The GCR Class 9Q, classified B7 by the LNER, was a class of 4-6-0 mixed traffic locomotives designed by John G. Robinson for fast goods, relief passenger and excursion services on the Great Central Railway. They were a smaller wheeled version of Robinson's earlier Class 9P "Lord Faringdon" express passenger class (LNER Class B3).

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GCR Class 9Q LNER Class B7
LNER 1386, (formerly 5034), at Darnall Locomotive Depot in 1949
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer John G. Robinson Builder Gorton Works, (23) Vulcan Foundry, (10) Beyer, Peacock and Company (5) Build date 1921–1924 Total produced 38
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-6-0  • UIC 2'C Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Leading dia. 3 ft 6 in (1.067 m) Driver dia. 5 ft 8 in (1.727 m) Length 63 ft 0 in (19.202 m) Loco weight 127 long tons (129 t) Fuel type Coal Firebox:  • Firegrate area 26 sq ft (2.4 m2)[1] Boiler: ​  • Diameter 5 ft 3.5 in (1,613 mm) to 5 ft 6 in (1,680 mm) outside Boiler pressure 180 psi (1.24 MPa) Heating surface 2,044 sq ft (189.9 m2)[1] Superheater: ​  • Heating area 343 sq ft (31.9 m2)[1] Cylinders Four Cylinder size 16 in × 26 in (406 mm × 660 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 29,953 lbf (133.2 kN)
Career Operators Great Central Railway → London and North Eastern Railway → British Railways Retired 1948–1950 Disposition All scrapped

History

GCR locomotives

The GCR built two batches at Gorton locomotive works, during 1921 and 1922, and they also ordered batches from Vulcan Foundry and the Beyer, Peacock and Company. Twenty eight locomotives had been delivered by Grouping in 1923. The GCR found that they were rather heavy on coal - this led to their nickname of "Black Pigs" - although not much worse than other 4 cylinder designs of the time. They were also remarkably quick to say that they had only 5ft 8in wheels and often pulled heavy expresses in the early period of their career.^{[citation needed]}

LNER locomotives

The London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) ordered a fifth batch of ten locomotives from Gorton works and these were delivered between August 1923 and March 1924.[2]

Sub-classes

The last batch had reduced boiler mountings and detail differences to the cab to conform to the new LNER loading gauge. These were classified B7/2. The earlier batches were classified B7/1.

Thirty-eight locomotives passed to British Railways in 1948, but withdrawal began soon afterwards. Some locomotives surviving in 1949 were renumbered between 61702 and 61713 to make more room for Thompson Class B1 locomotives then under construction.

Preservation

None have been preserved.

Numbering

References

• Boddy, M. G.; Brown, W. A.; Fry, E. V.; Hennigan, W.; Hoole, Ken; Manners, F.; Neve, E.; Platt, E. N. T.; Proud, P.; Yeadon, W. B. (March 1975). Fry, E. V. (ed.). Locomotives of the L.N.E.R., Part 2B: Tender Engines—Classes B1 to B19. Lincoln: RCTS. ISBN 0-901115-73-8.

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