GCR Class 11F

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GCR Class 11F
LNER Class D11
GCR Class 11F 62690 (LNER D11/2 No. 6397) 'The Lady of the Lake' at Haymarket MPD, Edinburgh, in 1958
Power type Steam
Designer John G. Robinson
Builder Great Central Railway (11);
Kitson & Co. (12);
Armstrong Whitworth (12)
Build date 1920–1924
Total produced 35
Configuration 4-4-0
UIC classification 2'Bh
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Leading wheel
diameter		 3 ft 6 in (1.067 m)
Driver diameter 6 ft 9 in (2.057 m)
Locomotive weight 61.15 long tons (62.13 t)
Tender weight 48.30 long tons (49.08 t)
Fuel type Coal
Boiler pressure 180 psi (1.24 MPa)
Firegrate area 26.5 sq ft (2.46 m2)
Superheater area 209 sq ft (19.4 m2)
Cylinders Two, inside
Cylinder size 20 × 26 in (508 × 660 mm)
Valve gear Stephenson
Valve type 10 inches (254 mm) piston valves
Tractive effort 19,645 lbf (87.4 kN)
Class D11/1, D11/2
Power class BR: 3P2F

The Great Central Railway Class 11F or Improved Director Class is a class of 4-4-0 steam locomotive designed by John G. Robinson for passenger work. The LNER classified them as Class D11 from 1923. They were based on the earlier GCR Class 11E "Director" class (LNER D10).

There were two subclasses: D11/1 were the original GCR engines and D11/2 were those built in 1924 by the LNER to a reduced loading gauge with smaller boiler mountings for hauling passenger trains in Scotland.

Contents

[edit] Operational career

The 11F Class was initially used on passenger work on the GCR system, including fast expresses from Sheffield Victoria to London Marylebone. Later in their careers, they were used on short distance passenger trains. On lines of the Cheshire Lines Committee during the late 1940s and early 1950s, they hauled expresses between Manchester Central and Liverpool Central; also semi-fast trains from Manchester Central via Northwich to Chester Northgate.

Their 6 ft 9 inches driving wheels made them fast locos, but consequently unsuitable for hauling freight trains. The eleven original 11F locos were withdrawn during 1959 and 1960 as diesel multiple units took over operation of the shorter distance passenger trains.

[edit] Preservation

Barrow Hill in March 2011

The first member of the GCR Class 11F, No. 506 Butler Henderson, was withdrawn from use by British Railways during 1960. It has been preserved and currently wears restored GCR colours.

The locomotive operated passenger trains on the preserved Great Central Railway in Leicestershire during the late 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s but is now out of running order and is a static exhibit in the National Railway Museum at York. The locomotive was temporarily placed on display at Barrow Hill Roundhouse, near Chesterfield, in 2005. No. 506 is the only surviving GCR passenger locomotive.

506 Butler Henderson is still on display at Barrowhill Roundhouse next to British Railways 60532 Blue Peter.

[edit] Stock list

[edit] GCR locomotive Gerard Powys Dewhurst and her driver

The photograph (left) was taken at Neasden shed. Gerard Powys Dewhurst, No 507, was the latest type of passenger express engine in 1920. It was the second of the class delivered and was still in service to BR in 1958. In 1920 it would have been the centre of interest and the pride of the crew. Known then as Director Class D11 the engines were built by the GCR and were maintained in immaculate condition as they were the main loco class on services out of Marylebone at this time. In 1923 No 507 was renumbered 5507 when the LNER took over the GCR and 62661 in 1948 when it came under BR ownership. There are three men standing on the track in front of the loco. At centre is Richard Hinson, born on 1 November 1880 and died in 1958.

Richard had risen to be a top express driver on the GCR having left the Buckinghamshire farm land to seek work on the railways. In the photograph there is a bold watch chain showing across his waistcoat. Richard apparently marched into Wintergarten's shop after driving his engine all day, still in his overalls, and purchased the chain and the gold watch attached to it with a roll of banknotes. He lived with his wife Ethel and son Lawrence in the GCR cottages in Gresham Street, Neasden. Ethel’s Mother had GCR drivers as lodgers in her house in Woodford. Her Father, Richard David Nicolson, was a Signal Engineer. Richard gave the watch to Lawrence, who wore it every day throughout the Second World War. The watch passed to Richard’s great great grandson on Lawrence's death in 2005.

[edit] Models

GCR 11F 506 Butler Henderson built in 4mm scale by Dan Hull

No ready to run models of the GCR class 11F have been produced to date, but kits have been produced by BEC in 4mm scale.[citation needed]

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: GCR Class 11F / LNER Class D11
Pre-grouping railway designs:
LNER designs:
Gresley (1923–1941):
Thompson (1941–1946):
Peppercorn (1946–1947):
Other designs:
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