LSWR B4 class

LSWR B4 Class
Preserved Normandy on the Bluebell Railway.
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Designer William Adams
Builder LSWR Nine Elms
Build date 1891 (10), 1893 (10), 1908 (5)
Total produced 25
Specifications
Configuration:
 ​
 • Whyte 0-4-0T
 • UIC Bn2t
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Driver dia. 3 ft 9 3⁄4 in (1.162 m)
Wheelbase 7 ft 0 in (2.134 m)
Length 24 ft 10 1⁄2 in (7.58 m)
Height 12 ft (3.66 m)
Loco weight 32.9 long tons (33.4 t; 36.8 short tons)
Fuel type Coal
Fuel capacity 0.5 long tons (0.51 t; 0.56 short tons)
Water cap 600 imp gal (2,700 L; 720 US gal)
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		 10.75 sq ft (0.999 m2)
Boiler pressure 140 psi (0.97 MPa)
Cylinders Two (outside)
Cylinder size 16 in × 22 in (406 mm × 559 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort 14,650 lbf (65.17 kN)
Career
Operators London and South Western Railway
Southern Railway
British Railways
Class LSWR: B4
SR: B4
Power class BR: 0F, later 1F
Retired 1948–1959
Disposition Two preserved, remainder scrapped

The London and South Western Railway B4 class is a class of 0-4-0T dock tank.

Construction

The London and South Western Railway's built twenty to a design by their Locomotive Superintendent William Adams at its Nine Elms Works during the 1891–1893 period. They were designed for shunting in locations with sharp curvature, and were used in places such as Southampton Docks (which the LSWR purchased in November 1892), the Poole Quay Line, and the Hamworthy Freight Branch.

Adams' successor, Dugald Drummond, designed and built a similar class of five in 1905, designating them the K14 class. However Drummond's successor considered them so similar, that they were merged in to the B4 class.

OrderYearQuantityLSWR numbersNotes
B418911085–94
D618931081, 95–100, 102, 103, 176
K1419085746, 747, 82–84746/747 renumbered 101/147 in 1922

Many locomotives were used by Southampton Docks, who had a tradition of giving their locomotives names rather than numbers. Consequently, fourteen locomotives received names while in dock service:

LSWR No.Name
85Alderney
81Jersey
86Havre
89Trouville
90Caen
93St Malo
95Honfleur
96Normandy
97Brittany
98Cherbourg
102Granville
176Guernsey
746Dinan
747Dinard

Service

The class were assigned to various depots around the LSWR system, including Southampton Docks, Eastleigh, Plymouth Friary, and Bournemouth. The Southern Railway also used them at Dover Marine, Ashford, Stewarts Lane and Guildford. They were also used to shunt the cramp goods yard at Winchester City railway station.

Table of withdrawals
YearQuantity in
service at
start of year		Quantity
withdrawn		Locomotive numbersNotes
194825430090, 30091, 30101, 3017630101 and 30176 sold
1949211030081, 30085, 30092, 30095,
30097–30100, 30103, 30147		All except 30085 sold
195711230082, 30094
19589130087
19598430083, 30084, 30086, 30088
19604130093
19633330089, 30096, 3010230096 and 30102 sold

Preservation

Two have survived into preservation:

  • No. 96 (BR no. 30096) Normandy was sold to Corrall Limited and used at their Southhampton coal depot, where it was named Corrall Queen. It has been preserved on the Bluebell Railway, where in the days before it has any diesels, it was often used where other heritage railways used a diesel shunter. It is at present at the end of its boiler certificate and is on static display awaiting overhaul.
  • No. 102 (BR no. 30102) Granville was purchased in 1964 after withdrawal by Butlins, and then put in display alongside LMS Royal Scot class 6100 Royal Scot at the firm's Skegness holiday camp. In 1971 it was moved to Bressingham Steam Museum near Diss, Norfolk, where it remains on display.[1]

References

  1. ↑ Stone 1999, p. 100.
  • Stone, Colin (1999). Rails to Poole Harbour. Usk, Monmouthshire: Oakwood Press. ISBN 0-85361-553-5.
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