The NER Class W was a class of ten 4-6-0T locomotives built by the North Eastern Railway at their Gateshead Works between 1907 and 1908. They were all rebuilt as Class W1 4-6-2T locomotives between 1914 and 1917.

NER Class W
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerWilson Worsdell
BuilderGateshead Works
Build date1907–08
Total produced10
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte4-6-0T
 • UIC2′C n2t
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Wheelbase26 ft 3 in (8.001 m)
Length40 ft 8+12 in (12.408 m)
Adhesive weight52 long tons (53 t; 58 short tons)
Loco weight69.85 long tons (70.97 t; 78.23 short tons)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity2.25 long tons (2.29 t; 2.52 short tons)
Water cap.1,500 imp gal (6,800 L; 1,800 US gal)
Firebox:
 • Grate area23 sq ft (2.1 m2)
Boiler pressure170 lbf/in2 (1.17 MPa)
Heating surface:
 • Firebox130 sq ft (12 m2)
 • Tubes1,182 sq ft (109.8 m2)
 • Total surface1,312 sq ft (121.9 m2)
CylindersTwo, inside
Cylinder size19 in × 26 in (483 mm × 660 mm)
Valve gearStephenson
Career
OperatorsNorth Eastern Railway
Numbers686–695
DispositionAll rebuilt as Class W1 (1914–1917)
[1]

The ten locomotives were built in one batch, and were numbered 686 to 695. They were designed for the Scarborough to Whitby line, on which the Class O 0-4-4T locomotives then in use were having difficulty with the traffic, especially the three-mile (4.8 km) section of 1 in 40 (2.5%).[2] However, the low fuel and water capacity was a barrier to operational efficiency, and so between September 1914 and January 1917 the whole class was rebuilt as 4–6–2T locomotives and reclassified W1.

Only one batch was built as the design was soon superseded by the Class D 4-4-4T.

Table of locomotives
NER No. Works No. Date built Date rebuilt
686 84 December 1907 May 1915
687 85 December 1907 January 1917
688 86 December 1907 September 1914
689 87 January 1908 May 1915
690 88 February 1908 August 1916
691 89 March 1908 June 1915
692 90 March 1908 May 1916
693 91 March 1908 February 1916
694 92 April 1908 May 1915
695 93 April 1908 July 1915

References

edit
  1. ^ Fry 1964, pp. 11–13.
  2. ^ Fry 1964, pp. 11–12.
  • Fry, E. V., ed. (April 1964). Locomotives of the L.N.E.R., part 7: Tank Engines - Classes A5 to H2. Kenilworth: RCTS. ISBN 0-901115-13-4.