LNER Peppercorn Class A2

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LNER Peppercorn Class A2

60535 Hornets Beauty in store at Glasgow Polmadie, 1964.
Power type	Steam
Designer	Arthur Peppercorn
Builder	British Railways
Build date	1947–1948
Total production	15
Configuration	4-6-2
UIC classification	2'C1'
Gauge	4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm)
Leading wheel size	38 in (0.965 m)
Driver size	74 in (1.880 m)
Trailing wheel size	44 in (1.118 m)
Wheelbase	60 ft 6 in (18.440 m)
Length	44 in (1.118 m)
Axle load	22 long tons (22.4 t)
Locomotive weight	101 long tons (102.6 t)
Fuel type	Coal
Fuel capacity	9 long tons (9.1 t)
Water capacity	5,000 imp gal (23,000 l)
Boiler pressure	250 psi (1.72 MPa) superheated
Fire grate area	50 sq ft (4.6 m²)
Heating surface: Tubes	1,212 sq ft (112.6 m²)
Heating surface: Flues	1,005 sq ft (93.4 m²)
Heating surface: Firebox	245 sq ft (22.8 m²)
Superheater area	680 sq ft (63 m²)
Cylinders	Three
Cylinder size	19×26 in (487×660 mm)
Valve gear	Walschaerts, 10 in piston valves
Tractive effort	40,430 lbf (179.84 kN)
Class	LNER: A2 BR: 8P7F

Disambiguation: LNER Thompson Class A2, Raven Class A2

60512 Steady Aim also in store at Glasgow Polmadie, 1964.

Preserved 60532 Blue Peter.

The London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) Peppercorn Class A2 is a class of steam locomotive designed for express passenger work by Arthur Peppercorn, the chief designer of the LNER after Edward Thompson. All save the first of the 15 built were constructed under British Railways after nationalisation in 1948.

[edit] Overview

The first of the Peppercorn A2s No.525 A.H.Peppercorn was outshopped from Doncaster in December 1947 on the eve of Nationalization. The modernity of the design was immediately apparent. The first two of the class were turned out in LNER apple green livery and this colour was also applied to the next 13 engines delivered between January and August 1948. Repainting in British Railways Brunswick green began the following year.

The design was a move towards modernity, with features such as a self cleaning smokebox and electric lighting. Several featured a Double Kylchap Blastpipe. On the A2s it swiftly proved it's worth with significant improvements in steaming capability and fuel economy. It is notable for being the most powerful express passenger locomotive ever to work in Britain, with a tractive effort of 40,430 pounds-force (179.84 kN).

Initially the A2s were based at depots the length of the East Coast Main Line, ranging from New England (Peterborough) in the south to Edinburgh's Haymarket. In 1949 five were put to work on the Edinburgh-Dundee-Aberdeen route and proved the ideal engines for it's stiff gradients and sharp curvature. The A2s also worked to Perth, Glasgow, Carlisle, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and occasionally more southerly outposts. In 1963 Nos.60525, 60530 and 60535 surprisingly crossed the LNER-LMSR divide and were allocated to a Glasgow depot, Polmadie. They replaced Stanier LMS Princess Coronation Class over the ex-Caledonian Railway route to Carlisle.

The swansong of the A2 though came in the eastern Scotland with many memorable performances over the Aberdeen road during the early 1960s. However it was on Stoke bank in Lincolnshire, the location of LNER Class A4 4468 Mallard 1938 world speed record, that No.60526 Sugar Palm once achieved 101 mph (163 km/h) on Stoke Bank. This locomotive hasn't been preserved nor has No.60525 A. H. Peppercorn named after the Third & Final CME of The LNER. That record for the A2s came in 1961, the following year the first of the class was scrapped. The last three No.60528 Tudor Minstrel, No.60530 Sayajirao and No.60532 Blue Peter were retired in June 1966.

[edit] Preservation

Only one, 532 Blue Peter has survived to preservation. This locomotive was subject to a campaign for its restoration on the BBC Television series Blue Peter in the 1960s, and has subsequently featured several times in the programme.

The locomotive had been on display at Darlington Railway Centre and Museum since 2003. On 22nd May 2007, BBC Look North News reported that the locomotive was being moved into storage in Chesterfield due to renovation of the museum, and would not be returning. The NE Locomotive Preservation Group were quoted as looking to raise £600,000 for restoration of the locomotive to main line running. The Locomotive is now at Barrow Hill Engine Shed in Derbyshire.

[edit] Names

Only No. 525 was technically built during LNER ownership, but 526-531 received LNER numbers. From 60532 onwards, the A2s received BR numbers from new.

[edit] References

• Yeadon's Register of LNER Locomotives, volume 3, Raven, Thompson & Peppercorn Pacifics
• Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database

[edit] External links

• LNER encyclopedia
• A2 History
• A2 design drawing
• The North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group