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LBSCR L class 4-6-4T

photograph: Mike Morant collection

L Class N°328 in LB&SCR days, location unknown.

TL Billinton's handome "L" Class baltic tank was the last entirely new locomotive design of the LB&SCR. The first, N°327, came out in April 1914 and bucked the trend of doing away with locomotive names started by Marsh in 1906 by carrying the name Charles G Macrae, the second locomotive to carry this name after R Billinton's B2 class N°314 of 1895, until removed by the Southern Railway in July 1925.

The two 22in x 28in outside cylinders, inclined at an angle, were the largest ever fitted to a Brighton locomotive, and among the largest in the country. When first built there were problems with water surging in the huge side tanks when they were only half full, a problem that was cured by cutting down on the water space without affecting the outside shells of the tanks. The boiler had a working pressure of 170lb and two Ramsbottom safety valves were fitted to the top of the Belpaire firebox.

Five more locomotives were ordered in 1921 and another two in 1922. These, though, were a little different in that they were fitted with well tanks and very shallow, 15in, sidetanks (though the size of outer shell was maintained to give the class a uniform appearance). The water capacity of these seven was a fraction more than that of the modified first two of the class. The lst seven were also fitted with large underslung laminated springs for the outside coupled axles

The modified engines were very stable, fast and powerful and were more than up to the task of handling the 400 ton "Southern Belle", or the heaviest of business trains. When required, the making up of ten minutes of late running was well within their capabilities once south of East Croydon. Two of the final seven were named, although this had not been the original intention. The Stephenson Locomotive Society, which had very strong connections with the LB&SCR, suggested that one, N°329, should carry the name Stephenson seeing as the original locomotive of that name had been withdrawn before WWI. This took place shortly after the engine entered service in 1921. Then the last of the seven, N°333, was chosen to be the Railway's War Memorial engine. Various suggestions were put forward until the name Remembrance was finally chosen. The nameplates were affixed to the sides of the engine with a further plaque carrying the inscription: "In grateful remembrance of the 532 men of the L.B.& S.C.Rly. who gave their lives for their country, 1914-19". The locomotive was painted grey with black bands and white lining, with lettering and numerals that were white blocked in black and remained thus until painted green by the Southern Railway.

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  • 2332
    Lewes

     
    N°2332 departing from Lewes with the last scheduled steam-hauled express from Victoria to Eastbourne, the 1:28pm ex-Victoria on 6 July 1935. Four months later she will re-emerge as rebuilt by Maunsell to Class N15x.
    Photograph by the late Eric Arnold, courtesy of the Dick Morant collection.
  • 2331
    Lewes

     
    The corresponding final steam-hauled up service was the 2:25pm ex-Eastbourne on the same date, seen here arrivng at Lewes behind N°2331.
    Photograph by the late Eric Arnold, courtesy of the Dick Morant collection.

Technical Details

Introduced:
Driving Wheel:
Total Weight:
Water Capacity:
Cylinders (2):
Boiler Pressure:
Tractive Effort:
Coal Capacity:
April 1914
6 ft 9 ins
98 tons 5 cwt
2,686/2,713* gals
22 in x 28 in
170 lb sq in
24,176 lb
3 tons 10 cwt
 
LBSC N° Name Built SR N° # To N15x
327 Charles G Macrae § Apr 1914 2327 Apr 1935
328 - Sep 1914 2328 Feb 1936
329 Stephenson Oct 1921 2329 Dec 1934
330 - Nov 1921 2330 Sep 1935
331 - Dec 1921 2331 Apr 1936
332 - Sep 1922 2332 Nov 1935
333 Remembrance May 1922 2333 Jun 1935
§  Name removed in July 1925
Between 1923 and 1928 SR numbers were the LBSC numbers with the added prefix 'B'

This page was last updated 16 May 2004

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