The GER Class Y65 was a class of twelve 2-4-2T steam locomotives designed by S. D. Holden and built by the company's Stratford Works in 1909–1910. They all passed to the London and North Eastern Railway at the 1923 grouping and received the classification F7.

GER Class Y65
LNER Class F7
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerS. D. Holden
BuilderStratford Works
Build date1909–1910
Total produced12
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte2-4-2T
 • UIC1B1 n2t
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Leading dia.3 ft 6 in (1.067 m)
Driver dia.4 ft 10 in (1.473 m)
Trailing dia.3 ft 6 in (1.067 m)
Length30 ft 11 in (9.42 m) over buffers
Axle load14.15 long tons (14.38 t)
Adhesive weight24.85 long tons (25.25 t)
Loco weight45.70 long tons (46.43 t)
Fuel capacity2.0 long tons (2.0 t)
Water cap.1,000 imp gal (4,500 L; 1,200 US gal)
Firebox:
 • Grate area12.2 sq ft (1.13 m2)
BoilerLNER diagram 42
Boiler pressure160 lbf/in2 (1.10 MPa)
Heating surface:
 • Firebox75.7 sq ft (7.03 m2)
 • Tubes797.2 sq ft (74.06 m2)
 • Total surface872 sq ft (81.0 m2)
CylindersTwo, inside
Cylinder size15 in × 22 in (381 mm × 559 mm)
Valve gearStephenson
Valve typeSlide valves
Loco brakeWestinghouse air
Train brakesWestinghouse air
Performance figures
Tractive effort11,607 lbf (51.63 kN)
Career
Operators
Class
  • GER: Y65
  • LNER: F7
NicknamesCrystal Palace tanks
Axle load classLNER: Route availability 2, except Scotland: 1
Withdrawn1931–1948
DispositionAll scrapped

History

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These locomotives were fitted with 15-by-22-inch (381 mm × 559 mm) cylinders and 4-foot-10-inch (1.473 m) diameter driving wheels. They were intended to displace the elderly E22 class 0-6-0T locomotives from their light branch line duties, but in the end, the E22s were the preferred locomotives for this work. They were all initially fitted with Westinghouse air brake equipment.

Table of orders and numbers[1]
Year Order Builder Quantity GER Nos. LNER Nos. 1942 No. 1946 No. Notes
1909 Y65 Stratford Works 2 1300–1301 8300–8301 7593
1909–10 A67 Stratford Works 10 1302–1311 8302–8311 7594–7598 7073–7094

Between 1915 and 1921 four (1303–1305, 1309) were fitted for push-pull working using the compressed air system; these required the fitting of an extra Westinghouse pump to the side of the locomotives. In 1924, 8307 was also push-pull fitted using the mechanical system for use on the Great Central section; no extra pump was needed, but it did gain a vacuum ejector. [2]

All had survived to pass to the LNER in 1923; the first retirement started in 1931 when four were withdrawn.

Three (8301/08/10) were sent to Scotland in 1931–32 and as a result of the move they had their Westinghouse air brake replaced with a steam brake and vacuum ejector.

The locomotives had large cabs, with large spectacle plate front and rear, which earned the nickname "Crystal Palace tanks"; those in Scotland were nicknamed "Tomato houses".

Withdrawals continued from 1938; six locomotives were left in 1942 when they were renumbered 7593–7598 in order to clear the 8300-block for new B1 class locomotives.[2]

Two locomotives lasted long enough to be renumbered in the 1946 scheme; they became the property of British Railways in 1948, but both were withdrawn the same year without receiving their BR number.

Table of withdrawals[1]
Year Quantity in
service at
start of year
Quantity
withdrawn
Locomotive numbers
1931 12 4 8302, 8306, 8309, 8311
1938 8 1 8300
1939 7 1 8303
1943 6 3 7593 (ex-8301), 7595 (ex-8305), 7596 (ex-8307)
1944 3 1 7594 (ex-8304)
1948 2 2 7093, (ex-7597, exx-8308) 7094 (ex-7598, exx-8310)

References

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  1. ^ a b Baxter 2012, pp. 96–97.
  2. ^ a b Fry 1964, p. 77.
  • Aldrich, C. Langley (1969). The Locomotives of the Great Eastern Railway 1862–1962 (7th ed.). Wickford, Essex: C. Langley Aldrich. OCLC 30278831.
  • Baxter, Bertram (2012). Baxter, David; Mitchell, Peter (eds.). British Locomotive Catalogue 1825–1923, Volume 6: Great Eastern Railway, North British Railway, Great North of Scotland Railway, Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway, remaining companies in the LNER group. Southampton: Kestrel Railway Books. p. 96–97. ISBN 978-1-905505-26-5.
  • Fry, E. V., ed. (April 1964). Locomotives of the L.N.E.R., part 7: Tank Engines - Classes A5 to H2. Kenilworth: RCTS. pp. 76–78. ISBN 0-901115-13-4.