LSWR 46 class
Encyclopedia
The LSWR 46 Class was a class of 4-4-0
passenger tank locomotive designed by William Adams
for the London and South Western Railway
. None have survived into preservation.
and the South Coast on the LSWR railway network. They were later rostered on local passenger services under the ownership of the Southern Railway
, though none of the class survived into British Railways control. In consequence, none have survived into preservation.
The construction of the 46 Class was contracted out by the LSWR in order to speed construction and delivery. The contractor selected was Beyer, Peacock and Company
, which manufactured 12 4-4-0 tank locomotives in 1879. After only four years in service, the entire class was eventually converted to the 4-4-2 'radial' tank design between 1883 and 1886, following the successful introduction of the '415' Class in 1882 on London's suburban network.
The reasoning behind the conversion was one of standardization, as various parts could be exchanged between both classes, and in consequence, the only glaringly obvious difference between the two classes, apart from the large side tanks on the 46 class, was the positioning of the safety valves on the boiler
. However, the conversion resulted in a heavier locomotive, as an increase in water capacity was incorporated, as was an extended coal bunker to enable longer journeys to be achieved. This entailed the extension of the locomotive's frames, resulting in a longer locomotive than the original 4-4-0 design.
Under the LSWR numbering policy, the number of the first locomotive of a new design became the number of the class. As in this case the first locomotive was numbered 46, the class became known as the '46 Class.' The rest of the class were numbered 123, 124, 130, 132, 133 and 374–379.
LSWR numbering policy was, and continues to be, a highly confusing topic because the LSWR did not allocate a numerical series to a new class of locomotive. This resulted in many different classes of locomotives being numbered and mixed within series.
From 1903 to 1905, the locomotives were re-numbered according to the LSWR's duplicate numbering system. This meant that a '0' prefix was added to the LSWR numbers, and that the doyen of the class, number 46 became 046.
The class was eventually demoted to rural local passenger services by the LSWR, along with their 415 class cousins. One locomotive, number 0376 (376), was withdrawn early in February 1914, though was sold to the Brecon and Merthyr Railway
in South Wales
. This locomotive was re-numbered 44 when in service on this railway, passing to the Great Western Railway
on 1 July 1922 who allocated it number 1391. However it was withdraw later that year before it was renumbered.
The class withdrawal programme ended temporarily with the onset of the First World War, where motive power shortages effectively extended their working lives until they became surplus to requirements during the years following the war. As a result, four of the class were withdrawn in November 1921, with the remaining seven examples in service just making it to grouping and Southern Railway ownership in 1923. The withdrawals continued, with the final serviceable example being withdrawn in October 1925.
Because of the early withdrawal of the class during the 1920s, no examples survived to be earmarked for preservation.
4-4-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-4-0 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles , four powered and coupled driving wheels on two axles, and no trailing wheels...
passenger tank locomotive designed by William Adams
William Adams (locomotive engineer)
William Adams was the Locomotive Superintendent of the North London Railway from 1858 to 1873; the Great Eastern Railway from 1873 until 1878 and the London and South Western Railway from then until his retirement in 1895...
for the London and South Western Railway
London and South Western Railway
The London and South Western Railway was a railway company in England from 1838 to 1922. Its network extended from London to Plymouth via Salisbury and Exeter, with branches to Ilfracombe and Padstow and via Southampton to Bournemouth and Weymouth. It also had many routes connecting towns in...
. None have survived into preservation.
Background
The first design by William Adams, the 12 members of the 46 Class represent an interim design to supplement the Beattie Well Tanks that were already in service. All were built from 1879, and were intended for light suburban passenger traffic around LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and the South Coast on the LSWR railway network. They were later rostered on local passenger services under the ownership of the Southern Railway
Southern Railway (Great Britain)
The Southern Railway was a British railway company established in the 1923 Grouping. It linked London with the Channel ports, South West England, South coast resorts and Kent...
, though none of the class survived into British Railways control. In consequence, none have survived into preservation.
Construction history
The 46 Class was designed as a response to the requirements of the LSWR to have a range of newer, more reliable locomotives for use on their network. As a result, Adams intended the 46 Class to be an immediate stop-gap measure that could be utilised on passenger services while he devised a better solution to the railway's motive power problem. This solution would eventually prove to be the 415 Class of 4-4-2 locomotive.The construction of the 46 Class was contracted out by the LSWR in order to speed construction and delivery. The contractor selected was Beyer, Peacock and Company
Beyer, Peacock and Company
Beyer, Peacock and Company was an English railway Locomotive manufacturer with a factory in Gorton, Manchester. Founded by Charles Beyer and Richard Peacock, it traded from 1854 until 1966...
, which manufactured 12 4-4-0 tank locomotives in 1879. After only four years in service, the entire class was eventually converted to the 4-4-2 'radial' tank design between 1883 and 1886, following the successful introduction of the '415' Class in 1882 on London's suburban network.
The reasoning behind the conversion was one of standardization, as various parts could be exchanged between both classes, and in consequence, the only glaringly obvious difference between the two classes, apart from the large side tanks on the 46 class, was the positioning of the safety valves on the boiler
Boiler
A boiler is a closed vessel in which water or other fluid is heated. The heated or vaporized fluid exits the boiler for use in various processes or heating applications.-Materials:...
. However, the conversion resulted in a heavier locomotive, as an increase in water capacity was incorporated, as was an extended coal bunker to enable longer journeys to be achieved. This entailed the extension of the locomotive's frames, resulting in a longer locomotive than the original 4-4-0 design.
LSWR
After a period in the LSWR's early Yellow Ochre/Brown passenger livery, the 46 Class was outshopped in LSWR Passenger Sage Green livery, with black edging and black and white lining. Numbering was in gilt, as was the 'LSWR' lettering on the water tank side.Under the LSWR numbering policy, the number of the first locomotive of a new design became the number of the class. As in this case the first locomotive was numbered 46, the class became known as the '46 Class.' The rest of the class were numbered 123, 124, 130, 132, 133 and 374–379.
LSWR numbering policy was, and continues to be, a highly confusing topic because the LSWR did not allocate a numerical series to a new class of locomotive. This resulted in many different classes of locomotives being numbered and mixed within series.
From 1903 to 1905, the locomotives were re-numbered according to the LSWR's duplicate numbering system. This meant that a '0' prefix was added to the LSWR numbers, and that the doyen of the class, number 46 became 046.
Operational details
The class, despite its long period of service, was regarded as a stop-gap measure to assist the smooth operation of LSWR passenger services. This belief continued despite the attempt at standardization in 1883 by converting the locomotives to 4-4-2 wheel arrangement.The class was eventually demoted to rural local passenger services by the LSWR, along with their 415 class cousins. One locomotive, number 0376 (376), was withdrawn early in February 1914, though was sold to the Brecon and Merthyr Railway
Brecon and Merthyr Railway
The Brecon and Merthyr Junction Railway was one of several railways that served the industrial areas of South Wales and Monmouthshire. It ranked fifth amongst them in size, although hemmed in by the Taff Vale Railway and Great Western Railway...
in South Wales
South Wales
South Wales is an area of Wales bordered by England and the Bristol Channel to the east and south, and Mid Wales and West Wales to the north and west. The most densely populated region in the south-west of the United Kingdom, it is home to around 2.1 million people and includes the capital city of...
. This locomotive was re-numbered 44 when in service on this railway, passing to the Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway
The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
on 1 July 1922 who allocated it number 1391. However it was withdraw later that year before it was renumbered.
The class withdrawal programme ended temporarily with the onset of the First World War, where motive power shortages effectively extended their working lives until they became surplus to requirements during the years following the war. As a result, four of the class were withdrawn in November 1921, with the remaining seven examples in service just making it to grouping and Southern Railway ownership in 1923. The withdrawals continued, with the final serviceable example being withdrawn in October 1925.
Because of the early withdrawal of the class during the 1920s, no examples survived to be earmarked for preservation.