SER Q class

The SER Q class was a class of 0-4-4T steam locomotives of the South Eastern Railway. The class was designed by James Stirling and introduced in 1881.[1] These locomotives should not be confused with the later SR Q class 0-6-0.

SER Q class
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer James Stirling Build date 1881–1897 Total produced 118
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-4-4T  • UIC B2′ n2 Gauge 4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Driver dia. 5 ft 6 in (1.676 m) Trailing dia. 3 ft 0 in (0.914 m) Wheelbase 22 ft (7 m) Axle load 16 long tons (16.3 t) Loco weight 48.65 long tons (49.4 t) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 0.15 long tons (0.2 t) Water cap 1,050 imp gal (4,800 L; 1,260 US gal) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 16 sq ft (1 m^2) Boiler pressure 140 lbf/in^2 (0.97 MPa) Heating surface:  • Tubes and flues 922.5 sq ft (85.70 m^2) Cylinders Two, inside Cylinder size 18 in × 26 in (457 mm × 660 mm) Valve gear Stephenson
Performance figures Tractive effort 15,189 lbf (67.56 kN)
Career Operators South Eastern Railway → South Eastern and Chatham Railway → Southern Railway Class Q Number in class 1 January 1923: 32 Withdrawn 1907–1929 Disposition All scrapped

Rebuilding

The locomotives passed to the South Eastern and Chatham Railway in 1899 and 55 were rebuilt by Harry Wainwright to class Q1 between 1903 and 1919.

Numbering

Thirty-two unrebuilt locomotives survived into Southern Railway ownership on 1 January 1923 with random numbers between 6 and 424. All had been withdrawn by 1929.

Table of withdrawals

Year	Quantity in service at start of year	Quantity withdrawn	Locomotive numbers	Notes
1925	32	1	A346
1926	31	15	A40, A72, A73, A82, A135, A220, A237, A345, A352, A358, A360, A405, A417, A418, A422
1927	16	11	A6, A26, A136, A169, A235, A356, A399, A410, A414, A421, A424
1928	5	3	A23, A173, A401
1929	2	2	A349, A368

References

1. Casserley & Johnston 1974, p. 42.

Bibliography

• Ahrons, E.L. (1926). The British Steam Railway Locomotive. Ian Allan.
• Casserley, H.C.; Johnston, S.W. (1974). Locomotives at the Grouping 1, Southern Railway. Ian Allan. ISBN 0-7110-0552-4.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)