GER Class C53

GER Class C53
LNER Class J70
8226 at Stratford locomotive depot, 28 September 1946
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Designer James Holden
Builder Stratford Works
Build date 1903–1921
Total produced 12
Specifications
Configuration:
 ​
 • Whyte 0-6-0T
 • UIC C n2t
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Driver dia. 3 ft 1 in (0.940 m)
Wheelbase 6 ft 8 in (2.032 m)
Length 20 ft 8 3⁄8 in (6.309 m)
Loco weight 27 long tons 1 cwt (60,600 lb or 27.5 t)
Fuel type Coal
Fuel capacity 15 long cwt (1,700 lb or 800 kg)
Water cap 625 imp gal (2,840 l; 751 US gal)
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		 9.2 sq ft (0.85 m2)
Boiler pressure 180 lbf/in2 (1.24 MPa)
Heating surface 348.08 sq ft (32.338 m2)
Cylinders Two, outside
Cylinder size 12 in × 15 in (305 mm × 381 mm)
Valve gear Walschaerts
Performance figures
Tractive effort 8,931 lbf (39.73 kN)
Career
Operators GER » LNER » BR
Class GER: C53
LNER: J70
Power class BR: 0F
Axle load class LNER/BR: RA 2
Withdrawn 1942 (1), 1949–1955
Disposition All scrapped

The GER Class C53 was a class of twelve 0-6-0T steam tram locomotives designed by James Holden for the Great Eastern Railway. They passed to the London and North Eastern Railway at the grouping, and received the LNER classification J70.

History

These locomotives had 12-by-15-inch (305 mm × 381 mm) outside cylinders driving 3-foot-1-inch (0.940 m) wheels; all enclosed by skirting. They were the first locomotives on the Great Eastern to use Walschaerts valve gear.[1] They were used on the Wisbech and Upwell Tramway and the ports of Great Yarmouth and Ipswich from the 1930s to the 1950s. They replaced earlier GER Class G15 0-4-0 of similar appearance.

Table of orders and numbers[1]
YearOrderBuilderQuantityGER No.LNER No.LNER 1944 No.Notes
1903C53Stratford Works2135–1367135–71368216–8217
1908C64Stratford Works3137–1397137–71398218, —, 8219
1910I67Stratford Works113071308220
1914P75Stratford Works3127–128, 1317127–7128, 71318221–8223
1921D85Stratford Works3125–126, 1297125–7126, 71268224–8226

The first withdrawal was in 1942. The remaining locomotives were renumbered 8216–8226 in 1944. The remaining eleven locomotives passed to British Railways in 1948 on nationalisation, and had 60000 added to their numbers. Withdrawals restarted in 1949, slowly at first, then more quickly, and the last went in 1955.[2]

Table of withdrawals[3]
YearQuantity in
service at
start of year		Quantity
withdrawn		Locomotive numbers
19421217138
194911168218
195110168221
19529168224
19538468216, 68217, 68219, 68220
19554468222, 68223, 68225, 68226

In fiction

Toby replica on Avon Valley Railway

The J70 was the inspiration for the character Toby the Tram Engine in The Railway Series by the Rev. W. Awdry, and the spin-off television series Thomas & Friends.

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 Aldrich 1969, p. 105
  2. ↑ Aldrich 1969, p. 106
  3. ↑ Allen et al. 1970, p. 102

Bibliography

  • Aldrich, C. Langley (1969). The Locomotives of the Great Eastern Railway 1862–1962 (7th ed.). Wickford, Essex: C. Langley Aldrich. OCLC 30278831.
  • Allen, D. W.; Boddy, M. G.; Brown, W. A.; Fry, E. V.; Hennigan, W.; Manners, F.; Neve, E.; Proud, P.; Roundthwaite, T. E.; Tee, D. F.; Yeadon, W. B. (November 1970). Fry, E. V., ed. Locomotives of the L.N.E.R., part 8A: Tank Engines - Classes J50 to J70. Kenilworth: RCTS. ISBN 0-901115-05-3.

Further reading

  • Awdry, Chris (September 1983). "Toby The Tram Engine & Other Stories...". Rail Enthusiast. EMAP National Publications. pp. 10–11, 13–14. ISSN 0262-561X. OCLC 49957965.
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