The LCDR R1 class was a class of 0-4-4T locomotives on the South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SECR), which were based on an existing London, Chatham and Dover Railway (LCDR) design.

R1 class
No. 1706 at London Bridge, March 1948
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderSharp, Stewart and Company
Serial number4668–4682
Build dateNovember–December 1900
Total produced15
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte0-4-4T
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Driver dia.5 ft 6 in (1.676 m)
Trailing dia.3 ft 6 in (1.067 m)
Wheelbase21 ft 10 in (6.65 m)
Axle load16 long tons (16 t)
Adhesive weight31.3 long tons (31.8 t)
Loco weight51.45 long tons (52.28 t)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity2 long tons (2.0 t)
Water cap.1,100 imp gal (5,000 L; 1,300 US gal)
Firebox:
 • Grate area16+14 sq ft (1.51 m2)
Boiler pressure155 psi (1,070 kPa)
Heating surface:
 • Firebox99 sq ft (9.2 m2)
 • Tubes972 sq ft (90.3 m2)
 • Total surface1,071 sq ft (99.5 m2)
CylindersTwo, inside
Cylinder size17+12 in × 24 in (444 mm × 610 mm)
Train brakesVacuum & Westinghouse
Career
Operators
ClassR1
Power classBR: 1P
Numbers
  • SE&CR: 696–710
  • SR: A696–A710 → 1696–1710
  • BR: 31696–31710
Withdrawn1929, 1949–56
DispositionAll scrapped
[1]

History edit

For many years, the two constituents of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway SECR - the London, Chatham and Dover Railway and the South Eastern Railway (SER) - had both favoured the 0-4-4T wheel arrangement for suburban and stopping passenger trains. The SER's most recent design was James Stirling's Q class 0-4-4T, which had been produced between 1881 and 1897,[2] whereas the LCDR had the more modern R class 0-4-4T of William Kirtley's design, which dated from 1891.[3] When more 0-4-4T engines were required soon after the formation of the SECR in 1899, the company had two options: to build more of either or both of the existing designs, or to produce a new design. It was intended that a range of standard designs would be produced which would be suitable for use across the whole SECR system, however until these were ready, it was decided to order more of the LCDR's existing R class design, but with modifications.[4]

Numbering edit

Fifteen of these locomotives were built by Sharp, Stewart and Company in 1900; their SECR numbers were 696–710 – nos. 696–705 were for use on the former LCDR routes, whilst nos. 706–710 were for the old SER system.[5] Originally they were included in the R class, but were separated into a new R1 class in January 1901.[4] No more were built, because by the time that further 0-4-4Ts were required, Wainwright's H class design was ready; it owed much to the R1 class.[6]

Renumbering

The R1 class locos were renumbered three times: to A696-710 by the Southern Railway (SR) from 1923; to 1696-1710 by the SR from 1931; and to 31696-31710 by British Railways from 1948.[7]

Withdrawal edit

Two (nos. A701 and A702) were withdrawn in 1929,[8] and withdrawal of the rest occurred between 1949 and 1956.[9]

Notes edit

  1. ^ Bradley 1979, pp. 83, 88, 91.
  2. ^ Bradley 1985, p. 160.
  3. ^ Bradley 1979, p. 83.
  4. ^ a b Bradley 1979, p. 88.
  5. ^ Bradley 1979, pp. 88, 91.
  6. ^ Bradley 1980, p. 23.
  7. ^ Bradley 1979, p. 18.
  8. ^ Bradley 1979, pp. 89, 91.
  9. ^ Bradley 1979, pp. 90–91.

References edit

  • Bradley, D.L. (March 1979). The Locomotive History of the London, Chatham & Dover Railway (2nd ed.). London: RCTS. ISBN 0-901115-47-9.
  • Bradley, D.L. (April 1980) [1961]. The Locomotive History of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway (2nd ed.). London: RCTS. ISBN 0-901115-49-5.
  • Bradley, D.L. (September 1985) [1963]. The Locomotive History of the South Eastern Railway (2nd ed.). London: RCTS. ISBN 0-901115-48-7.