NER Class W

The NER Class W was a class of ten 4-6-0T locomotives built by the North Eastern Railway at their Gateshead Works between 1907 and 1908. They were all rebuilt as Class W1 4-6-2T locomotives between 1914 and 1917.

NER Class W
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Wilson Worsdell Builder Gateshead Works Build date 1907–08 Total produced 10
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-6-0T  • UIC 2′C n2t Gauge 4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Wheelbase 26 ft 3 in (8.001 m) Length 40 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in (12.408 m) Adhesive weight 52 long tons (53 t; 58 short tons) Loco weight 69.85 long tons (70.97 t; 78.23 short tons) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 2.25 long tons (2.29 t; 2.52 short tons) Water cap 1,500 imp gal (6,800 l; 1,800 US gal) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 23 sq ft (2.1 m^2) Boiler pressure 170 lbf/in^2 (1.17 MPa) Heating surface 1,312 sq ft (121.9 m^2)  • Tubes 1,182 sq ft (109.8 m^2)  • Firebox 130 sq ft (12 m^2) Cylinders Two, inside Cylinder size 19 in × 26 in (483 mm × 660 mm) Valve gear Stephenson
Career Operators North Eastern Railway Numbers 686–695 Disposition All rebuilt as Class W1 (1914–1917)
[1]

The ten locomotives were built in one batch, and were numbered 686 to 695. They were designed for the Scarborough to Whitby line, on which the Class O 0-4-4T locomotives then in use were having difficulty with the traffic, especially the three-mile (4.8 km) section of 1 in 40 (2.5%).[2] However, the low fuel and water capacity was a barrier to operational efficiency, and so between September 1914 and January 1917 the whole class was rebuilt as 4–6–2T locomotives and reclassified W1.

Only one batch was built as the design was soon superseded by the Class D 4-4-4T.

Table of locomotives

NER No.	Works No.	Date built	Date rebuilt
686	84	December 1907	May 1915
687	85	December 1907	January 1917
688	86	December 1907	September 1914
689	87	January 1908	May 1915
690	88	February 1908	August 1916
691	89	March 1908	June 1915
692	90	March 1908	May 1916
693	91	March 1908	February 1916
694	92	April 1908	May 1915
695	93	April 1908	July 1915

References

1. Fry 1964, pp. 11–13.
2. Fry 1964, pp. 11–12.

• Fry, E. V., ed. (April 1964). Locomotives of the L.N.E.R., part 7: Tank Engines - Classes A5 to H2. Kenilworth: RCTS. ISBN 0-901115-13-4.