GNR Classes D2 and D3

GNR Classes D2 and D3 were two classes of 51 4-4-0 steam locomotives designed by Henry A. Ivatt They were the first 4-4-0s to be introduced by the Great Northern Railway (GNR) and Ivatt's first original design for the GNR.^[1]

GNR Class D2/LNER Class D4[]

The first member, No. 400, emerged from Doncaster Works in December 1896. Between May 1897 and December 1899, fifty more members were constructed. The last ten, Nos. 1351-1360 (LNER Nos. 4351–4360) were built with a raised running plate above the coupling rods to match the Small Atlantics that were being introduced at this time. Unlike most 4-4-0s of the era, the D2s were intended for secondary duties from the getgo. As well as stopping passenger trains, the D2s could also be seen as pilots to the Stirling Singles on heavy express trains. Another duty for the class was light express passenger trains. Initially, the D2s suffered from their bogies being prone to cracking. Between 1909 and 1921, extra plates were added to the replacement bogie frames, which were also 2.5 inches deeper. From 1921 onwards, the frames were strengthened further and more plates were placed within the frames. Under the LNER, the D2s were reclassified as D4s. Following the Groupings, both they and the D3s moved to former Great Central Railway and North Eastern Railway sheds.

GNR Class D3/LNER Class D3[]

In 1912, Nigel Gresley replaced Ivatt as chief mechanical engineer for the GNR. That same year, he introduced a new 4-foot 8-inch boiler for the D2s and the GNR J5 0-6-0s. Although the firebox was shorter, the overall area of 105 square feet was two square feet more than the D2s. The first member to be rebuilt was No. 1359 in November 1912, six months after J5 No. 1163. The rebuild also involved shortening the chimney and raising the boiler. By the Groupings of 1923, six D2s (now classified as D4s) remained. The last member to be rebuilt was No. 4358 in June 1928. In 1923, No. 1305N was rebuilt with slightly larger tubes and a larger firebox. In this form, she became part of the LNER D2 Class, which had seventy other previous locomotives built between 1898 and 1909. In 1926, No. 4320 was also rebuilt, bringing a class total of seventy-two D2s.^[2] The D3s, meanwhile, had forty-nine members left in service. In the 1930s, the Stainmore Route in County Durham, which ran from Darlington to Penrith, was in need of more locomotives to replace the LNER D23 Class 4-4-0s. Initially, LNER J21 Class 0-6-0s had been tried before but tended to have motion failures, particularly after descending the line's banks. This was because of a habit drivers had when it came to driving the class in these areas. Meanwhile, the D3s were tried out in this area. These were fitted with larger cabs and side windows for better crew protection. However, the class proved to be unsuited for the Stainmore line.^[3] In 1944, No. 4075 was fitted with a Thompson cab and, after World War II, was painted in LNER apple green, the only member of her class to carry this livery.

Withdrawals[]

Withdrawals began as early as 1935, with Nos. 4308 and 4360 going in October. By the start of World War II, only thirty-five were left. However, one member, No. 4304, was withdrawn in 1942. Mass withdrawals picked up starting in February 1946. However, thirty-one members did survive long enough to get renumbered under Edward Thompson's renumbering scheme. Nineteen survived into BR ownership. However, only three members survived long enough to get their BR numbers. The final member to go was No. 62000 on 18 October 1951 as the last surviving GNR 4-4-0 in operation.

References[]

External links[]

• LNER Encyclopedia