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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
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerJohn G. Robinson
Builder
Build date1919–1924
Total produced35
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-4-0
 • UIC2′B h2
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Leading dia.3 ft 6 in (1.067 m)
Driver dia.6 ft 9 in (2.057 m)
Loco weight61.15 long tons (62.13 t; 68.49 short tons)
Tender weight48.30 long tons (49.08 t; 54.10 short tons)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity6 long tons 0 cwt (13,400 lb or 6.1 t)
Water cap.4,000 imp gal (18,000 L; 4,800 US gal)
Firebox:​
 • Grate area26.5 sq ft (2.46 m2)
Boiler pressure180 psi (1.24 MPa)
Superheater:
​
 • Heating area209 sq ft (19.4 m2)
CylindersTwo, inside
Cylinder size20 in × 26 in (508 mm × 660 mm)
Valve gearStephenson
Valve type10 inches (254 mm) piston valves
Performance figures
Tractive effort19,645 lbf (87.4 kN)
Career
Operators
Class
  • GCR: 11F
  • LNER: D11/1, D11/2
Power classBR: 3P2F
Withdrawn1958–1962
DispositionOne preserved, remainder scrapped

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.

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 The eleven original 11F locos were withdrawn during 1959 and 1960 as diesel multiple units took over operation of the shorter distance passenger trains.

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 as part of the UK National Collection and currently wears restored GCR colours. No. 506 is the only surviving GCR passenger locomotive.

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. The locomotive was placed on long term loan for display at Barrow Hill Engine Shed, near Chesterfield, in 2005. As of early 2014, No. 506 Butler-Henderson was still on display at Barrowhill Roundhouse,[1] next to British Railways Class A2 No. 60532 Blue Peter. According to the Great Central Railway Plc, it is to be exhibited at the proposed Leicester Museum (NRM Endorsed) along with LNER class V2 Green Arrow.

Stock list

References

  1. ^ "Director class "Butler Henderson", Great Central Railway". York: The Board of Trustees of the National Railway Museum. 6 February 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
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