LNER Class V1/V3

The London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) Class V1 and Class V3 were two classes of related 2-6-2T steam locomotive designed by Sir Nigel Gresley. A total of 82 V1s were built with 71 being rebuilt into the higher pressure V3s with an additional ten being built as V3s from the final batch of V1s. The V3 was a development of the V1 with increased boiler pressure and a resultant increase in tractive effort.

LNER Classes V1 and V3
V1 2-6-2T No. 67639 at Middlesbrough Locomotive Depot 1954
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Nigel Gresley Builder Doncaster Works Build date V1: 1930–39 V3: 1939–40 Total produced V1: 82 V3: 10
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-6-2T  • UIC 1′C1 h3t Trucks Front: double swing link; Rear: radial Leading dia. 3 ft 2 in (0.965 m) Driver dia. 5 ft 8 in (1.727 m) Trailing dia. 3 ft 8 in (1.118 m) Wheelbase 32 ft 3 in (9.83 m) Axle load V1: 19.25 long tons (19,560 kg) V3: 20.00 long tons (20,320 kg) Loco weight V1: 57.05 long tons (57,970 kg) V3: 58.10 long tons (59,030 kg) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity Original: 4 long tons (4,100 kg) With hopper-type bunker: 4.5 long tons (4,600 kg) Water cap. 2,000 imp gal (9,100 L) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 22.08 sq ft (2.051 m2) Boiler 5 ft (1.52 m) diameter; Diagram 102 Boiler pressure V1: 180 psi (1.24 MPa) V3: 200 psi (1.38 MPa) Heating surface: ​  • Firebox 127 sq ft (11.8 m2)  • Tubes 830 sq ft (77 m2)  • Flues 368 sq ft (34.2 m2)  • Total surface 1,609 sq ft (149.5 m2) Superheater: ​  • Type Robinson  • Heating area 284 sq ft (26.4 m2) Cylinders Three Cylinder size 16 in × 26 in (406 mm × 660 mm) Valve gear Outside: Walschaerts Inside: Gresley derived motion Loco brake Steam Train brakes Vacuum
Performance figures Tractive effort V1: 22,464 lbf (99.9 kN) V3: 24,960 lbf (111.0 kN)
Career Operators London and North Eastern Railway British Railways Power class BR: 4MT; V1 downgraded to 3MT in May 1953 Axle load class V1: Route Availability 6 V3: Route Availability 7 Withdrawn 1953 (1), 1960–1964 Disposition All scrapped. New build planned

Development history

The development of large tank engines was somewhat delayed by problems on the Southern Railway following the Sevenoaks derailment thought to have been caused by the instability of the large K class 2-6-4 tanks. Gresley carried out stability tests on one of these locomotives and finding no trouble and without further delay produced his sophisticated V1 class suburban tank in 1930. This incorporated his 3-cylinder system and was the first example of all three cylinders and valve chests being incorporated into a single steel casting; this arrangement was used for the P2 Cock o' the North and the subsequent V2, K4 and V4 types.

Construction history

A total of 82 V1s were built at Doncaster from 1930 to 1939. The last batch of 10 engines ordered were built as V3s. By 1948, 4 V1s were rebuilt as V3s, and a further 67 would be rebuilt to V3 specification under British Railways ownership.

Operational history

V3 tank on 'pilot' duty at Newcastle Central station

They were first used in Scotland on the Glasgow-Edinburgh - Helensburgh services. One, no 2911, was also tried in 1931 with excellent results on the Hitchin-London trains before returning to Scotland.

Later development of the V3

From 1939, with working pressure increased to 200 psi gave higher power and better acceleration. A number of V1s were rebuilt to conform. French-style hopper type coal bunker were also fitted. By 1956 there were 57 V1 and 35 V3 types in service, many on Newcastle-Middlesbrough services.

During World War II a number were transferred to help with the heavy wartime loads from the Royal Ordnance Factory at Thorp Arch until the end of the war.

The V1 and V3s were comparatively powerful engines suited to heavy and tightly timed suburban workings. As such they saw service on suburban services around Glasgow and Edinburgh. Several were also maintained at Hull for hauling suburban and branch-line workings in the area.

Some of the class were displaced by newer and more powerful Thompson L1 class. Withdrawals began in 1960, with the V1s being disposed of by 1962 and the V3s by 1964, as diesel multiple units took over increasing numbers of suburban services, and branch line workings became fewer as lines closed or were dieselised.

None of either class survived into preservation. However the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust announced in September 2018 that following on from the LNER Class V4 3403 project, a new V3 is planned to be built.

Accidents and incidents

• On 8 September 1933, locomotive No. 2902 was hauling a passenger train that collided with wagons on the line at Bowling, West Dunbartonshire due to a signalman's error. Five people were injured.
• On 3 August 1942, No. 7669 was damaged during a bombing raid at Middlesbrough railway station.
• In December 1951, BR No. 67630 was involved in a collision at Craigentinny near Edinburgh, doing severe damage to its front and derailing the first coach. The engine stayed on the rails and no one was injured.

Models

Bachmann produce models of both the V1 and V3 in 00 gauge in LNER green, BR Apple green and BR lined black.