The LNER Encyclopedia

Hi All,

I have been having a bit of a discussion on a couple of kit's that I have and will be building at some point. The discussion was around trip cocks, which I had heard of before but didn't really know what they were.

My question is would either/both F5's and N2's have been fitted with trip cocks during while being operate under LNER pre war?

Many thanks for any insight you can offer.

Class F5

Tripcocks were required for working over London Transport lines as part of the signalling/safety systems; when tripped by lineside equipment they automatically applied the brakes.

Originally those locomotives working over the East London line were so fitted (for the duration of their allocation to those workings) but later, after various other lines were transferred to London Transport (e.g. the Central Line to Epping) during the 1930s, other locomotives working over those lines were also fitted.

According to Yeadon's Register Volume 39, the following F5s were originally fitted with tripcocks between December 1929 and February 1930:
7091, 7094, 7104, 7108, 7109, 7110, 7780

In 1947 there were 15 so fitted: 7192, 7198, 7199, 7200, 7201, 7202, 7203, 7207, 7208, 7209, 7210, 7211, 7212, 7214 and 7215 (1946 renumbering numbers)

A number of these locomotives also retained the condensing gear for working through the tunnel under the R Thames.

Since the F5 class had a number of specific variations over time, not all applied to all members of the class, for accuracy it would be appropriate to consult Yeadon for specific details.

Class N2

I'm sorry but you need a GN man to answer re the N2s. The RCTS 'greenie' Part 9A states that the engines in the London Area were fitted with tripcocks from July 1925 for working over the Widened Lines but does not appear to provide specific details of which ones.

G'Day Gents

I think you can put money on the fact that anything with condensing gear will have been fitted with a tripcock regarding the N2's, but any loco sent to another shed ( ie Scotland/West Riding) would have had it all removed, perversely, when they returned, it all had to be replaced.

manna

I should add that tripcocks were to be fitted within 5 feet of the front/rear of the locomotive and on the right hand side when leading. This means that one was fitted to the front of the right hand side of the locomotive when facing forward and to the rear of the left hand side for when running in reverse.

Thanks Gents, that's perfect. As I plan to add condensing gear then Trip Cocks are needed.

Thanks again for your input, it's appreciated.