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LSWR 46 class and 0415 class 4-4-2T

photograph: Mike Morant collection.

'0415' class N°493 in LSWR days

William Adams, the LSWR CME, introduced the '46' class of twelve 4-4-0 tanks in 1879, built for the Railway by Beyer, Peacock & Co., numbered 46, 123/4, 130, 132/3 and 374/9. They were then converted to 4-4-2 radial tanks between 1883 and 1886 following the successful introduction of the '415' class of 4-4-2 radial tanks, later the '0415' class, in 1882. They were ordered to fill an urgent need for passenger tank engines and because of limited capacity at Nine Elms, the decision was also made to order these from outside locomotive manufacturers. The first twelve were ordered late in 1881 from Beyer Peacock & Co. and delivered in the second half of 1882 numbered 415-426, eighteen were built by Stephenson in 1883, numbered 427-432, 45, 47-57, ten were built in 1884 by Dübs & Co numbered 169-171, 173, 490-495, with another thirty one built in 1885, eleven by Neilson & Co numbered 479-489 ten each by Stephenson, numbered 68, 77, 78, 82, 104, 106, 107, 125, 126, 129 and Dübs & Co numbered 516-525.

The locomotives became known as 'Radial' tanks as a radial truck was fitted to support the weight of the enlarged bunker, which carried a well tank holding 680 gallons of water between the frames, as well as three tons of coal. The new locomotives were an instant success and further authorisations were given in the following three years for 59 more 415s, giving a final total of 71 locomotives in this class. Although all were to the same basic design, those delivered after 1884 had slightly larger side tanks and deeper fireboxes. All initially carried the familiar Adams stove pipe chimney and most were allocated to the London area for suburban traffic.

Spare boilers were provided in 1895, to a modified design, to facilitate improved turnaround times during overhauls at Nine Elms Works. In Drummond's time a further 2 spare boilers were built for the class and the exchange of any of these newer boilers necessitated minor modifications to items such as cab fronts. In Drummond's time coal rails were fitted to the bunkers and his standard pattern of chimney began to appear on some locomotives.

Although the introduction of Adams T1 class of 0-4-4 tanks displaced some from the London area, this process of dispersal to the country areas was hastened by the introduction of Drummond's M7 0-4-4 tanks. However many radial tanks still remained on selected, but less onerous London duties, until the start of suburban electrification in Urie's time.

So pleased was Adams with the first twelve of the '415' class that he rebuilt the '46' class to be more or less the same during 1883-6. The most noticeable difference being the location of the safety valves.

The intervention of the First World War gave many of them an extension to their time, but there were a significant number of withdrawals (38) in 1921. Many of the class became surplus to requirements during the later years of the war and in 1917 N°0488 was sold to the Ministry of Munitions. This was followed by an incredible series of events for N°488, to be recounted later. Early in 1918 numbers 0480/1/5/7 were sent to Glasgow on their way to help out on the Highland Railway during an acute shortage of locomotives at the end of WW1. They remained there until 1919 for 0480/1 and 1921 for the remaining 0485/7. The remaining 30 locomotives entered into Southern Railway stock in 1923, but for these the encroaching electrification meant that all but numbers 0125 and 0520 were withdrawn by 1930.

Going back in time to 1913, it had been found after several years of trying redundant Stroudley 'Terriers' and Drummond O2s on the severely curved Lyme Regis branch, that the flexible 0415 class tanks were much more successful, so three were allocated to Exmouth Junction shed for that service. Various class members came and went for service on the branch, but by 1929 the remaining two, N°0125 and N°0520 were also in bad shape and laid aside. Their replacements, two ex-LBSCR D1 tanks were as unsuccessful as their brethren 'Terrier' tanks had been 25 years earlier, so N°0125 and N°0520 were sent to Eastleigh for rebuilding to emerge as 3125 and 3520. These sufficed for branch services until 1945.

As already mentioned, N°0488 had been sold to the Government in 1917, but had then been sold on to Colonel Stephens, between 1919 and 1921, for use on the East Kent Railway, for a mere £800. In 1946, the Southern Railway desperately needed a third 'Radial' tank for its Lyme Regis branch and found 0488 derelict, but intact, on the EKR. So, forty years on, it returned to Eastleigh Works, and received its updated old number back, now 3488. So 3125, 3488 and 3520 went into BR stock in 1948, to become 30582/3/4.

However, it seemed even 'Radial' tanks couldn't last forever, and by 1958 all three were in bad shape. Ex-GWR 0-4-2 tanks were tried on the line, but to no avail. By 1961, the end really had come, as Ivatt 2-6-2 tanks were permitted for use on the line after some track modifications, and N°125 and N°520 were scrapped. Fate stepped in once again and the once-derelict 488 was purchased by the Bluebell Railway.

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  • 55
    Bournemouth
    '0415' class N°55 at Bournemouth West in 1909.
    Photograph: Mike Morant collection.
  • 3125
    Rebuilt
    A survivor! N°3125 looking resplendent in Southern livery after being rebuilt at Eastleigh. This was one of the later-built locomotives with the larger side tanks.
    Photograph Mike Morant collection.
  • 3488
    Lyme Regis
    Another survivor! N°3488 photographed at Lyme Regis sometime after her return to the Southern Railway in 1946.
    Photograph Mike Morant collection.
  • 30583
    Axminster
    N°3488 has now become N°30583 and was photographed at Axminster on 4th January 1961 in BR black. This locomotive has been preserved and is presently on the Bluebell Railway as LSWR N°488.
    Photograph by John Bradbeer.
  • 30582
    Nine Elms
    A shining clean N°30582 photographed whilst at Nine Elms, date unknown.
    Photograph Mike Morant collection.
  • 30582
    Guildfors
    Railway Enthusiats Club South Western Adams Radial Tank Railtour of 19th March 1961 with N°30582 at Guildford.
    Photograph Mike Morant collection.
  • 30583
    Nr Axminster
    N°30585 and train near Axminster, date unknown.
    Photograph Mike Morant collection.

On the Bluebell, N°488 has remained a strong favourite and has appeared over the years variously as 488 in both Drummond and Urie LSWR liveries, as N°3488 in Southern Railway livery and as N°30583 in British Railways Lined Black livery, and is still in constant use between overhauls.

Quite a remarkable career for a locomotive of some 125 years.

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  • 488
    Horsted Keynes
    N°488 at Horsted Keynes during the early days of the Bluebell Railway.
    Photograph by Keith Harwood.
  • 488
    Sheffield Park

     
    N°488 in the original engine shed at Sheffield Park on the Bluebell Railway.
    Photograph by Ray Soper.
  • 488
    Horsted Keynes

     
    N°488 at Horsted Keynes during July 1974.
    Photograph by Michael Taylor.
  • 488
    Nr Sheffield Park

     
    During July 1976 N°488 hauled a special for the Elizabethan Railway Society.  She is seen here approaching Sheffield Park bunker first.
    Photograph by Michael Taylor.

Technical Details

46 Class 4-4-0T

Introduced:
Driving Wheel:
Bogie Wheel:
Trailing Wheel:
Length:
Total Weight:
Water Capacity:
Cylinders (2):
Boiler Pressure:
Tractive Effort:
Coal Capacity:

 

1879
5 ft 7 ins
2 ft 6 in
3 ft 0 in
?
52 tons 0 cwt
1,000 gals
18 in x 24 in
140 lb sq in
13,810 lb
1 ton 5 cwt

46 Class 4-4-2T

1882
5 ft 7 ins
2 ft 6 in
3 ft 0 in
36 ft 5½ ins
58 tons 19 cwt
1,650 gals
18 in x 24 in
140 lb sq in
13,810 lb
3 ton 0 cwt

0415 Class 4-4-2T

1882
5 ft 7 ins
2 ft 6 in
3 ft 0 in §
38 ft 8¼ ins
54 tons 2 cwt
1,000 gals #
17½ in x 24 in
140 lb sq in *
13,050 lb *
3 ton 0 cwt

§ 3 ft 6 in on engines built in 1885
# 1,200 gals on engines built from 1884
* later 160 lb sq in and 14,920 TE

Data

The LSWR numbering system could be described as nothing less than chaotic! With this in mind the following table is set out in what is believed to be the order of build:

 
Class N° when
built
Built Renum Date Rebuilt
as 4-4-2T
Duplicate/
SR N° #
Date to
Duplicate list
BR N° Builder Withdrawn
46 46 1879 - - Apr 1886 046 1905 - Beyer, Peacock Jan 1925
46 123 1879 - - Jan 1886 0123 1903 - Beyer, Peacock Nov 1921
46 124 1879 - - Mar 1883 0124 1903 - Beyer, Peacock Nov 1921
46 130 1879 - - Jun 1885 0130 1903 - Beyer, Peacock May 1924
46 132 1879 - - Nov 1885 0132 1903 - Beyer, Peacock Dec 1924
46 133 1879 - - Jan 1885 0133 1903 - Beyer, Peacock Nov 1921
46 374 1879 - - Sep 1886 0374 1903 - Beyer, Peacock Dec 1924
46 375 1879 - - Oct 1884 0375 1903 - Beyer, Peacock Oct 1925
46 376 1879 - - Dec 1883 0376 1903 - Beyer, Peacock Feb 1914 *
46 377 1879 - - Jul 1886 0377 1903 - Beyer, Peacock Dec 1924
46 378 1879 - - Aug 1885 0378 1903 - Beyer, Peacock Dec 1924
46 379 1879 - - Nov 1884 0379 1903 - Beyer, Peacock Nov 1921
0415 415 1882 - - - 0415 1904 - Beyer, Peacock 1922
0415 416 1882 - - - 0416 1904 - Beyer, Peacock 1925
0415 417 1882 - - - 0417 1904 - Beyer, Peacock 1923
0415 418 1882 - - - 0418 1904 - Beyer, Peacock 1922
0415 419 1882 - - - 0419 1904 - Beyer, Peacock 1923
0415 420 1882 - - - 0420 1904 - Beyer, Peacock 1923
0415 421 1882 - - - 0421 1904 - Beyer, Peacock 1922
0415 422 1882 - - - 0422 1904 - Beyer, Peacock 1925
0415 423 1882 - - - 0423 1904 - Beyer, Peacock 1922
0415 424 1882 - - - 0424 1904 - Beyer, Peacock Jul 1916 *
0415 425 1882 - - - 0425 1904 - Beyer, Peacock 1922
0415 426 1882 - - - 0426 1904 - Beyer, Peacock 1924
0415 427 Mar 1883 - - - 0427 1904 - R Stephenson 1923
0415 428 Mar 1883 - - - 0428 1904 - R Stephenson 1925
0415 429 Apr 1883 - - - 0429 1904 - R Stephenson 1925
0415 430 Jun 1883 - - - 0430 1905 - R Stephenson 1923
0415 431 Jun 1883 - - - 0431 1905 - R Stephenson 1925
0415 432 Oct 1883 - - - 0432 1905 - R Stephenson 1922
0415 45 Oct 1883 - - - 045 1905 - R Stephenson 1924
0415 47 Oct 1883 - - - 047 1905 - R Stephenson 1923
0415 48 Oct 1883 - - - 048 1905 - R Stephenson 1921
0415 49 Nov 1883 - - - 049 1905 - R Stephenson 1921
0415 50 Nov 1883 - - - 050 1905 - R Stephenson 1927
0415 51 Nov 1883 - - - 051 1905 - R Stephenson 1923
0415 52 Nov 1883 - - - 052 1905 - R Stephenson 1923
0415 53 Nov 1883 - - - 053 1905 - R Stephenson 1923
0415 54 Dec 1883 - - - 054 1905 - R Stephenson 1924
0415 55 Dec 1883 - - - 055 1905 - R Stephenson 1924
0415 56 Dec 1883 - - - 056 1906 - R Stephenson 1922
0415 57 Dec 1883 - - - 057 1906 - R Stephenson 1924
0415 169 1884 - - - 0169 1904 - Dübs & Co 1926
0415 170 1884 - - - 0170 1904 - Dübs & Co 1923
0415 171 1884 - - - 0171 1904 - Dübs & Co 1923
0415 173 1884 - - - 0173 1904 - Dübs & Co 1923
0415 490 1884 - - - 0490 1914 - Dübs & Co 1926
0415 491 1884 - - - 0491 1914 - Dübs & Co 1922
0415 492 1884 - - - 0492 1921 - Dübs & Co 1922
0415 493 1884 - - - 0493 1921 - Dübs & Co 1923
0415 494 1884 - - - 0494 1921 - Dübs & Co 1922
0415 495 1884 - - - 0495 1921 - Dübs & Co 1922
0415 479 1885 - - - 0479 1911 - Neilson & Co 1921
0415 480 1885 - - - 0480 1911 - Neilson & Co 1925
0415 481 1885 - - - 0481 1911 - Neilson & Co 1924
0415 482 1885 - - - 0482 1914 - Neilson & Co 1923
0415 483 1885 - - - 0483 1914 - Neilson & Co 1925
0415 484 1885 - - - 0484 1914 - Neilson & Co 1922
0415 485 1885 - - - 0485 1914 - Neilson & Co 1924
0415 486 1885 - - - 0486 1914 - Neilson & Co 1928
0415 487 1885 - - - 0487 1914 - Neilson & Co 1924
0415 488 1885 - - - 0488/3488 * 1914 30583 Neilson & Co Jul 1961 *
0415 489 1885 - - - 0489 1914 - Neilson & Co 1922
0415 68 1885 58 1889 - 058 1906 - R Stephenson 1925
0415 77 1885 59 1889 - 059 1906 - R Stephenson 1925
0415 78 1885 60 1889 - 060 1906 - R Stephenson 1922
0415 82 1885 - - - 082 1908 - R Stephenson 1922
0415 104 1885 - - - 0104 1905 - R Stephenson 1922
0415 106 1885 - - - 0106 1905 - R Stephenson 1924
0415 107 1885 - - - 0107 1905 - R Stephenson 1922
0415 125 1885 - - - 0125/3125 1911 30582 R Stephenson Jul 1961
0415 126 1885 - - - 0126 1911 - R Stephenson 1924
0415 129 1885 - - - 0129 1911 - R Stephenson 1924
0415 516 1885 - - - 0516 1921 - Dübs & Co 1924
0415 517 1885 - - - 0517 1921 - Dübs & Co 1927
0415 518 1885 - - - 0518 1921 - Dübs & Co 1923
0415 519 1885 - - - 0519 1921 - Dübs & Co 1926
0415 520 1885 - - - 0520/3520 1922 30584 Dübs & Co Feb 1961
0415 521 1885 - - - 0521 1924 - Dübs & Co 1925
0415 522 1885 - - - 0522 1924 - Dübs & Co 1928
0415 523 1885 - - - - - - Dübs & Co 1923
0415 524 1885 - - - 0524 1924 - Dübs & Co 1925
0415 525 1885 - - - - - - Dübs & Co 1923
Between 1923 and 1928 SR numbers were the LSWR numbers with the added prefix 'E', although the prefix may not have been removed until some time later
Sold to the Brecon & Merthyr Railway as their N°44, became GWR N°1391
Sold to the Government
First sold to the Government in Jul 1917, 0488 was sold on to the East Kent Rly as their N°5 in 1919 and back to the SR in 1946 as N°3488. Now preserved on the Bluebell Railway as N°488.

This page was last updated 6 February 2012

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