GNR Class H3

The Great Northern Railway Class H2 and H3 (classified K1 and K2 by the LNER) was a class of 2-6-0 steam locomotive designed for mixed-traffic work.

GNR Class H2 and H3
LNER Class K1 and K2
LNER K2 4652 pulling Pullman coaches
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerNigel Gresley
Builder
Serial number
  • Doncaster: 1354, 1372–1380, 1425–1426, 1428–1435, 1466–1475
  • NBL: 21971–21990
  • Kitsons: 5330–5354
Build date1912–21
Total producedK1: 10
K2: 10 rebuilt + 65 new
Rebuild date1920–1921, 1931–1937
Number rebuilt10
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte2-6-0
Gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Leading dia.3 ft 2 in (0.965 m)
Driver dia.5 ft 8 in (1.727 m)
Loco weightK1: 61.7 long tons (62.7 t; 69.1 short tons)
K2: 64.4 long tons (65.4 t; 72.1 short tons)
Fuel typeCoal
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		K1: 24.5 sq ft (2.28 m2)
K2: 24 sq ft (2.2 m2)
Boiler pressure180 psi (1.24 MPa)
CylindersTwo
Cylinder size20 in × 26 in (508 mm × 660 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort23,400 lbf (104.1 kN)
Career
OperatorsGreat Northern Railway, London and North Eastern Railway, British Railways
ClassGNR: H2 and H3
LNER: K1 and K2
Numbers
  • GNR: 1630–1704
  • LNER (1923): 4630-4704
  • LNER (1946): 1720–1794
  • BR: 61720–61794
NicknamesRagtimers
Withdrawn1955–1962
DispositionAll scrapped

The class was created as a locomotive which could haul heavier goods trains at speeds of up to 40mph. The class were later developed into the more powerful H4 (LNER K3) class. After formation of the London and North Eastern Railway, the type became known as class K1 and K2 and was adopted as an LNER standard design. They got the nickname "Ragtimers" because of their lively nature when running at speed and their use of Walschaerts valve gear which was uncommon on the GNR at the time.[1]

Construction

The ten K1s were built at the GNR's Doncaster Works in 1912–1913, to the design of Nigel Gresley. Five batches of K2s, also to the design of Gresley, were built at Doncaster, the North British Locomotive Company, and Kitson and Company between 1914 and 1921. These were the first design to incorporate Gresley's patented double swing link pony truck design.

Use

They were excellent mixed-traffic locomotives, but began to be displaced by the larger and stronger K3s. They were moved to former Great Eastern and North British lines to supplement existing engines. Twenty K2s were fitted with Westinghouse pumps so they could pull passenger trains from Liverpool Street on the Colchester and Cambridge lines.

Rebuilding

No. 4635 was rebuilt from K1 to K2 in 1920. No. 4631 was rebuilt in 1921. No further K1s were rebuilt until 1931, when a shortage of K1 boilers necessitated rebuilds. The remaining eight were rebuilt between 1931 and 1937, making the K1 class extinct.[2]

Numbering

The K1s were numbered 1630–1639 by the GNR, and became LNER 4630-4639. The K2s were numbered 1640–1704 by the GNR, and became LNER 4640-4704. In the LNER's 1946 renumbering programme, the K2s were renumbered 1720–1794, and they later became British Railways 61720–61794.[3]

Names

None of the K1s were named. However, some of the K2s based in Scotland received names in 1933–34.[4]

Number Name
LNER LNER 1946 BR
4674 1764 61764 Loch Arkaig
4682 1772 61772 Loch Lochy
4684 1774 61774 Loch Garry
4685 1775 61775 Loch Treig
4691 1781 61781 Loch Morar
4692 1782 61782 Loch Eil
4693 1783 61783 Loch Sheil [sic]
4697 1787 61787 Loch Quoich
4698 1788 61788 Loch Rannoch
4699 1789 61789 Loch Laidon
4700 1790 61790 Loch Lomond
4701 1791 61791 Loch Laggan
4704 1794 61794 Loch Oich

Withdrawal

All K2s were withdrawn and scrapped between 1955 and 1962.[5] None have survived into preservation.

Notes
  1. "The Gresley K1 and K2 2-6-0 Moguls". LNER.info. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  2. Boddy et al. 1982, pp. 61, 62.
  3. Boddy et al. 1982, pp. 60–61, 78.
  4. Boddy et al. 1982, p. 77.
  5. Boddy et al. 1982, p. 87.

References
  • Boddy, M.G.; Neve, E.; Tee, D.F.; Yeadon, W.B. (September 1982). Fry, E.V. (ed.). Locomotives of the L.N.E.R., part 6A: Tender Engines – Classes J38 to K5. Kenilworth: RCTS. ISBN 0-901115-53-3.
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