SER 235 class

The SER 235 class was a class of 0-4-4T steam locomotives on the South Eastern Railway. Introduced in 1866, they were the first locomotives of this wheel arrangement to be built for an English railway.

235 class Class J
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer James I. Cudworth Builder Brassey & Co Build date 1866
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-4-4WT Driver dia. 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) Trailing dia. 3 ft 8 in (1.12 m) Wheelbase 20 ft 6 in (6.25 m) Loco weight 34.65 long tons (35.21 t) Fuel type Coke Fuel capacity 1.25 long tons (1,270 kg) Water cap 850 imp gal (3,900 l) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 10.5 sq ft (0.98 m^2) Boiler pressure 130 psi (0.90 MPa) Heating surface 903 sq ft (83.9 m^2) Cylinders Two, inside Cylinder size 15 in × 20 in (380 mm × 510 mm)
Career Operators South Eastern Railway Number in class 7 Numbers 235–241 Delivered July–August 1866 Withdrawn June 1887–June 1893 Disposition All scrapped

History

Until 1864 the South Eastern Railway had very few tank locomotives.[1] In that year the 205 class 0-4-2T locomotives were introduced, for use on the London suburban passenger services; they were designed by James I. Cudworth, the company's locomotive superintendent.[1] They performed well, but their capabilities were restricted by the small fuel and water capacities;[2] so after twelve of these were in service, Cudworth produced an enlarged version of the design. With the fuel capacity raised from 0.75 long tons (760 kg) to 1.25 long tons (1,270 kg) and the water capacity raised from 690 imperial gallons (3,100 l) to 850 imp gal (3,900 l), the extra weight and length that this required behind the cab made it necessary to support the rear of the locomotive on a bogie in place of the single rear axle, producing an 0-4-4T - the first of that wheel arrangement to be built for an English railway (the first Scottish railway to use the 0-4-4T wheel arrangement was the Caledonian, in 1873).[3][2][4] There were compensating levers to equalise the weight between the coupled axles, and the outside-framed bogie also had compensating levers;[3] it carried about a third of the locomotive's weight.[2] Like the 205 class, they burned coke as a fuel.[5]

At first, they were mainly used on the services to Greenwich.[2] Only one batch (of seven) was built, in 1866;[6] there were troubles with the bogie, and so when more were required, Cudworth once more used the 0-4-2T type, producing the 73 class. However, the 235 class continued to be used, and all were given new boilers between 1877 and 1883.[7] Under Stirling's locomotive classification scheme (September 1879), they formed Class J.[8] They were withdrawn between 1887 and 1893.[7]

Notes

1. Bradley 1985, p. 119.
2. Bradley 1985, p. 122.
3. Ahrons 1987, p. 172.
4. Grant 1959, p. 10.
5. Bradley 1985, p. 120,122.
6. Bradley 1985, pp. 122-123.
7. Bradley 1985, p. 123.
8. Bradley 1985, p. 15.

References

• Ahrons, E.L. (1987) [1927]. The British Steam Railway Locomotive 1825-1925. London: Bracken Books. ISBN 1-85170-103-6.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Bradley, D.L. (September 1985) [1963]. The Locomotive History of the South Eastern Railway (2nd ed.). London: RCTS. ISBN 0-901115-48-7.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Grant, John W. (January 1959). Cooke, B.W.C. (ed.). "Scottish 0-4-4 Tank Engines". The Railway Magazine. Vol. 105 no. 693. Westminster: Tothill Press.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)