SR Class V

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SR Class V[1]
SR Class V
30926 Repton masquerading as 30925 Cheltenham at Cheltenham Racecourse Station on the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway.
Power type Steam
Designer Richard Maunsell
Builder SR Eastleigh Works
Build date 1930–1935
Total production 40
Configuration 4-4-0
Gauge 4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm)
Leading wheel size 3 ft 1 in (0.94 m)
Driver size 6 ft 7 in (2.4 m)
Length 59 ft (18 m)
Locomotive weight 110 tons (111.7 tonnes)
Fuel type coal
Fuel capacity 5 tons (5.1 tonnes)
Water capacity 4000 imp. gal (18,160 litres)
Boiler pressure 220 lbf/in² (1,516 kPa)
Fire grate area 28.3 ft² (2.54 m²)
Cylinders 3
Cylinder size 16.5 in × 26 in (43 cm × 66 cm)
Tractive effort 25,130 lbf (111.78 kN)
Career London and South Western Railway, Southern Railway (Great Britain), Southern Region of British Railways
Class 5P
Locale Great Britain

The SR Class V, more commonly known as the "Schools" Class is a class of steam locomotive designed by Richard Maunsell for the Southern Railway. It represents the ultimate development of the British 4-4-0 type, the last in a long line operating on Southern metals. The class was based upon Maunsell's Lord Nelson Class, and had some interchangeable components with this class. It represented the last utilisation of this wheel arrangement in Britain, and was regarded as the most powerful class of 4-4-0 in Britain, and possibly the world.

All 40 of the Schools Class were named after English public schools, and were designed to provide a powerful class of express passenger locomotive for the heavily restricted Tonbridge to Hastings line. Subjected to various modifications to improve performance, the class operated until 1963, when mass withdrawals took place. However three examples were not scrapped and are now preserved on heritage railways in Britain.

Contents

[edit] Background

A new express passenger locomotive was required on the Tonbridge–Hastings line in South East England as there were heavy restrictions regarding the tunnels on the route.[2] In order to improve performance over this stretch of line, Maunsell had to design a new locomotive that could operate within the loading gauge of the tunnels and operate over sharp curves. For this reason a short wheelbase was needed, with the 4-4-0 arrangement being favoured.[2]

[edit] Construction history

The basic layout of the class was heavily influenced by the existing Lord Nelson 4-6-0 design.[1] The design utilised many of the same parts for standardisation, but the design brief called for a smaller engine than the Lord Nelson for use on the Eastern Section's more restricted routes, namely the Tonbridge–Hastings line.[3]

In anticipation of this, Maunsell specifically designed the cab's curved profile to fit the restricted gauge of bridges and tunnels on the Hastings line.[1] The resultant short frame length of the 4-4-0 locomotive also meant very little overhang on the tight curves of this line.[2] In order to maintain the high power rating required of express passenger engines, Maunsell opted for a three-cylinder design.[1] This was a compromise, as a large two-cylinder layout was regarded as being out-of-gauge for the width restrictions of the Tonbridge–Hastings route.[3]

The resultant design had a higher tractive effort than the King Arthur Class, though at a cost in high axle-loading, which weighed in at 21 tons.[1] The trackwork on the Hastings line therefore had to be upgraded to accept the new locomotive.[2] The first batch of ten locomotives was released for service from Eastleigh in 1930. 30 more were constructed between then and 1935 as the locomotive's excellent characteristics were recognised and uses for it were found on other parts of the Southern Railway network.[3]

[edit] Naming the locomotives

With this class the Southern Railway continued its 1923 policy of naming its express passenger locomotives.[2] Since several public schools were located in the vicinity of Hastings and further afield on the Southern network, the locomotives were named after the schools.[1] This was another marketing success for both railway and schools concerned, continuing in the tradition of the "King Arthur" and "Lord Nelson" classes' relevance to the people of the Southern's Western Section.[3]

Where possible the Southern sent the newly constructed locomotive to a railway station near the school it was named after for official naming, where pupils were allowed to view the cab of "their" engine.[1] Extension of the class meant that names from "foreign" schools outside the Southern Railway catchment area were used, including "Rugby" and "Malvern".[3]

Number Name[4] Builder Built Withdrawn Notes
SR BR
900 30900 Eton Eastleigh 1930 1962
901 30901 Winchester Eastleigh 1930 1962
902 30902 Wellington Eastleigh 1930 1962
903 30903 Charterhouse Eastleigh 1930 1962
904 30904 Lancing Eastleigh 1930 1961
905 30905 Tonbridge Eastleigh 1930 1961
906 30906 Sherborne Eastleigh 1930 1962
907 30907 Dulwich Eastleigh 1930 1961
908 30908 Westminster Eastleigh 1930 1961
909 30909 St Paul's Eastleigh 1930 1962
910 30910 Merchant Taylors Eastleigh 1933 1961
911 30911 Dover Eastleigh 1933 1962
912 30912 Downside Eastleigh 1933 1962
913 30913 Christ's Hospital Eastleigh 1933 1962
914 30914 Eastbourne Eastleigh 1933 1961
915 30915 Brighton Eastleigh 1933 1962
916 30916 Whitgift Eastleigh 1934 1962
917 30917 Ardingly Eastleigh 1934 1962
918 30918 Hurstpierpoint Eastleigh 1934 1961
919 30919 Harrow Eastleigh 1934 1961
920 30920 Rugby Eastleigh 1934 1961
921 30921 Shrewsbury Eastleigh 1934 1962
922 30922 Marlborough Eastleigh 1934 1961
923 30923 Bradfield Eastleigh 1934 1962 Engine 923 was originally named Uppingham, but was renamed following objections from the school.
924 30924 Haileybury Eastleigh 1934 1962
925 30925 Cheltenham Eastleigh 1934 1962
926 30926 Repton Eastleigh 1934 1962
927 30927 Clifton Eastleigh 1934 1962
928 30928 Stowe Eastleigh 1934 1962
929 30929 Malvern Eastleigh 1934 1962
930 30930 Radley Eastleigh 1934 1962
931 30931 King's Wimbledon Eastleigh 1934 1961
932 30932 Blundells Eastleigh 1934 1961
933 30933 King's Canterbury Eastleigh 1934 1961
934 30934 St Lawrence Eastleigh 1934 1962
935 30935 Sevenoaks Eastleigh 1934 1962
936 30936 Cranleigh Eastleigh 1934 1962
937 30937 Epsom Eastleigh 1934 1962
938 30938 St Olave's Eastleigh 1934 1961
939 30939 Leatherhead Eastleigh 1934 1961

[edit] Livery and numbering

[edit] Southern Railway

When built, the Schools Class were outshopped in Maunsell's darker version of the LSWR passenger sage green livery lined in black and white, with cabside numbers and 'Southern' on the tender in yellow. [1] During the Second World War the locomotives were painted black with yellow lettering and numbers.[2] Later adaptations of the Southern Railway livery upon Bulleid's arrival as Chief Mechanical Engineer entailed malachite green livery, again with 'sunshine yellow' picking out the numbers and 'Southern' on the tender. The smoke deflectors (which were a later addition) were also treated with this livery.[1] Numbers allocated to the locomotives were 900–939.[1]

[edit] Post-1948 (nationalisation)

Initial livery after nationalisation in 1948 was modified Southern Railway malachite green and "sunshine yellow" with 'British Railways' on the tender, and the Southern numbering system was temporarily retained with an 'S' prefix, e.g. S900.[1] Initially the locomotives were repainted British Railways mixed traffic lined black and given the power classification 5P, though the choice of livery proved an unpopular decision considering the locomotives' duties.[2] They were subsequently outshopped in British Railways brunswick green livery with orange and black lining as they became due for overhaul.[1] By this stage the class had been renumbered under standard British Railways procedure, from 30900 to 30939.[5]

[edit] Operational details

932 "Blundells" at Eastleigh in 1948.
932 "Blundells" at Eastleigh in 1948.

The Schools Class was regarded as the most powerful 4-4-0 ever built in Britain, and was well liked by crews.[1] The fastest recorded speed for these locomotives was 95 mph, achieved by "Repton" in 1938, pulling four coaches.[3] However there was a drawback with such high power and relatively low weight; when starting the locomotive from a standstill, wheelslips frequently occurred, calling for skilled handling on the footplate.[3]

The reception given by footplate crews was such that more of the class were constructed for other parts of the network, though the electrification of the Southern's Eastern Section meant that they were dispersed from their original stamping grounds.[6] When operated by British Railways, two locomotives (30902 and 30921) were supplied with Lord Nelson tenders for use on the longer runs in the Western Section.[1]

[edit] Preservation

Three have been preserved:

  • Engine 928, "Stowe", was built in 1934 at a cost of £5,000 by the Eastleigh locomotive works of the Southern Railway. It recorded more than a million miles of passenger service operation during 38 years of Southern main line use.[7] It was purchased from British Railways for Lord Montagu's National Motor Museum when it was withdrawn for scrapping in 1962. It was moved to the East Somerset Railway, and then to the Bluebell Railway where it was put into running order. It was purchased from the motor museum by the Maunsell Locomotive Society, which intends to comprehensively rebuild the locomotive.[8]
  • Engine 926, "Repton", is owned by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. It was completed in May 1934 and entered service on the Bournemouth route, with some time operating between Waterloo and Portsmouth before that line was electrified. It was one of the last of the class to be overhauled by British Railways in 1960, so was considered a good choice for preservation. In December 1963 the engine was withdrawn from service, and in 1966 it was purchased and overhauled at Eastleigh, before moving to the USA.[9] It was donated by the purchaser to Steamtown in Vermont, USA. Steamtown loaned the engine to the Cape Breton Steam Railway in Canada, where it operated a regular passenger service. In 1989 it was sold again, and returned to the UK to the NYMR, where it was again overhauled and found to be in good condition. It now runs on the NYMR.[3]

[edit] Remaining artefacts of other class members

When the locomotives were withdrawn from service, BR presented their nameplates to the appropriate schools.[1]

  • The nameplate from 900 "Eton" is now displayed in the School of Mechanics within Eton College.
  • The nameplate from 907 "Dulwich" is now displayed by the Model Railway Society within Dulwich College.
  • The nameplate from 908 "Westminster" is now displayed in the science block of Westminster School.
  • The nameplate fro 910 "Merchant Taylors" is now displayed in the sixth form common room of Merchant Taylors school in Northwood.
  • The nameplate from 912 "Downside" is now displayed in Downside School.
  • The nameplate from 918 "Hurstpierpoint" is now displayed in the science block of Hurstpierpoint College.
  • The nameplate from 930 "Radley" is now displayed in the shop's stationery department of Radley College.
  • The nameplate from "Uppingham" is now displayed in the Undercroft under the great hall of Uppingham School.
  • The nameplate from 939 "Leatherhead" is now displayed along with a 00 scale model of the loco at St John's School, Leatherhead.

[edit] Gallery

30913 "Christ's Hospital" in BR days.

928 "Stowe" at the Bluebell Railway

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Swift, Peter: Maunsell 4-4-0 Schools Class (Locomotives in Detail series volume 6) (Hinckley: Ian Allan Publishing, 2007), ISBN 0711031789
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Townroe, S.C.: 'Arthurs', 'Nelsons' & 'Schools' at work (London: Ian Allan, 1973)
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Herring, Peter, Classic British Steam Locomotives (Abbeydale Press: London, 2000) Section "V ('Schools') Class" Pages 124 to 125 ISBN 1861470576
  4. ^ Burridge, Frank: Nameplates of the Big Four (Oxford Publishing Company: Oxford, 1975) ISBN 0-90288-843-9
  5. ^ Ian Allan ABC of British Railways Locomotives, Winter 1958–59 edition
  6. ^ Haresnape, Brian: Maunsell Locomotives - a pictorial history (Ian Allan Ltd, 1977), ISBN 0711007438
  7. ^ Maunsell Society website [1], retrieved May 16, 2007. For information on Stowe's preservation history.
  8. ^ Southern E-Group (2003)[2], Retrieved May 16, 2007. For further information on Stowe's preservation history.
  9. ^ North Yorkshire Moors Railway (2000) [3] , Retrieved May 16, 2007. For information on Repton's post-BR history.

[edit] Further reading

  • Ian Allan ABC of British Railways Locomotives, Winter 1958–59 edition

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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Principal Locomotives of the Southern Railway
Urie:
Maunsell:

N15 (King Arthur) class • SR Lord Nelson class • N class – N1 class • N15X class • Q class • U class – U1 class • V (Schools) class • W class • Z class
Bulleid:
Non-steam locomotives:
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