LCDR R1 class
Encyclopedia
The LCDR R1 class was a class of 0-4-4T locomotives on the South Eastern and Chatham Railway
, which were based on an existing London, Chatham and Dover Railway
design.
(SECR) - the London, Chatham and Dover Railway
(LCDR) and the South Eastern Railway
(SER) - had both favoured the 0-4-4T wheel arrangement for suburban and stopping passenger trains. The SER's most recent design was James Stirling's Q class 0-4-4T, which had been produced between 1881 and 1897, whereas the LCDR had the more modern R class 0-4-4T
of William Kirtley
's design, which dated from 1891. When more 0-4-4T engines were required soon after the formation of the SECR in 1899, the company had two options: to build more of either or both of the existing designs, or to produce a new design. It was intended that a range of standard designs would be produced which would be suitable for use across the whole SECR system, but until these were ready, it was decided to order more of the LCDR's existing R class design, but with modifications. Fifteen of these locomotives were built by Sharp, Stewart & Co in 1900; their SECR numbers were 696-710 - nos. 696-705 were for use on the former LCDR routes, whilst nos. 706-710 were for the old SER system. Originally they were included in the R class, but were separated into a new R1 class in January 1901. No more were built, because by the time that further 0-4-4Ts were required, Wainwright
's H class
design was ready; it owed much to the R1 class.
The R1 class locos were renumbered three times: to A696-710 by the Southern Railway
(SR) from 1923; to 1696-1710 by the SR from 1931; and to 31696-31710 by British Railways from 1948.
Two (nos. A701 & A702) were withdrawn in 1929, and withdrawal of the rest occurred between 1949 and 1956.
South Eastern and Chatham Railway
The South Eastern and Chatham Railway Companies Joint Management Committee , known by its shorter name of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway was a working union of two neighbouring rival railways, the South Eastern Railway and London, Chatham and Dover Railway , that operated services between...
, which were based on an existing London, Chatham and Dover Railway
London, Chatham and Dover Railway
The London, Chatham and Dover Railway was a railway company in south-eastern England from 1859 until the 1923 grouping which united it with other companies to form the Southern Railway. Its lines ran through London and northern and eastern Kent to form a significant part of the Greater London...
design.
History
For many years the two constituents of the South Eastern and Chatham RailwaySouth Eastern and Chatham Railway
The South Eastern and Chatham Railway Companies Joint Management Committee , known by its shorter name of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway was a working union of two neighbouring rival railways, the South Eastern Railway and London, Chatham and Dover Railway , that operated services between...
(SECR) - the London, Chatham and Dover Railway
London, Chatham and Dover Railway
The London, Chatham and Dover Railway was a railway company in south-eastern England from 1859 until the 1923 grouping which united it with other companies to form the Southern Railway. Its lines ran through London and northern and eastern Kent to form a significant part of the Greater London...
(LCDR) and the South Eastern Railway
South Eastern Railway (UK)
The South Eastern Railway was a railway company in south-eastern England from 1836 until 1922. The company was formed to construct a route from London to Dover. Branch lines were later opened to Tunbridge Wells, Hastings, Canterbury and other places in Kent...
(SER) - had both favoured the 0-4-4T wheel arrangement for suburban and stopping passenger trains. The SER's most recent design was James Stirling's Q class 0-4-4T, which had been produced between 1881 and 1897, whereas the LCDR had the more modern R class 0-4-4T
LCDR R class
The LCDR R class was a class of 0-4-4T locomotives on the London, Chatham and Dover Railway . No. 207 is notable as being the last former LCDR locomotive to be withdrawn from service.-History:...
of William Kirtley
William Kirtley
William Kirtley was the Locomotive Superintendent of the London Chatham and Dover Railway in England from 1874 until the merger to form the South Eastern and Chatham Railway at the end of 1898.-Biography:...
's design, which dated from 1891. When more 0-4-4T engines were required soon after the formation of the SECR in 1899, the company had two options: to build more of either or both of the existing designs, or to produce a new design. It was intended that a range of standard designs would be produced which would be suitable for use across the whole SECR system, but until these were ready, it was decided to order more of the LCDR's existing R class design, but with modifications. Fifteen of these locomotives were built by Sharp, Stewart & Co in 1900; their SECR numbers were 696-710 - nos. 696-705 were for use on the former LCDR routes, whilst nos. 706-710 were for the old SER system. Originally they were included in the R class, but were separated into a new R1 class in January 1901. No more were built, because by the time that further 0-4-4Ts were required, Wainwright
Harry Wainwright
Harry Smith Wainwright was the Locomotive, Carriage and Wagon Superintendent of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway from 1899 to 1913. He is best known for a series of simple but competent locomotives produced under his direction at the company's Ashford railway works in the early years of the...
's H class
SECR H Class
The South Eastern and Chatham Railway H Class is a class of 0-4-4T steam locomotive originally designed for suburban passenger work, designed by Harry Wainwright in 1904...
design was ready; it owed much to the R1 class.
The R1 class locos were renumbered three times: to A696-710 by 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...
(SR) from 1923; to 1696-1710 by the SR from 1931; and to 31696-31710 by British Railways from 1948.
Two (nos. A701 & A702) were withdrawn in 1929, and withdrawal of the rest occurred between 1949 and 1956.