NCC Class B3

The LMS (Northern Counties Committee) Class B3 4-4-0 passenger steam locomotives were rebuilds of Belfast and Northern Counties Railway (BNCR) two-cylinder compound locomotives. They operated services throughout the NCC’s 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) broad gauge system in the north-east of Ireland.

NCC Class B3
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderBeyer, Peacock & Co., Gorton Foundry, Manchester
Build date1890–1898
RebuilderNCC, York Road works, Belfast
Rebuild date1927–1931
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-4-0
Gauge5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
Leading dia.3 ft 0 in (0.914 m)
Driver dia.6 ft 0 in (1.829 m)
Wheelbase40 ft 9 1⁄4 in (12.43 m) including tender
Length49 ft 6 in (15.09 m)
Width8 ft 4 in (2.54 m)
Height13 ft 2 in (4.01 m)
Axle load16 long tons 0 cwt (35,800 lb or 16.2 t)
Adhesive weight30 long tons 8 cwt (68,100 lb or 30.9 t)
Loco weight45 long tons 2 cwt (101,000 lb or 45.8 t)
Total weight72 long tons 0 cwt (161,300 lb or 73.2 t)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity6 long tons (13,400 lb (6.1 t)
Water cap2,120 imperial gallons (9,600 l; 2,550 US gal)
Boiler pressureNos.21, 24, 28: 160 psi (1.10 MPa)
Nos.60, 61: 200 psi (1.38 MPa)
Heating surface1,038 sq ft (96.4 m2)
 • Tubes508.7 sq ft (47.26 m2)
 • Firebox103 sq ft (9.6 m2)
Superheater:
​
 • Heating area233.7 sq ft (21.71 m2)
CylindersTwo
Cylinder size18 in × 24 in (457 mm × 610 mm)
Valve gearWalschaerts
Valve type8-inch (203 mm) piston valves
Train brakesAutomatic vacuum
Performance figures
Tractive effortNos.21, 24, 28: 14,688 lbf (65.3 kN)
Nos.60, 61: 18,360 lbf (81.7 kN)
Career
OperatorsLMS NCC
Number in class5
NicknamesWhippet
Scrapped1938–1947

History

The locomotives that comprised the Northern Counties Committee Class B3 were rebuilds of two classes of BNCR "Light Compounds". These had been built by Beyer, Peacock and Company in the 1890s to the design of the BNCR Locomotive Engineer Bowman Malcolm. The first two members of the class were originally Class C Light Compound 2-4-0s. Rebuilding began with No.28 in 1927 and No.21 in the following year. The other three Class B3 locomotives (24, 60 and 61) were derived from Class B Light Compounds whose only original difference was that they had always been 4-4-0s and not 2-4-0s.

However, before alteration to Class B3, Nos.60 and 61 had already undergone an earlier rebuilding to become Class B1 compounds in 1921 to be followed by No.51 in August 1926. On the other hand, No.24 was rebuilt as a simple (i.e. not compound) in February 1925 to become the solitary member of the somewhat ephemeral Class B2.

All five engines had 18 by 24 inches (460 mm × 610 mm) cylinders with 8-inch (203 mm) piston valves and retained their 6 ft 0 in (1.829 m) driving wheels. The first three members of the class had boilers rated at 160 psi (1.10 MPa) but Nos.60 and 61 had the advantage of 200 psi (1.38 MPa) boilers.

During rebuilding, they were fitted with LMS standard boilers that had to be placed higher than the originals to allow the firebox and ash pan to clear the rear driving wheel axle. The smokebox saddle was extended accordingly to offer support. The closely coupled driving wheels accentuated the appearance of the high-pitched boiler, earning these engines the nickname of "Whippet" because of a perceived resemblance to the breed of racing dog.

All members of the class were officially named after Ulster counties.

No.28 was withdrawn in December 1938 having run just over a quarter million miles in her rebuilt form. The remaining locomotives served throughout World War II and were scrapped in 1946–1947.

Building and withdrawal data

The following table summarises the rebuilding and renumbering history of the Class B3 locomotives.

Original
No.		 Class Date
Built		 Date
Rebuilt		 Class Rebuilt
to B3		 New
No.		 Name Scrapped
51CMay 18901926 AugustB1December 192821County DownJune 1947
24BMay 18981925 FebruaryB2September 192824County LondonderryJune 1947
58CApril 1890——June 192728County TyroneDecember 1938
60BJuly 18971921B1June 193260County DonegalOctober 1946
61BOctober 18971921B1January 193261County AntrimOctober 1946

Livery

The Class B3 locomotives were painted in crimson lake with yellow and black lining. The LMS crest was carried on the upper cab sides. The initials "NCC" in shaded serif gold capital letters were placed centrally on the tender sides. Number plates were brass with raised digits and edge; they were carried on the lower cab sides with another placed centrally on the back of the tender tank. Curved nameplates were fitted above the leading driving wheel splashers. Buffer beams and number plate and name plate backgrounds were painted red. The engine number was applied to the front buffer beam in shaded gold digits.

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References
  • Arnold, R.M. (1973). NCC Saga. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. ISBN 0 7153 5644 5.
  • Arnold, R.M. (1973). Supplement to NCC Saga. Whitehead: Railway Preservation Society of Ireland.
  • London Midland and Scottish Railway (Northern Counties Committee). Class B3 general arrangement drawing. Belfast: LMS (NCC).
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