GER Class 209

Summary

The GER Class 209 (LNER Class Y5) was a class of 0-4-0 saddle tank steam locomotives of the Great Eastern Railway. These locomotives were similar to the NBR G Class but had flat-topped, instead of round-topped, tanks. A total of eight were built – four by Neilson and Company in 1874 and four more by the GER's Stratford Works between 1897 and 1903.

GER Class 209 (LNER Class Y5)
GER Class 209 (LNER Class Y5) 0-4-0ST Service locomotive. Built at Stratford Works in 1903 as No. 230 (LNER 7230, then 8081 and BR 68081), it became the shunter for the Carriage Works at Stratford and is seen here outside Stratford Old (Locomotive) Works, 28 September 1946.
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerNeilson and Company
Builder
ModelNeilson 12-inch Mineral Engine
Build date1874–1903
Total produced8
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte0-4-0ST
 • UICB n2t
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Driver dia.3 ft 7 in (1.09 m)
Wheelbase5 ft 9 in (1.753 m)
Length21 ft 4+12 in (6.515 m) over buffers
Loco weight21 long tons 4 cwt (47,500 lb or 21.5 t)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity0 long tons 10 cwt (1,100 lb or 0.5 t)
Water cap.470 imp gal (2,100 L; 560 US gal)
Firebox:
 • Grate area7.01 sq ft (0.651 m2)
Boiler pressure140 psi (0.97 MPa)
Heating surface514.55 sq ft (47.803 m2)
CylindersTwo, outside
Cylinder size12 in × 20 in (305 mm × 508 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort7,970 lbf (35.45 kN)
Career
OperatorsGER » LNER » BR
Class
  • GER: 209
  • LNER: Y5
NicknamesCoffee Pot
Withdrawn1911–1948
DispositionOne preserved, remainder scrapped

Overview edit

Neilson locomotives edit

In order to shunt locations with tight curves and weight restrictions, two 0-4-0T locomotives were purchased from Neilson and Company to one of that company's standard designs by the GER, and this was followed by an order for a further two locomotives in 1876. In 1894–1895 these four locos were rebuilt under James Holden, the work including new boilers, steam brakes, and covered cabs.[1] Two of these locomotives worked at Globe Road & Devonshire Street goods yards between 1874 and 1914.[2]

Stratford locomotives edit

In 1897 two new locomotives were built at Stratford Works, identical to the rebuilt 209 Class, but with slightly higher bunkers, and a further two locomotives to this new design were built, also at Stratford, in 1903.[1]

LNER ownership edit

Four locomotives had been withdrawn or sold before 1923. The remaining four passed into London and North Eastern Railway ownership at the grouping in 1923. Their LNER class was Y5.

Withdrawal edit

Two locomotives, 226 and 227 were scrapped in 1911. By 1914, number 228 was placed on the duplicate list, becoming 0228; its old number being re-used by a new Class B74 (LNER Class Y4) locomotive. Number 210 was also scrapped in 1914, and 229 was sold in 1918. Number 7209 was withdrawn in 1926. Numbers 07228 and 7230 became departmental locomotives at Stratford, with the former being withdrawn in 1927, after having been used as a stationary boiler.[3] Number 7231 had been adapted as a tram locomotive and used at Colchester, before being withdrawn in 1931.

BR ownership edit

The last member of the class left in service, 7230, was renumbered 8081 in 1944; and just survived into British Railways ownership in 1948 but was scrapped early that year before it could receive its BR number.

Table of orders and numbers edit

Table of orders and numbers[4]
Year Order Manufacturer Quantity GER Nos. LNER Nos Notes
1874 Neilson & Co. 1940 1 209 7209 wdn. 1926
1875 Neilson & Co. 1 210 scr. 1914
1876 Neilson & Co. 2118, 2119 2 228, 229 07228, — 228 wdn. 1927
229 sold 1918
1897 G40 Stratford Works 2 226, 227 —, — both scr. 1911
1903 R55 Stratford Works 2 230, 231 7230, 7231 230 scr. 1948
231 wdn. 1931
Key
  • wdn. = withdrawal date, scrapping date unknown
  • scr. = scrapping date

Preservation edit

 
Number 229, preserved at North Woolwich Old Station Museum in 2006.

One locomotive, GER no. 229, was exhibited at the former North Woolwich Old Station Museum, which closed in 2008. This is the one which was sold in 1918. It is now (2012) at a site near Lydney, Gloucestershire, awaiting restoration to working order.

Modelling edit

A 4 mm scale kit is available from High Level Kits.[5] A 4 mm scale 3d Print-able body is available on Thingiverse.[6]

See also edit

References edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b "No. 209 Class 0-4-0ST". Great Eastern Railway Society. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  2. ^ Bradley, Richard (October 2019). "Devonshire Street - birthplace of the Eastern Counties Railway". Great Eastern Journal. 34: 12.
  3. ^ Aldrich 1969, p. 109
  4. ^ Aldrich 1969, p. 108
  5. ^ "HOME". High Level Kits.
  6. ^ "LNER Y5 locomotive by houghmagandie". www.thingiverse.com.

Bibliography edit

  • Aldrich, C. Langley (1969). The Locomotives of the Great Eastern Railway 1862–1962 (7th ed.). Wickford, Essex: C. Langley Aldrich. OCLC 30278831.

External links edit

  • No.209 — Great Eastern Railway Society
  • The Y5 (GER 209) Neilson & Co 0-4-0 Shunters — LNER Encyclopedia