NCC Class B3
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| Power type | Steam |
|---|---|
| Builder | Beyer, Peacock & Co., Gorton works, Manchester Rebuilt: LMS (NCC), York Road works, Belfast |
| Build date | 1890-98 Rebuilt: 1927-31 |
| Configuration | 4-4-0 |
| Gauge | 5ft 3in (1600mm) |
| Leading wheel size | 3ft 0in |
| Driver size | 6ft 0in |
| Wheelbase | 40ft 9¼in incl tender |
| Length | 49ft 6in |
| Width | 8ft 4in |
| Height | 13ft 2in |
| Weight on drivers | 16 ton 0cwt + 14 ton 8cwt |
| Locomotive weight | 45ton 2cwt |
| Locomotive and tender combined weight | 72ton 0cwt |
| Fuel type | Coal |
| Fuel capacity | 6ton |
| Water capacity | 2120gal |
| Boiler pressure | Nos.21, 24, 28: 160psi Nos.60, 61: 200psi |
| Heating surface: Tubes | 508.7sq ft |
| Heating surface: Firebox | 103sq ft |
| Heating surface: Total | 1038sq ft |
| Superheater area | 233.7sq ft |
| Cylinders | 2 |
| Cylinder size | 18in x 24in |
| Valve gear | Walschaerts |
| Tractive effort | Nos.21, 24, 28: 14 688lb Nos.60, 61: 18 360lb |
| Train brakes | Automatic vacuum |
| Career | LMS NCC |
| Number in class | 5 |
| Nicknames | Whippet |
| Scrapped | 1938-47 |
The LMS (Northern Counties Committee) Class B3 4-4-0 passenger steam locomotives were rebuilds of Belfast and Northern Counties Railway (BNCR) two-cylinder compound locomotives. They operated services throughout the NCC’s broad gauge (5ft 3in) system in the north-east of Ireland.
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[edit] History
The locomotives that comprised the Northern Counties Committee Class B3 were rebuilds of two classes of BNCR “Light Compounds”. These had been built by Beyer, Peacock and Company in the 1890s to the design of the BNCR Locomotive Engineer Bowman Malcolm. The first two members of the class were originally Class C Light Compound 2-4-0s. Rebuilding began with No.28 in 1927 and No.21 in the following year. The other three Class B3 locomotives (24, 60 and 61) were derived from Class B Light Compounds whose only original difference was that they had always been 4-4-0s and not 2-4-0s.
However, before alteration to Class B3, Nos.60 and 61 had already undergone an earlier rebuilding to become Class B1 compounds in 1921 to be followed by No.51 in August 1926. On the other hand, No.24 was rebuilt as a simple (i.e. not compound) in February 1925 to become the solitary member of the somewhat ephemeral Class B2.
All five engines had 18in x 24in cylinders with 8in piston valves and retained their 6ft driving wheels. The first three members of the class had boilers rated at 160psi but Nos.60 and 61 had the advantage of 200psi boilers.
During rebuilding, they were fitted with LMS standard boilers that had to placed higher than the originals to allow the firebox and ash pan to clear the rear driving wheel axle. The smokebox saddle was extended accordingly to offer support. The closely coupled driving wheels accentuated the appearance of the high-pitched boiler, earning these engines the nickname of "Whippet" because of a perceived resemblance to the breed of racing dog.
All members of the class were officially named after Ulster counties.
No.28 was withdrawn in December 1938 having run just over a quarter million miles in her rebuilt form. The remaining locomotives served throughout World War II and were scrapped in 1946-47.
[edit] Building and withdrawal data
The following table summarises the rebuilding and renumbering history of the Class B3 locomotives.
| Original No. |
Class | Date Built |
Date Rebuilt |
Class | Rebuilt to B3 |
New No. |
Name | Scrapped |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | C | May 1890 | Aug 1926 | B1 | Dec 1928 | 21 | County Down | Jun 1947 |
| 24 | B | May 1898 | Feb 1925 | B2 | Sep 1928 | 24 | County Londonderry | Jun 1947 |
| 58 | C | Apr 1890 | n/a | n/a | Jun 1927 | 28 | County Tyrone | Dec 1938 |
| 60 | B | Jul 1897 | 1921 | B1 | Jun 1932 | 60 | County Donegal | Oct 1946 |
| 61 | B | Oct 1897 | 1921 | B1 | Jan 1932 | 61 | County Antrim | Oct 1946 |
[edit] Livery
The Class B3 locomotives were painted in crimson lake with yellow and black lining. The LMS crest was carried on the upper cab sides. The initials “NCC” in shaded serif gold capital letters were placed centrally on the tender sides. Number plates were brass with raised digits and edge; they were carried on the lower cab sides with another placed centrally on the back of the tender tank. Curved nameplates were fitted above the leading driving wheel splashers. Buffer beams and number plate and name plate backgrounds were painted red. The engine number was applied to the front buffer beam in shaded gold digits.
[edit] References
- Arnold, R.M. (1973). NCC Saga. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. ISBN 0 7153 5644 5.
- Arnold, R.M. (1973). Supplement to NCC Saga. Whitehead: Railway Preservation Society of Ireland.
- London Midland and Scottish Railway (Northern Counties Committee). Class B3 general arrangement drawing. Belfast: LMS (NCC).
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