NSR M Class

The North Staffordshire Railway (NSR) M Class was a class of 0-4-4T steam locomotive designed by John H. Adams, third son of William Adams. It was designed for suburban passenger work on the potteries loop lines. They shared components such as a drumhead smokebox which rested on the saddle and an almost identical boiler with the NSR L class.[1] The boiler of the M class later became a standard boiler for the NSR, it being used on the NSR's New L class and H class. The M class introduced a new form of cab roof which curved around to join the cab sides, as with the Midland Railway at the time, and was soon copied by the SE&CR.[2] 5 were built between 1907 and 1908 at the NSR's Stoke Works and withdrawals taking place between 1930 and 1939.[1] None survived into preservation.

NSR M Class
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer John Henry Adams Builder NSR Stoke works Build date 1907-1920 Total produced 5
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-4-4  • UIC B2 Gauge 4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Driver dia. 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) Trailing dia. 3 ft 7 in (1,092 mm) Wheelbase Loco: 22 ft 9 in (6.93 m) Length 35 ft 5 in (10.80 m) Height 12 ft 10 ^1⁄2 in (3.92 m) Loco weight 56 long tons 0 cwt (125,400 lb or 56.9 t) full Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 2 long tons 15 cwt (6,200 lb or 2.8 t) Water cap 1,300 imp gal (5,900 l; 1,600 US gal) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 17.8 sq ft (1.65 m^2) Boiler pressure 175 psi (1.21 MPa) Heating surface:  • Tubes and flues 1,011.7 sq ft (93.99 m^2)  • Firebox 108.3 sq ft (10.06 m^2) Cylinders Two, inside Cylinder size 18 ^1⁄2 in × 26 in (470 mm × 660 mm)
Career Operators North Staffordshire Railway London, Midland and Scottish Railway Class NSR: M Class Number in class 5 Retired September 1930 – September 1939 Disposition All 5 scrapped

All entered the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) stock upon formation in 1923 with little modification, other than replacing the original Ramsbottom safety valves with Ross-pop type.[1] With the LMS' policy of standardisation, many NSR classes were prime targets for early scrapping due to the small size of the classes. As a result, all save one was withdrawn by 1936, having been displaced by more modern six-coupled tanks. This last locomotive had the distinction of being the last NSR locomotive to remain in service save the battery electric shunter, but by the final days was reduced to shunting duties.[1]

The livery of the M class was the NSR's Madder lake with straw lining, and NORTH STAFFORD lettering on the side tanks along with the company crest. The number appeared on the bunker. In LMS days all received the crimson lake passenger livery of the early LMS with large numerals on the side tanks and the company crest on the bunker, but by 1928 they were repainted in plain black with L M S written on the tanks and number on the bunker.[1]

List of locomotives

NSR number	Built	LMS number	Withdrawn	Notes
9	December 1907	1431	January 1936
11	December 1907	1432	October 1935
12	January 1908	1433	October 1935
41	March 1908	1434	March 1939
42	March 1908	1435	August 1930

References

1. Hopkins, Ken (1986). North Staffordshire Locomotives: An Illustrated History. Trent Valley Publications. pp. 56–57. ISBN 0-948131-14-4.
2. Christiansen, Rex & Miller, Robert William (1971). The North Staffordshire Railway. Newton Abbot, Devon: David & Charles. p. 230. ISBN 0-7153-5121- 4.