NCC Class B3

The LMS (Northern Counties Committee) Class B3 4-4-0 passenger steam locomotives were rebuilds of Belfast and Northern Counties Railway (BNCR) two-cylinder compound locomotives. They operated services throughout the NCC’s 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) broad gauge system in the north-east of Ireland.

NCC Class B3
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Beyer, Peacock & Co., Gorton Foundry, Manchester Build date 1890–1898 Rebuilder NCC, York Road works, Belfast Rebuild date 1927–1931
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-4-0 Gauge 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) Leading dia. 3 ft 0 in (0.914 m) Driver dia. 6 ft 0 in (1.829 m) Wheelbase 40 ft 9 ^1⁄4 in (12.43 m) including tender Length 49 ft 6 in (15.09 m) Width 8 ft 4 in (2.54 m) Height 13 ft 2 in (4.01 m) Axle load 16 long tons 0 cwt (35,800 lb or 16.2 t) Adhesive weight 30 long tons 8 cwt (68,100 lb or 30.9 t) Loco weight 45 long tons 2 cwt (101,000 lb or 45.8 t) Total weight 72 long tons 0 cwt (161,300 lb or 73.2 t) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 6 long tons (13,400 lb (6.1 t) Water cap 2,120 imperial gallons (9,600 l; 2,550 US gal) Boiler pressure Nos.21, 24, 28: 160 psi (1.10 MPa) Nos.60, 61: 200 psi (1.38 MPa) Heating surface 1,038 sq ft (96.4 m^2)  • Tubes 508.7 sq ft (47.26 m^2)  • Firebox 103 sq ft (9.6 m^2) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 233.7 sq ft (21.71 m^2) Cylinders Two Cylinder size 18 in × 24 in (457 mm × 610 mm) Valve gear Walschaerts Valve type 8-inch (203 mm) piston valves Train brakes Automatic vacuum
Performance figures Tractive effort Nos.21, 24, 28: 14,688 lbf (65.3 kN) Nos.60, 61: 18,360 lbf (81.7 kN)
Career Operators LMS NCC Number in class 5 Nicknames Whippet Scrapped 1938–1947

History

The locomotives that comprised the Northern Counties Committee Class B3 were rebuilds of two classes of BNCR "Light Compounds". These had been built by Beyer, Peacock and Company in the 1890s to the design of the BNCR Locomotive Engineer Bowman Malcolm. The first two members of the class were originally Class C Light Compound 2-4-0s. Rebuilding began with No.28 in 1927 and No.21 in the following year. The other three Class B3 locomotives (24, 60 and 61) were derived from Class B Light Compounds whose only original difference was that they had always been 4-4-0s and not 2-4-0s.

However, before alteration to Class B3, Nos.60 and 61 had already undergone an earlier rebuilding to become Class B1 compounds in 1921 to be followed by No.51 in August 1926. On the other hand, No.24 was rebuilt as a simple (i.e. not compound) in February 1925 to become the solitary member of the somewhat ephemeral Class B2.

All five engines had 18 by 24 inches (460 mm × 610 mm) cylinders with 8-inch (203 mm) piston valves and retained their 6 ft 0 in (1.829 m) driving wheels. The first three members of the class had boilers rated at 160 psi (1.10 MPa) but Nos.60 and 61 had the advantage of 200 psi (1.38 MPa) boilers.

During rebuilding, they were fitted with LMS standard boilers that had to be placed higher than the originals to allow the firebox and ash pan to clear the rear driving wheel axle. The smokebox saddle was extended accordingly to offer support. The closely coupled driving wheels accentuated the appearance of the high-pitched boiler, earning these engines the nickname of "Whippet" because of a perceived resemblance to the breed of racing dog.

All members of the class were officially named after Ulster counties.

No.28 was withdrawn in December 1938 having run just over a quarter million miles in her rebuilt form. The remaining locomotives served throughout World War II and were scrapped in 1946–1947.

Building and withdrawal data

The following table summarises the rebuilding and renumbering history of the Class B3 locomotives.

Original No.	Class	Date Built	Date Rebuilt	Class	Rebuilt to B3	New No.	Name	Scrapped
51	C	May 1890	1926 August	B1	December 1928	21	County Down	June 1947
24	B	May 1898	1925 February	B2	September 1928	24	County Londonderry	June 1947
58	C	April 1890	—	—	June 1927	28	County Tyrone	December 1938
60	B	July 1897	1921	B1	June 1932	60	County Donegal	October 1946
61	B	October 1897	1921	B1	January 1932	61	County Antrim	October 1946

Livery

The Class B3 locomotives were painted in crimson lake with yellow and black lining. The LMS crest was carried on the upper cab sides. The initials "NCC" in shaded serif gold capital letters were placed centrally on the tender sides. Number plates were brass with raised digits and edge; they were carried on the lower cab sides with another placed centrally on the back of the tender tank. Curved nameplates were fitted above the leading driving wheel splashers. Buffer beams and number plate and name plate backgrounds were painted red. The engine number was applied to the front buffer beam in shaded gold digits.

References

• Arnold, R.M. (1973). NCC Saga. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. ISBN 0 7153 5644 5.
• Arnold, R.M. (1973). Supplement to NCC Saga. Whitehead: Railway Preservation Society of Ireland.
• London Midland and Scottish Railway (Northern Counties Committee). Class B3 general arrangement drawing. Belfast: LMS (NCC).