Smokey Joe
Encyclopedia
Class 0F is the LMS
designation used to refer to the former Caledonian Railway
264 and 611 classes, which were 0-4-0
saddle tank locomotives designed by Dugald Drummond
and built by Neilson and Company
in 1885. Later examples were built at St. Rollox railway works
under the direction of John F. McIntosh
in 1895, 1900, 1902 and 1908.
These small shunters remained in long service under the LMS
(who renamed all Neilson saddle locomotives as Class 0F) and British Railways, with the last of the class withdrawn in 1962. The 0F class, sometimes referred to by the generic term "pugs", were mainly used as works shunters in the area around Glasgow
, Scotland
, often running with home-made tenders to improve their small coal capacity. Like most 0-4-0 tanks of the period they had outside cylinders and inside slide valves driven by Stephenson valve gear
. A number were later sold into private industry and several even made it as far south as Crewe
where they acted as a works shunters. None of the various 0F class locomotives have survived into preservation.
They are easily confused with the earlier 1882-built ex-North British Railway
Class Y-9
(NBR Class G), also designed by Dugald Drummond to a similar saddle tank design, although the 0F is distinguished by a taller chimney and larger circular windows. Both were originally commissioned from Drummond by Neilson & Co to a standard design and were used by North British, LNER
and British Railways. One NBR Y-9 shunter (No.42 68095) has been preserved at the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway museum.
based on the 0F which has been in the Hornby Railways
range since 1983 and has been highly popular, being regarded as a "permanent fixture" by the company. A 'starter
'-level engine, it has also been the centrepiece of a eponymous train set
in the Hornby range. The model was featured in the main Hornby Range up to 2010; it has since been moved into the entry-level "RailRoad" range for 2011.
Hornby's model of the Class 0F has been in the Hornby range since 1981, initially in Caledonian Railway blue. The simplified 1983 "Smokey Joe" version omits the wire handrails that had been present on earlier variants. According to the 2011 Hornby Handbook, the model was originally launched as a "character" locomotive inspired by a Glaswegian engine which had "Smokey Joe" scrawled on its tank in chalk, an effect the model tries to replicate.
The actual number 56025 was an early 264 0F class built in 1890 and for its working life was primarily based at St. Rollox railway works
, where it was the works shunter until its withdrawal in 1960. The livery of the model is based upon the mixed traffic livery of British Railways, black with red and white lining. Photographs of the original 56025 from 1955 show that instead of the graffiti, the engine had a lined saddle tank with an early British Railways "cycling lion" crest and, unlike the model, an enclosed footplate (as a works shunter, it would not have required a large quantity of coal). Most other members of the class were unlined black with an open footplate.
The model is powered by a small, 12 V
"HP motor" of the same type as used in Scalextric
slot cars. As a result, the locomotive has drawn complaints from railway modellers that the motor is too fast for the engine to be realistic, with poor low-speed response. As a result, it is usually regarded as a toy, rather than a model. It does not come with DCC
capability, although can be converted.
London, Midland and Scottish Railway
The London Midland and Scottish Railway was a British railway company. It was formed on 1 January 1923 under the Railways Act of 1921, which required the grouping of over 120 separate railway companies into just four...
designation used to refer to the former Caledonian Railway
Caledonian Railway
The Caledonian Railway was a major Scottish railway company. It was formed in the early 19th century and it was absorbed almost a century later into the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, in the 1923 railway grouping, by means of the Railways Act 1921...
264 and 611 classes, which were 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...
saddle tank locomotives designed 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...
and built by Neilson and Company
Neilson and Company
Neilson and Company was a locomotive manufacturer in Glasgow, Scotland.The company was started in 1836 at McAlpine Street by Walter Neilson and James Mitchell to manufacture marine and stationary engines...
in 1885. Later examples were built at St. Rollox railway works
St. Rollox railway works
St. Rollox Locomotive Works and St Rollox Carriage and Wagon Works were built in 1856 in Springburn, an area in the north-east of Glasgow, for the Caledonian Railway, moving away from their works at Greenock...
under the direction of John F. McIntosh
John F. McIntosh
John Farquharson McIntosh was a Scottish engineer. He was Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Caledonian Railway from 1895-1914 . He was succeeded by William Pickersgill.-Locomotive designs:*Caledonian Railway 19, 92 and 439 classes 0-4-4T...
in 1895, 1900, 1902 and 1908.
These small shunters remained in long service under the LMS
London, Midland and Scottish Railway
The London Midland and Scottish Railway was a British railway company. It was formed on 1 January 1923 under the Railways Act of 1921, which required the grouping of over 120 separate railway companies into just four...
(who renamed all Neilson saddle locomotives as Class 0F) and British Railways, with the last of the class withdrawn in 1962. The 0F class, sometimes referred to by the generic term "pugs", were mainly used as works shunters in the area around Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, often running with home-made tenders to improve their small coal capacity. Like most 0-4-0 tanks of the period they had outside cylinders and inside slide valves driven by Stephenson valve gear
Stephenson valve gear
The Stephenson valve gear or Stephenson link or shifting link is a simple design of valve gear that was widely used throughout the world for all kinds of steam engine. It is named after Robert Stephenson but was actually invented by his employees....
. A number were later sold into private industry and several even made it as far south as Crewe
Crewe
Crewe is a railway town within the unitary authority area of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. According to the 2001 census the urban area had a population of 67,683...
where they acted as a works shunters. None of the various 0F class locomotives have survived into preservation.
They are easily confused with the earlier 1882-built ex-North British Railway
North British Railway
The North British Railway was a Scottish railway company that was absorbed into the London and North Eastern Railway at the Grouping in 1923.-History:...
Class Y-9
NBR G Class
The North British Railway G Class is a class of 0-4-0ST steam locomotive designed for shunting. Some locomotives were equipped with small wooden tenders to carry extra coal. They were introduced in 1882 and thirty-eight entered service on the NBR between 1882 and 1899...
(NBR Class G), also designed by Dugald Drummond to a similar saddle tank design, although the 0F is distinguished by a taller chimney and larger circular windows. Both were originally commissioned from Drummond by Neilson & Co to a standard design and were used by North British, LNER
London and North Eastern Railway
The London and North Eastern Railway was the second-largest of the "Big Four" railway companies created by the Railways Act 1921 in Britain...
and British Railways. One NBR Y-9 shunter (No.42 68095) has been preserved at the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway museum.
Smokey Joe
Smokey Joe is a model steam locomotiveSteam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
based on the 0F which has been in the Hornby Railways
Hornby Railways
Hornby Railways is the leading brand of model railway in the United Kingdom. Its roots date back to 1901, when founder Frank Hornby received a patent for his Meccano construction toy. The first clockwork train was produced in 1920. In 1938, Hornby launched its first 00 gauge train...
range since 1983 and has been highly popular, being regarded as a "permanent fixture" by the company. A 'starter
Newbie
Newbie or noob is a slang term for a novice or newcomer, or somebody inexperienced in any profession or activity. Contemporary use can particularly refer to a beginner or new user of computers, often concerning Internet activity, such as online gaming or Linux use...
'-level engine, it has also been the centrepiece of a eponymous train set
Train set
A train set is a set, normally consisting of a model train and a small circle or oval of track. A set of rail tracks of more appropriate size for a train set is a model railroad layout...
in the Hornby range. The model was featured in the main Hornby Range up to 2010; it has since been moved into the entry-level "RailRoad" range for 2011.
Hornby's model of the Class 0F has been in the Hornby range since 1981, initially in Caledonian Railway blue. The simplified 1983 "Smokey Joe" version omits the wire handrails that had been present on earlier variants. According to the 2011 Hornby Handbook, the model was originally launched as a "character" locomotive inspired by a Glaswegian engine which had "Smokey Joe" scrawled on its tank in chalk, an effect the model tries to replicate.
The actual number 56025 was an early 264 0F class built in 1890 and for its working life was primarily based at St. Rollox railway works
St. Rollox railway works
St. Rollox Locomotive Works and St Rollox Carriage and Wagon Works were built in 1856 in Springburn, an area in the north-east of Glasgow, for the Caledonian Railway, moving away from their works at Greenock...
, where it was the works shunter until its withdrawal in 1960. The livery of the model is based upon the mixed traffic livery of British Railways, black with red and white lining. Photographs of the original 56025 from 1955 show that instead of the graffiti, the engine had a lined saddle tank with an early British Railways "cycling lion" crest and, unlike the model, an enclosed footplate (as a works shunter, it would not have required a large quantity of coal). Most other members of the class were unlined black with an open footplate.
The model is powered by a small, 12 V
Volt
The volt is the SI derived unit for electric potential, electric potential difference, and electromotive force. The volt is named in honor of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta , who invented the voltaic pile, possibly the first chemical battery.- Definition :A single volt is defined as the...
"HP motor" of the same type as used in Scalextric
Scalextric
Scalextric is a toy brand for a range of slot car racing sets which first appeared in the late 1950s, as a creation of British firm Minimodels. The brand is currently owned and distributed by Hornby.-History:...
slot cars. As a result, the locomotive has drawn complaints from railway modellers that the motor is too fast for the engine to be realistic, with poor low-speed response. As a result, it is usually regarded as a toy, rather than a model. It does not come with DCC
Digital Command Control
Digital Command Control is a standard for a system to operate model railways digitally. When equipped with Digital Command Control, locomotives on the same electrical section of track can be independently controlled....
capability, although can be converted.