LNWR Class C1

LNWR Class C1
No. 2550 in photographic grey livery
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Charles Bowen Cooke Rebuilder Crewe Works Rebuild date 1909–12 Number rebuilt 34 from Class A
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-8-0 Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Driver dia. 4 ft 5.5 in (1.359 m) Fuel type Coal Boiler pressure 175 psi (1.21 MPa) Heating surface 1,489 sq ft (138.3 m2) Cylinders 2 inside Cylinder size 18+1⁄2 in × 24 in (470 mm × 610 mm)
Career Operators London and North Western Railway, London, Midland and Scottish Railway Class C1 Power class LMS: 4F to 1928, then 3F Number in class 34 Withdrawn 1927–33 Disposition All scrapped

The London and North Western Railway (LNWR) Class C1 was a class of 0-8-0 steam locomotives. 34 were rebuilt by Charles Bowen Cooke from Class A 3-cylinder compounds between 1909 and 1912.

History

Rebuilds of the troublesome Webb Class A compounds to Class D simple expansion engines used larger (5'2" diameter) boilers, with the result that there were many spare smaller (4'3" diameter) boilers available. As a result, rebuilds of the Class As from 1906 retained their smaller boilers. As a consequence, the cylinders had to be reduced to 18.5" diameter, compared with 19.5" with the Class C, and this took them into a new class (or subclass) - C1.

Numbering

When rebuilt from Class A, all the C1s retained their existing LNWR numbers, which were in the 18xx or 25xx series. All passed into LMS ownership on the grouping of 1923. The LMS assigned them the numbers 8968-9001, sequentially in order of rebuild date, though not all were applied before withdrawal.

LMS numbers in parentheses were not carried prior to withdrawal.

Withdrawal

Withdrawal occurred between 1927 and 1932. None were preserved.

References

• Baxter, Bertram (1979). Baxter, David (ed.). British Locomotive Catalogue 1825-1923, volume 2B: London and North Western Railway and its constituent companies. Ashbourne: Moorland Publishing. ISBN 0-903485-84-2.

Further reading

• Essery, Bob; Jenkinson, David. An Illustrated Review of LMS Locomotives Vol. 2 Absorbed Pre-Group Classes Western and Central Divisions.
• Talbot, Edward. The London & North Western Railway Eight-Coupled Goods Engines.
• Yeadon, Willie. Yeadon's Compendium of LNWR Locomotives Vol 2 Goods Tender Engines.