LNER Class A8

The London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) Class A8 was a type of 4-6-2T steam locomotive, designed by both Vincent Raven and Nigel Gresley. They were rebuilt from the LNER Class H1, a 4-4-4T. In 1931, H1 No. 2162 was rebuilt as a 4-6-2T and given the A8 classification.

LNER Class A8
A8 4-6-2T No. 69873 at Middlesbrough Locomotive Depot 1954
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerVincent Raven and Nigel Gresley
Build date1931–1936
Total produced45
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-6-2T
 • UIC2′C1′ h3t
Leading dia.3 ft 1 1⁄4 in (0.946 m)
Driver dia.5 ft 9 in (1.753 m)
Trailing dia.3 ft 9 in (1.143 m)
Wheelbase33 ft 3 in (10.13 m)
Length42 ft 6 in (12.95 m)
Axle load17.8 long tons (18.1 t; 19.9 short tons)
Loco weight86.8 long tons (88.2 t; 97.2 short tons)
Fuel capacity4 long tons (4.1 t; 4.5 short tons)
Water cap2,000 imp gal (9,100 l; 2,400 US gal)
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		23 sq ft (2.1 m2)
Boiler4 ft 9 in (1.45 m)
Boiler pressure175 psi (1.21 MPa)
Heating surface1,084.6 sq ft (100.76 m2)
 • Tubes680 sq ft (63 m2)
 • Flues280.6 sq ft (26.07 m2)
 • Firebox124 sq ft (11.5 m2)
Superheater:
​
 • Heating area191.134 sq ft (17.757 m2)
Cylinders3
Cylinder size16 1⁄2 in × 26 in (419 mm × 660 mm)
Valve gearStephenson
Performance figures
Tractive effort22,940 lbf (102.0 kN)
Career
OperatorsLondon and North Eastern Railway, British Railways
Withdrawn1957–1960
DispositionAll scrapped

Overview

After a series of trials throughout the North East Area, all of the remaining H1s were rebuilt as A8 4-6-2Ts between 1933 and 1936. During the process of rebuilding, the boiler was modified to include a Robinson-type superheater rather than the original Schmidt superheater. In 1935, further modifications resulted in the A8 boiler being interchangeable with the A6, A7, A8, H1, and T1 classes.

Service

The rebuilt A8s could easily work the heavy suburban traffic and long distance coastal trains on which they were put to work. They were also welcome replacements for the ageing G5 0-4-4Ts which had been working these services. Allocations of the 45 locomotives were split between the North East / Newcastle area, the Yorkshire Coast Whitby and Scarborough, Hull, and Leeds (Neville Hill).

Technical details
  • Weight: 86 long tons 18 cwt (194,700 lb or 88.3 t)
  • Boiler pressure: 175 lbf/in2 (1.21 MPa), superheated
  • Cylinders: three, 16.5 by 26 in (419 by 660 mm)
  • Driving wheels: 5 ft 9 in (1.753 m)
  • Tractive effort: 22,940 lbf (102.0 kN)
  • Number sequence in (1957/57) was from 69850 to 69894 (previously 9850 to 9894).[1]

Withdrawal

Diesel railcars were rapidly introduced during the 1950s, and the A8s quickly became surplus to requirements. Withdrawals started in 1957, and the A8 was extinct by the end of 1960.

References
  1. "Steam Loco Class Information". Rail UK. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  • Yeadon, Willie (2001). Yeadon's Register of LNER Locomotives. Vol. 21: Class A5 to A8, H1, H2, L1(L3), L2, M1 and M2 tank engines. Booklaw/Railbus.
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