The Wilson Worsdell X2 (NER No. 957) 2-2-4T Locomotive

This locomotive was originally built in 1874 as an 0-4-4T B.T.P (Bogie Tank Passenger) locomotive (LNER G6). It was given the number 957, which it kept for its entire life. It was rebuilt into a 2-2-4T in April 1903 specifically for hauling an officer's saloon. This rebuild included a new boiler and cylinders. The bunker design was kept, but the coal capacity was increased from 2 tons to 2.75 tons. A new Worsdell-style cab was also fitted. The original side tanks were relatively low, but their height was increased before 1917.

Two bell-shaped whistles were fitted. Unlike No. 66 Aerolite, Raven fog signalling apparatus was never fitted.

For virtually its entire life, X2 No. 957 was based at Botanic Gardens (Hull) for use by the Hull District Superintendent. The only exception was six months between 1931 and 1932 when it was temporarily required in York. During this time, it was replaced by X3 No. 190. Between 1933 and 1934, it often replaced the diesel-railcar Lady Hamilton after its many failings. By 1935, Lady Hamilton had been replaced by two D17 4-4-0s.

Two years later in 1937, No. 957 was finally retired from service. With the exception of preservation-era specials (eg. of Stirling's No.1), No. 957 was the last "single-driver" locomotive to operate traffic in the Britain.

Technical Details

These are the details of No. 957 when it entered LNER ownership with the Grouping of 1923.

Preservation

No. 957 was withdrawn in 1937 and did not enter preservation.

Models

I am not aware of any models of No. 957 in any scale.