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LNWR Claughton Class

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LNWR Claughton Class
No. 2222 Sir Gilbert Claughton in photographic grey
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerCharles Bowen Cooke
BuilderCrewe Works
Serial number5117, 5138–5146, 5227–5246, 5267–5296, 5502–5571
Build date1913–1921
Total produced130
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte4-6-0
 • UIC2′C h4
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Leading dia.3 ft 3 in (0.991 m)
Driver dia.6 ft 9 in (2.057 m)
Loco weight77.75 long tons (79.00 t)
Boiler pressure
  • 175 lbf/in2 (1.21 MPa)
  • 200 lbf/in2 (1.38 MPa) †‡
Heating surface2,232 sq ft (207.4 square metres)
SuperheaterSchmidt
CylindersFour
Cylinder size15+34 in × 26 in (400 mm × 660 mm)
Valve gear
Performance figures
Tractive effort
  • 27,072 lbf (120.42 kN)
  • 29,570 lbf (131.53 kN) †‡
Career
Operators
Power classLMS: 5P, 5XP ‡†
Withdrawn1929–1949
DispositionAll scrapped

The London and North Western Railway (LNWR) Claughton Class was a class of 4-cylinder express passenger 4-6-0 steam locomotives.

History

The locomotives were introduced in 1913, the first of the class No. 2222 was named in honour of Sir Gilbert Claughton, who was the Chairman of the LNWR at that time. A total of 130 were built, all at Crewe works up to 1921. Author Brian Reed points out that weight restrictions and equipment limitations at Crewe limited the size of the boiler, hence engine power. Cylinder design and valve events were not optimal, so the Claughton Class was a mediocre performer on the track. [1]

The LNWR reused numbers and names from withdrawn locomotives, with the result that the numbering was completely haphazard. An exception was made for the LNWR's war memorial locomotive, 1920 - built Patriot, which acquired the number 1914 from a Renown Class locomotive. The LMS renumbered them into the more logical series 5900–6029, no. 1914 becoming 5964.[2] Twenty were rebuilt by the LMS with larger boilers, and ten of these had Caprotti valve gear. Twelve others were rebuilt as the initial engines of the LMS Patriot Class, though not much material was reused.

LMS No. 5986 c.1928, with enlarged boiler

From 1927 with the introduction of the LMS Royal Scot Class, the Claughtons' main work had been taken away and many were transferred to the Midland Division. At the end of 1937, all but four, nos. 5946, 6004, 6017 and 6023, had been withdrawn. These were retained in service until further repair became unworthwhile; three of them were withdrawn in 1940–41, leaving no. 6004 which was regularly used to haul fitted freight trains between London and Edge Hill, becoming increasingly dirty.[3] Inherited by British Railways in 1948, it was allocated the BR number 46004 but was withdrawn in 1949 without it being applied. None were preserved.

Accidents and incidents

  • On 12 February 1929, locomotive No. 5977 was hauling an express passenger train that was in a head-on collision with a freight train at Doe Hill station, Derbyshire. Two people were killed.[4]
  • On 6 March 1930, locomotive No. 5971 was hauling a passenger train that departed from Culgaith station, Cumberland against signals. It subsequently collided with a ballast train at Langwathby. Two people were killed and four were seriously injured.[5]
  • On 13 March 1935, locomotive No. 5946 was hauling an express freight train which stopped in the section between Nash Mills and King's Langley signalboxes, Hertfordshire due to an engine defect. A milk train was in a head-on collision with it due to a signalman's error. Two other freight trains collide with the wreckage. One person was killed.[6]

Details

  • † Locomotives fitted with larger boilers from 1928.
  • ‡ Locomotives fitted with Caprotti valve gear and larger boilers from 1928.

References

  1. ^ Reed, Brian, 1970, Locomotives - A Picture History, p58
  2. ^ Casserley & Johnston 1974, p. 70
  3. ^ Toms, Essery & James 2006, pp. 57–58
  4. ^ Earnshaw 1991, p. 22
  5. ^ Hall 1990, p. 95
  6. ^ Hall 1990, p. 99
  7. ^ "Details of accident at Doe Hill" (PDF).
  • Baxter, Bertram (1979). Baxter, David (ed.). British Locomotive Catalogue 1825–1923, Volume 2B: London and North Western Railway and its constituent companies. Ashbourne, Derbyshire: Moorland Publishing Company. pp. 285–290. ISBN 0-903485-84-2.
  • Casserley, H. C. & Johnston, Stuart W. (1974) [1966]. Locomotives at the Grouping 3: London, Midland and Scottish Railway. Shepperton, Surrey: Ian Allan. pp. 69–71. ISBN 0-7110-0554-0.
  • Earnshaw, Alan (1991). Trains in Trouble: Vol. 7. Penryn: Atlantic Books. ISBN 0-906899-50-8. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Hall, Stanley (1990). The Railway Detectives. London: Ian Allan. ISBN 0 7110 1929 0. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Toms, George; Essery, R.J.; James, F. (2006). Historical Locomotive Monographs No. 3: Claughton & Patriot 4-6-0s. Didcot: Wild Swan Publications Ltd. ISBN 1-905184-19-0. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Yeadon, W. B. A Compendium of LNWR Locomotives 1912–1949, Volume 1. Nottingham: Challenger Publications. ISBN 978-1-901945-90-4. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)