 96 (BR 30096) Normandy was sold to Corrall Limited and used at their Southampton coal depot, where it was named Corrall Queen. It has been preserved on the Bluebell Railway where, in the days before the line had any diesel locomotives, it was often used as a shunter. Its boiler certificate expired on 6 July 2006 and it is on static display awaiting overhaul.
• No. 102 (BR 30102) Granville was purchased in 1964, after withdrawal from BR, by Butlins and then displayed alongside LMS Royal Scot class 6100 Royal Scot at the firm's Skegness Holiday Camp. In 1971 it was moved to Bressingham Steam Museum near Diss, Norfolk, where it remains on static display.^[4]

References

• Bradley, D.L. (1967). Locomotives of the London and South Western Railway. Part II. Lichfield, Staffs: Railway Correspondence and Travel Society Press.
• Stone, Colin (1999). Rails to Poole Harbour. Usk, Monmouthshire: Oakwood Press. ISBN 0-85361-553-5.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to LSWR B4 class.

• SEMG page