GCR Class 8A

The Great Central Railway (GCR) Class 8A was a class of 0-8-0 steam locomotive built between 1902 and 1911 for handling heavy coal trains over the Pennines. They all passed to the LNER in 1923, who redesignated them Class Q4. They were withdrawn from service between 1934 and 1951. Between 1942 and 1943, thirteen were rebuilt as 0-8-0T by Edward Thompson (engineer) and reclassified as Class Q1.

GCR Class 8A LNER Class Q4
LNER 6224 (ex 6133, exx GCR 1163) at Redford Locomotive Depot on Sunday, 13 April 1947
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer John G. Robinson Builder Neilson, Reid & Co. (3) Kitson & Co. (51) Gorton Works (35) Serial number NR: 6251–6253 Kitson: 4202–4209, 4475–4487 Build date 1902–1911 Total produced 89
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-8-0  • UIC D n2, later D h2 Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in) Driver dia. 4 ft 8 in (1.422 m) Wheel spacing (Asymmetrical) 5 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in (1.740 m) + 5 ft 5 ^1⁄2 in (1.664 m) + 5 ft 11 in (1.803 m) Loco weight 62.40 long tons (63.40 t) Boiler: ​  • Diameter 4 ft 9 in (1.45 m)  • Tube plates 15 ft 0 in (4.57 m) Boiler pressure 180 lbf/in^2 (1 MPa) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 19 in × 26 in (483 mm × 660 mm)
Career Operators Great Central Railway London and North Eastern Railway British Railways Nicknames Tinnies Disposition All scrapped

References

• Baxter, Bertram (1988). Baxter, David (ed.). British Locomotive Catalogue 1825–1923, Volume 5B: Great Northern Railway and Great Central Railway. Ashbourne, Derbyshire: Moorland Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-903485-86-9.
• Boddy, M. G.; Brown, W. A.; Hennigan, W.; Hoole, Ken; Neve, E.; Yeadon, W. B. (September 1984). Fry, E. V. (ed.). Locomotives of the L.N.E.R., Part 6C: Tender Engines—Classes Q1 to Y10. Kenilworth: RCTS. ISBN 0-901115-55-X.