LSWR G6 class
Encyclopedia
The LSWR G6 class was an 0-6-0
tank locomotive designed by William Adams
for the London and South Western Railway
.
In 1893, the LSWR tasked their Locomotive Superintendent, William Adams, to solve this requirement for additional motive power. A new class of yard shunters was required to supplement the railway's current stock of 0-6-0Ts, which dated from 1881 and had been constructed by Beyer, Peacock and Company
. Therefore, a need for a compact freight design was highlighted, with the G6 being the resultant locomotive class.
passenger locomotives. The wheel arrangement was ideal for the tight curves and traction needed in shunting activities, with the shorter wheelbase helping to solve both these concerns. It is interesting to note that the G6 represented the only 0-6-0 design undertaken by Adams, with the resultant locomotive being a highly compact design. Construction of the class began in 1893, and was undertaken in-house by the LSWR at Nine Elms works
in London
, with an initial batch of ten locomotives being constructed. The boiler also betrayed the pairing with the O2 Class because it was the same for standardisation purposes.
Four further locomotives were constructed in 1896 as replacements for the B4 class
0-4-0
T dock shunters at Southampton Docks due to their increased coal and water capacity and enhanced power. This proved to be one of Adams's last deeds on the LSWR, as he retired to be replaced by Dugald Drummond
.
Drummond authorised a further batch of ten locomotives during the period 1897 to 1898 after being impressed with the performance of the class. A further, and final, batch of ten was ordered in 1900. However, both of these batches differed from the original ten because they utilised the boilers of Beattie Well tanks
and other withdrawn locomotives. Very few modifications were undertaken during their working careers, with only the Adams stovepipe chimney being replaced by a Drummond lipped example, whilst vacuum brakes were also eventually implemented.
Due to the confused nature of the original LSWR and subsequent SR numbering systems, the class was spread across several numbering bands in the BR 30xxx series. BR inherited 32 locomotives: 30160, 30162, 30257 to 30279, and 30348, 30349. However, after the mass withdrawal of 1951, only 30160, 30162, 30237, 30258, 30260, 30266, 30270, 30274, 30279 and 30349 remained to receive the new livery.
. The only exception was the transfer of a single example to Reading freight yard in 1941 to assist with the GWR's shortage of motive power during the Second World War. As the war progressed, a second member of the class was also transferred here and provided sterling service.
The class was highly successful in undertaking the tasks they were designed for, and were respected by their crews. They rarely undertook passenger work, though they did undertake banking
duties between Exeter St Davids
and Exeter Central
on occasion, until Stroudley
E1/R 0-6-2Ts
took on this task in 1933.
After Nationalisation, two members of the class eventually found their way into departmental service, both being allocated to Meldon Quarry
in Devon
. The first to undertake this role was number 30272 in June 1950, being renumbered DS3152. When this example was withdrawn in 1960, 30238 replaced DS3152 under the new number of DS682.
The first withdrawal was number 348 in August 1948, followed by a larger number of 22 by the end of 1951. The final survivor was a 64 year-old example, number 30238, though this locomotive was one of the last to be withdrawn as part of the Modernisation Plan in late 1962. None of these useful locomotives have survived into preservation.
0-6-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 0-6-0 represents the wheel arrangement of no leading wheels, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and no trailing wheels...
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...
.
Background
The late nineteenth century was a troubled period for the LSWR due to frequent motive power shortages brought about by employing a collection of ageing locomotives in an era of increasing rail traffic. There was a need to supplement this fleet with a new class of locomotive design that could undertake the mundane task of shunting in goods yards around the LSWR network.In 1893, the LSWR tasked their Locomotive Superintendent, William Adams, to solve this requirement for additional motive power. A new class of yard shunters was required to supplement the railway's current stock of 0-6-0Ts, which dated from 1881 and had been constructed by 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...
. Therefore, a need for a compact freight design was highlighted, with the G6 being the resultant locomotive class.
Construction history
The new design was designated the Class G6 by Adams, who intended the class to be an 0-6-0 version of his O2 classLSWR O2 Class
The LSWR O2 Class is a class of 0-4-4T steam locomotive designed for the London and South Western Railway by William Adams. Sixty were constructed during the late nineteenth century.-Background:...
passenger locomotives. The wheel arrangement was ideal for the tight curves and traction needed in shunting activities, with the shorter wheelbase helping to solve both these concerns. It is interesting to note that the G6 represented the only 0-6-0 design undertaken by Adams, with the resultant locomotive being a highly compact design. Construction of the class began in 1893, and was undertaken in-house by the LSWR at Nine Elms works
Nine Elms Locomotive Works
Nine Elms locomotive works were built in 1839 by the London and South Western Railway adjoining their passenger terminus near the Vauxhall end of Nine Elms Lane, in the district of Nine Elms in the London Borough of Battersea. They were rebuilt in 1841 and remained the principal locomotive...
in London
London
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...
, with an initial batch of ten locomotives being constructed. The boiler also betrayed the pairing with the O2 Class because it was the same for standardisation purposes.
Four further locomotives were constructed in 1896 as replacements for the B4 class
LSWR B4 Class
The London and South Western Railway B4 class is a class of 0-4-0T dock tank.The London and South Western Railway's built twenty to a design by their Locomotive Superintendent William Adams at its Nine Elms Works during the 1891–1893 period...
0-4-0
0-4-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 0-4-0 represents one of the simplest possible types, that with two axles and four coupled wheels, all of which are driven...
T dock shunters at Southampton Docks due to their increased coal and water capacity and enhanced power. This proved to be one of Adams's last deeds on the LSWR, as he retired to be replaced by Dugald Drummond
Dugald Drummond
Dugald Drummond was a Scottish steam locomotive engineer. He had a career with the North British Railway, LB&SCR, Caledonian Railway and London and South Western Railway...
.
Drummond authorised a further batch of ten locomotives during the period 1897 to 1898 after being impressed with the performance of the class. A further, and final, batch of ten was ordered in 1900. However, both of these batches differed from the original ten because they utilised the boilers of Beattie Well tanks
LSWR 0298 Class
The London and South Western Railway 0298 Class or Beattie Well Tank is a class of British steam locomotive. They are 2-4-0WT well tanks, originally built between 1863 and 1875 for use on passenger services in the suburbs of London, but later used on rural services in South West England...
and other withdrawn locomotives. Very few modifications were undertaken during their working careers, with only the Adams stovepipe chimney being replaced by a Drummond lipped example, whilst vacuum brakes were also eventually implemented.
| Order | Year | Quantity | LSWR numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1894 | 257–266 | |||
| 1896 | 267–270 | |||
| 1897 | 271–275 | |||
| 1898 | 237–240, 279 | |||
| 1900 | 160, 162, 276–278 | |||
| 1900 | 348, 349, 351, 353, 354 | |||
LSWR and Southern
Under LSWR ownership, the G6s were outshopped in the LSWR dark Holly Green livery, with black and light green lining, which was applied to most freight designs of the LSWR. Gilt lettering and numbering was located on the water tank sides and cabside respectively, with the letters 'LSW.'Post-1948 (nationalisation)
The class as inherited by British Railways retained the Southern livery for a short period. As overhauls took place, the class began to be turned out in unlined BR Freight Black livery. However, only ten locomotives were to see this livery, as several members were withdrawn from service and scrapped. The BR crest was placed upon the water tank sides, with the number cabside.Due to the confused nature of the original LSWR and subsequent SR numbering systems, the class was spread across several numbering bands in the BR 30xxx series. BR inherited 32 locomotives: 30160, 30162, 30257 to 30279, and 30348, 30349. However, after the mass withdrawal of 1951, only 30160, 30162, 30237, 30258, 30260, 30266, 30270, 30274, 30279 and 30349 remained to receive the new livery.
Operational details
The G6 Class was a highly localised, though useful, locomotive design that very rarely ventured off the LSWR network, even in service with the Southern RailwaySouthern 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...
. The only exception was the transfer of a single example to Reading freight yard in 1941 to assist with the GWR's shortage of motive power during the Second World War. As the war progressed, a second member of the class was also transferred here and provided sterling service.
The class was highly successful in undertaking the tasks they were designed for, and were respected by their crews. They rarely undertook passenger work, though they did undertake banking
Bank engine
A bank engine or helper engine or pusher engine is a railway locomotive that temporarily assists a train that requires additional power or traction to climb a grade...
duties between Exeter St Davids
Exeter St Davids railway station
Exeter St Davids station is the most important of seven National Rail stations in the city of Exeter in southwest England. Today the station is owned by Network Rail and operated by First Great Western.-History:...
and Exeter Central
Exeter Central railway station
Exeter Central railway station is the most centrally located of the railway stations in Exeter, Devon, England. It is smaller than St Davids which is on the west side of the city but it is served by trains on the London Waterloo to Exeter main line, and is also by local services to , and . From...
on occasion, until Stroudley
William Stroudley
William Stroudley was one of Britain's most famous steam locomotive engineers of the nineteenth century, working principally for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway...
E1/R 0-6-2Ts
LB&SCR E1 class
The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway E1 Class were 0-6-0T steam locomotives designed by William Stroudley in 1874 for short-distance goods and piloting duties. They were originally classified E, and generally known as "E-tanks"; They were reclassified E1 in the time of D. E...
took on this task in 1933.
After Nationalisation, two members of the class eventually found their way into departmental service, both being allocated to Meldon Quarry
Meldon Quarry
Meldon Quarry is a granite quarry in the parish of Meldon, West Devon, England. Meldon Quarry railway station is a railway station which serves the quarry.- History :...
in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
. The first to undertake this role was number 30272 in June 1950, being renumbered DS3152. When this example was withdrawn in 1960, 30238 replaced DS3152 under the new number of DS682.
The first withdrawal was number 348 in August 1948, followed by a larger number of 22 by the end of 1951. The final survivor was a 64 year-old example, number 30238, though this locomotive was one of the last to be withdrawn as part of the Modernisation Plan in late 1962. None of these useful locomotives have survived into preservation.