G&SWR 403 Class

The Glasgow and South Western Railway (G&SWR) 403 (or 'Austrian Goods') Class was a class of 2-6-0 (mogul) steam locomotive designed by Peter Drummond, of which 11 were built in 1915 by the North British Locomotive Company at its Queens Park works. Originally built as the 403 class, as a result of renumbering they became known as the 33 Class in 1916 and then 51 Class in 1919, before passing to the London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) on its formation in 1923, where they were given power classification 4F.

Glasgow and South Western Railway 403 Class
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Peter Drummond Builder North British Locomotive Co., Queen's Park Works, Glasgow Build date 1915 Total produced 11
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-6-0  • UIC 1′C Gauge 4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Driver dia. 60 in (1,524 mm) Length 58 ft (17.68 m) Loco weight 62 long tons (63.0 t; 69.4 short tons) Fuel type Coal Boiler pressure 180 psi (1.24 MPa) Superheater Robinson Cylinders Two Cylinder size 19.5 in × 26 in (495 mm × 660 mm) Valve gear Stephenson
Performance figures Tractive effort 25,210 lbf (112.14 kN)
Career Class G&SWR 403, 33, 51 LMS: 4F Retired 1935–1947 Disposition All scrapped

These freight-traffic locomotives were given the nickname Austrian Goods. The nickname was acquired because when the locomotives were delivered it was rumoured that they had been built from materials that NBL had gathered for a contract for Austria which was cancelled when World War I broke out. However, this rumour was unfounded as the design was entirely Drummond's and there is no evidence of any Austrian contract.[1]

History

The class was a development of Drummond's earlier 279 Class 0-6-0, fitted with superheating, pony trucks and numerous other improvements. They were far more successful than the 279s, being free running and remarkably economical in coal and water. However there were some reliability problems, notably with the design of the big ends and they were not considered suitable for passenger duties except in emergencies at reduced speed.[2]

The locomotives were initially allocated to the G&SWR's Carlisle Currock shed for goods trains to Glasgow, Greenock and Ayrshire. Under LMS ownership they were transferred to the former Caledonian Railway shed at Carlisle Kingmoor, after which they were also used on runs over the Caledonian Main Line and occasionally the Settle-Carlisle Line. As new LMS 'Crab' 2-6-0s took over their duties in the early 1930s most were displaced from Kingmoor to various LMS sheds throughout Scotland, with some even operating from Inverness for a time.[3]

In addition to their fuel economy, the type had the significant advantage that unlike most G&SWR locomotives it was possible to fit a Caledonian Railway type boiler. This saved them from being withdrawn by the LMS as non-standard as soon as their boilers became due for replacement.[4] The class therefore outlived all other G&SWR tender locomotive types, being withdrawn between 1935 and 1947. All were scrapped

Numbering

GSWR (original) no.	GSWR (1915/16) no.	GSWR (1919) no.	LMS no.	Builder's no.	Delivered	Withdrawn
403	33	52	17821	NBL 21172	09/1915	09/1946
404	34	53	17822	NBL 21173	09/1915	04/1944
405	92	55	17824	NBL 21174	09/1915	09/1935
406	93	56	17825	NBL 21175	09/1915	11/1936
407	94	57	17826	NBL 21176	09/1915	11/1945
408	99	58	17827	NBL 21177	09/1915	04/1938
409	16	51	17820	NBL 21178	11/1915	01/1938
410	61	54	17823	NBL 21179	10/1915	12/1936
116		59	17828	NBL 21180	11/1915	12/1935
117		60	17829	NBL 21181	11/1915	03/1947
121		61	17830	NBL 21182	11/1915	11/1938

source[5]

References

1. Smith 1976, p. 126.
2. Smith 1976, pp. 127–128.
3. Smith 1976, p. 127.
4. Essery & Jenkinson 1986, p. 167.
5. Smith 1976, pp. 179-180.

• Casserley, H.C.; Johnson, Stuart W. (1974) [1966]. Locomotives at the Grouping 3, London Midland and Scottish Railway. Shepperton, Surrey: Ian Allan Limited. ISBN 0-7110-0554-0.
• Essery, Bob; Jenkinson, David (1986). An Illustrated History of L.M.S. Locomotives, Volume Three: Absorbed Pre-Group Classes, Northern Division. Poole: Oxford Publishing Co.
• Highet, Campbell (1965). The Glasgow & South-Western Railway. Lingfield: Oakwood Press.
• Smith, David L. (1976). Locomotives of the Glasgow and South Western Railway. Newton Abbot: David & Charles.