LNER Thompson Class Q1

The London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) Thompson Class Q1 was a class of 0-8-0T steam locomotives. They were rebuilds of the GCR Class 8A (LNER Class Q4) 0-8-0s. Thirteen were rebuilt between 1942 and 1945 at Gorton Works. All passed to British Railways in 1948, numbered 69925–69937.

LNER Thompson Class Q1
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Edward Thompson (rebuild) Rebuild date 1942–1945 Number rebuilt 13
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-8-0T Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Driver dia. 4 ft 8 in (1.422 m) Loco weight Q1/1: 69.9 long tons (71.0 t; 78.3 short tons) Q1/2: 73.65 long tons (74.83 t; 82.49 short tons) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity Q1/1: 4.5 long tons (4.6 t; 5.0 short tons) Q1/2: 4 long tons (4.1 t; 4.5 short tons) Water cap. Q1/1: 1,500 imp gal (6,800 L; 1,800 US gal) Q1/2: 2,000 imp gal (9,100 L; 2,400 US gal) Boiler pressure 180 psi (1.2 MPa) Cylinders Two outside Cylinder size 19 in × 26 in (483 mm × 660 mm) Valve gear Stephenson
Performance figures Tractive effort 25,645 lbf (114.07 kN)
Career Operators London and North Eastern Railway → British Railways Class Q1 Power class 5F Withdrawn 1954–1959 Disposition All scrapped

Overview

The locomotives had outside cylinders with inside valves and inside Stephenson valve gear. There were two variants:

• Q1/1 (69925-69928) with 1,500-imperial-gallon (6,800 L; 1,800 US gal) tanks
• Q1/2 (69929-69937) with 2,000-imperial-gallon (9,100 L; 2,400 US gal) tanks

The extra 500 imperial gallons (2,300 L; 600 US gal) of water in the Q1/2 was carried in the rear tank, under the coal bunker, resulting in a reduced coal capacity.

Withdrawal

All the Class Q1 locomotives were withdrawn and scrapped from 1954 to 1959.

Further reading

• Willie Yeadon Yeadon's Register of LNER locomotives Vol 20: Class Q1, Q2, Q3 & Q4, & The Q1 Tank

Sources

• Grafton, Peter (2007). Edward Thompson of the LNER. Usk: Oakwood Press. ISBN 978-0-85361-672-6. OL145.