GCR Class 9Q

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).

GCR Class 9Q
LNER Class B7
LNER 1386, (formerly 5034), at Darnall Locomotive Depot in 1949
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerJohn G. Robinson
Builder
Build date1921–1924
Total produced38
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-6-0
 • UIC2'C
Gauge4 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)
Length63 ft 0 in (19.202 m)
Loco weight127 long tons (129 t)
Fuel typeCoal
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		26 sq ft (2.4 m2)[1]
Boiler:
​
 • Diameter5 ft 3.5 in (1,613 mm) to 5 ft 6 in (1,680 mm) outside
Boiler pressure180 psi (1.24 MPa)
Heating surface2,044 sq ft (189.9 m2)[1]
Superheater:
​
 • Heating area343 sq ft (31.9 m2)[1]
CylindersFour
Cylinder size16 in × 26 in (406 mm × 660 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort29,953 lbf (133.2 kN)
Career
Operators
Retired1948–1950
DispositionAll 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.

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
YearMakerGCR Nos.LNER Nos.LNER 1942 Nos.BR Nos.BR 1949 No.
1921Gorton72, 73, 785072, 5073, 50781360–1362(61360–61362)—
1921Vulcan Foundry36–38, 458–5645036–5038, 5458–54641363–1372(61363–61372)61702–61703
1921–22Gorton465–4745465–54741373–1382(61373–61382)61704–61707
1922Beyer, Peacock31–355031–50351383–1387(61383–61387)61708–61709
1923–24Gorton475–482, –, –5475–54841388–1397(61388–61397)61710–61713

References
  1. Boddy et al. 1975, p. 38.
  2. Boddy et al. 1975, p. 42.
  • 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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