LCDR R class

The LCDR R class was a class of 0-4-4T locomotives on the London, Chatham and Dover Railway (LCDR). No. 207 (eventually no. 31666) is notable as being the last former LCDR locomotive to be withdrawn from service.[1] The whole class was fitted with condensing apparatus for working on the Widened Lines.[2]

Not to be confused with SER R class.

LCDR R class
No. 1675 at Tonbridge Locomotive Depot, 18 May 1946
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerWilliam Kirtley
BuilderSharp, Stewart & Co
Serial number3722–3739
Build dateSeptember–December 1891
Total produced18
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte0-4-4T
 • UICB2′ n2t
Gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Driver dia.5 ft 6 in (1.676 m)
Wheelbase21 ft 6 in (6.55 m)
Loco weight49.75 long tons (50.55 t)
Fuel capacity2 long tons (2.0 t)
Water cap1,100 imp gal (5,000 l; 1,300 US gal)
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		16.25 sq ft (1.510 m2)
Boiler pressure150 psi (1.03 MPa)
Heating surface1,071 sq ft (99.5 m2)
CylindersTwo, inside
Cylinder size17 in × 24 in (432 mm × 610 mm)
Train brakesWestinghouse
Career
Operators
ClassR
Numbers
  • LCDR: 199–216
  • SECR: 658–675
  • SR: A658–A675 → 1658–1675
  • BR: 31658–31675
NicknamesBobtails
WithdrawnMay 1940 – December 1955
DispositionAll scrapped

History

For many years the London, Chatham and Dover Railway (LCDR) had favoured the 0-4-4T wheel arrangement for suburban and stopping passenger trains, and when more were required in 1890, consideration was given to ordering a further batch of the existing A2 class 0-4-4T (introduced 1883); it was then decided that a modified design was required.[3] The R class locomotives were designed by William Kirtley as a development of his earlier A2 class,[3] and 18 were built by Sharp, Stewart & Co in 1891.[4][5]

Numbering

Their LCDR numbers were 199–216, which under the South Eastern and Chatham Railway became 658–675 from 1899.[4] They were renumbered three more times: to A658–A675 by the Southern Railway (SR) from 1923; to 1658–1675 by the SR from 1931; and to 31658–31675 by British Railways from 1948.

Withdrawal

Three (nos. 1664, 1668 & 1669) were withdrawn in 1940 to provides spares for the others,[1] and withdrawal of the rest occurred between 1949 and 1955.[6]

Table of withdrawals[7]
YearQuantity in
service at
start of year		Quantity
withdrawn		Numbers
19401831664, 1668, 1669
194915131672
195114331659, 31667, 31670
195211531658, 31665, 31673–31675
19536331660, 31662, 31663
19543131671
19552231661, 31666

See also

Notes
  1. Bradley 1979, p. 87.
  2. Smith 1994, p. 25.
  3. Bradley 1979, pp. 82–83.
  4. Bradley 1979, p. 83.
  5. Bradley 1979, pp. 87–88.
  6. Bradley 1979, pp. 87-88.
  7. Bradley 1960, p. 33.

References
  • Bradley, D.L. (March 1979) [1960]. The Locomotive History of the London, Chatham & Dover Railway (2nd ed.). London: RCTS. ISBN 0-901115-47-9.
  • Bradley, D.L. (1960). The Locomotives of the London, Chatham & Dover Railway (1st ed.). London: RCTS.
  • Smith, Martin (1994). Steam on the Underground. Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 0-7110-2282-8.
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