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Re: Robinson locos of the GCR

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2022 11:42 pm
by neildimmer
Robinson C5 (GCR Classes 8D & 8E) 4-4-2 Atlantics
These four locomotives were an attempt at implementing compound expansion by Robinson. Compound expansion was believed to be a good way of improving efficiency, but it was never very popular in Britain. The most successful implementation was that of Walter Smith who designed the LMS Compound 4-4-0s that survived into British Railways (BR) ownership. Smith introduced this particular system of compound expansion whilst at the North Eastern Railway's (NER) Gateshead Works. In 1898 he rebuilt 4-4-0 No. 1619 as a three cylinder compound expansion locomotive (LNER D19 4-4-0). Robinson was impressed by the reports of this locomotive's success, and ordered two W.M. Smith-compound Atlantics based on his C4 Atlantic. Robinson's experiment may have also been influenced by the Great Western Railway's (GWR) purchase of the compound expansion de Glehn Atlantics from France.
The first two C5s were built in December 1905 and February 1906, and a second pair was built in December 1906.
The central high pressure cylinder drove the leading coupled axle, resulting in the cylinder being positioned far forward of the other two cylinders. Stephenson motion was used on all three cylinders, with a 10in diameter W.M. Smith-pattern piston valve on the central cylinder. The outside cylinders had unbalanced slide valves. All three sets of motion were driven from the rear coupled axle.

The C5's compound expansion resulted in a coal saving of about 2 to 2.5lb of coal per mile, when compared to the simple expansion C4. This slight advantage was negated by the extra cost and complexity of a compound third cylinder. Robinson introduced superheating a few years later, and this produced substantial improvements in efficiency without the complexity of compound expansion. Compound expansion was not developed any further by the GCR.

Just 4 photos in this small collection
Starting here with
258 The Rt. Hon. Viscount Cross GCB GCSI unknown location
https://tinyurl.com/y32np2tf

Neil.

Re: Robinson locos of the GCR

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 11:56 am
by neildimmer
I have added a new collection of photos featuring Robinson Class B5 (GCR Class 8) 4-6-0 "Fish" Engines
The Great Central Railway Class 8 - London North Eastern Railway Class B5 - was a class of 4-6-0 steam locomotives. They were nicknamed "Fish Engines" on delivery, due to their use on the fast fish deliveries from Grimsby to places like London, the duty they were designed for. The last was withdrawn in 1950.
Including this photo in GCR livery on a passenger service
186 on a passenger service unknown location
https://tinyurl.com/5893jd4p
full collection starts here with
4686 unknown location
https://tinyurl.com/4b2k69wt
to
6072 at Doncaster
https://tinyurl.com/2p9f5wh6

Neil
https://tinyurl.com/5893jd4p

Re: Robinson locos of the GCR

Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2022 11:43 am
by neildimmer
I have added a new collection of photos featuring Robinson Class Class B6 (GCR Class 8N) 4-6-0
The Great Central Railway Class 8N - London North Eastern Railway Class B6 - was a class of three 4-6-0 steam locomotives, designed by John G. Robinson in 1918. They were a mixed traffic class. All three examples were withdrawn in November and December 1947.
The first member of the class (No. 416) was built 1918, in the middle of a batch of GCR Class 8A 2-8-0 locomotives and the design had an identical boiler, cylinders and motion to this class. For three years this remained the only example of the class, but in 1921 Robinson built two further examples, with the intention of comparing their performance with his four-cylinder GCR Class 9P design and later decided to produce more of the 9Ps. The 8N was intended as an improved version of the 1A (LNER B8 class) of 1913, which had large inside cylinders and relatively small axleboxes on the driving axles. Although 8N was an improvement of the 1A design, .The 9P design of 1917 had four cylinders, resulting in a more balanced locomotive with smaller cylinders.
Although very competent locomotives, the three examples of this class were non-standard and used on a variety of secondary freight and passenger duties over the former Great Central Railway system. They were eventually replaced in 1947 by members of the B1 class
416 in Great Central Railway livery
https://tinyurl.com/bdcvhjtc
52 in GCR Livery
https://tinyurl.com/43bsxcdv
5416 in LNER livery
https://tinyurl.com/2p8ypavj
5052 in LNER livery
https://tinyurl.com/mwmhbvb7

Neil
https://tinyurl.com/bdcvhjtc

Re: Robinson locos of the GCR

Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2022 12:30 pm
by neildimmer
I have added a new collection of photos featuring Robinson Class B7 (GCR Class 9Q) 4-6-0s"Black Pigs" / "Colliers' Friends"
The GCR Class 9Q, classified B7 by the LNER, was a class of 4-6-0 mixed traffic locomotives designed by John G. Robinson for fast goods, relief passenger and excursion services on the Great Central Railway. They were a smaller wheeled version of Robinson’s earlier Class 9P "Lord Faringdon" express passenger class (LNER Class B3).
The B7s had short-travel valve gear that resulted in heavy coal consumption. This quickly led to the nicknames of "Black Pigs" and "Colliers' Friends", although they were probably Robinson's most successful 4-6-0 design. Also, it should be noted that their coal consumption during LNER ownership was similar to other 4-6-0s performing similar work.
Including these 2 photos
5481 still with GCR cabside number plate & LNER number on tender
https://tinyurl.com/ycyz644y
459 still with GCR cabside number plate & LNER number on tender
https://tinyurl.com/yckzrz38

full collection of LNER era locos starts here with
5031 unknown location
https://tinyurl.com/2p84arnj
to
5483 at Newcastle?
https://tinyurl.com/yaz8trcd

Neil
https://tinyurl.com/ycyz644y

Re: Robinson locos of the GCR

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2022 11:57 am
by neildimmer
I have added a new collection of photos of Robinson Class B8 (GCR Class 1A) 4-6-0s "Glenalmonds"

The B8 was a smaller-wheeled version of Robinson's B2 Sir Sam Fay class, and were known as the "Glen Almonds" after the prototype locomotive Glenalmond. This first locomotive was built in 1913, one year after the B2 was introduced. A year later, construction of ten further B8s commenced. The B8s were mainly used on goods trains, as well as some slow passenger and excursion services. Initial allocations were to Gorton, Neasden, and Immingham. By 1923, five were allocated to Annesley. With the LNER's construction of further B7s in 1923, the B8s were displaced from the GC section to March to help with the GE Section's shortage of mixed traffic locomotives. The B8's height restriction posed a major problem, and they were returned to the GC Section by the end of 1926.
During the Second World War, the B8s were used on a variety of traffic including heavy goods services and troop trains. They also wandered far and wide, and Glenalmond was sighted in Edinburgh on at least one occasion.

Including this photo of 5446 Earl Roberts of Kandahar double heading another Robinson loco unknown location
https://tinyurl.com/ycx4czhh

Full collection starts here with
5004 Glenalmond Colwick 6th October 1938
https://tinyurl.com/yckv6zcd
to
5446 Earl Roberts of Kandahar
https://tinyurl.com/ycy52598

Neil
https://tinyurl.com/ycx4czhh

Re: Robinson locos of the GCR

Posted: Thu May 12, 2022 10:51 am
by neildimmer
I have added a new collection of photos featuring Robinson designs of the GCR/LNER

Robinson's Class 8G (LNER B9) was based on that of his Class 8F (LNER B4), but with driving wheels that were 1ft 3in smaller. Construction of the ten B9s was started by Beyer Peacock & Co as soon as they finished constructing the ten B4s. Before Grouping, the B9s were allocated to Gorton and Lincoln. The Gorton locomotives worked the main goods duties from Manchester to Marylebone, Hull, and Grimsby; whilst the Lincoln locomotives hauled fast goods services to Manchester. By 1926, the Lincoln engines had moved to Gorton, and in 1927 four moved to Trafford Park. The B9s were principally used on goods trains throughout their lives, although they were sometimes used on stopping passenger services and race specials to Aintree and Haydock Park. After the end of World War Two, they were concentrated in the Liverpool/Manchester area, with allocations to Stockport, Trafford Park, and Liverpool. Mainly used for freight, emergencies occasionally called for them to be used to haul passenger trains between Liverpool and Manchester.

Including this photo of
6106 still with GCR cab side number plate but with LNER on tender
https://tinyurl.com/m5t9sapu

Full collection starts here with
1471
https://tinyurl.com/d3v5xjwv

Neil
https://tinyurl.com/m5t9sapu

Re: Robinson locos of the GCR

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2022 11:38 am
by neildimmer
I have added a lot of new photos featuring Robinson designs of the GCR/LNER
This collection features Robinson C4 (GCR Class 8B) 4-4-2 Atlantics 'Jersey Lillies'
Anticipating heavier traffic loads, the Great Central Railway (GCR) placed an order for four express passenger engines with Beyer, Peacock & Co. in 1903. For comparison purposes, two were 4-6-0s (LNER B1) and two were Atlantics of GCR Class 8B (LNER Class C4). The locomotives were as identical as possible, including the shallow firebox required on the B1 to clear the rear driving axle. As well as comparison purposes, the similarity in designs was intended to allow conversion of the C4s to 4-6-0s if required. All four engines were based on Robinson's earlier B5 4-6-0s, and featured two outside cylinders, and inside Stephenson valve gear with slide valves.
Traffic loads did not increase as significantly as expected, and when further express passenger locomotives were required, the Atlantic C4s were built rather than the larger B1 4-6-0s. A total of twenty five further C4s were built in three more batches from 1904 to 1906. These were built with deeper fireboxes due to the removal of the 4-6-0 restriction. In 1909 and 1910 the original two C4s were rebuilt with matching deep firebox boilers.
The C4s had classic Robinson looks and quickly acquired the nickname of 'Jersey Lilies' after a contemporary music hall star.
Including this photo of
5263 (right) and 2 GWR locos 8300 & 4934 Swindon shed c1932
https://tinyurl.com/y4fwz3kz

New photos start here with
2900 at Boston
https://tinyurl.com/244b9zyx
to
2919
https://tinyurl.com/bdd8xcka
to
6091
https://tinyurl.com/mr2ytxup

Neil
https://tinyurl.com/y4fwz3kz

Re: Robinson locos of the GCR

Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 11:42 am
by neildimmer
I have added a lot of new photos featuring Robinson designs of the GCR/LNER
This collection features Robinson C13 + C14 Atlantic Tank EngineS
Introduced in 1903, the C13 (GCR Class 9K) was Robinson's first suburban tank design; and is usually considered to be one of his most successful designs. The C13 was based on Pollitt's F2 2-4-2T design, but with a longer firebox and a longer smokebox. The firebox was also deeper, and the boiler lengthened slightly. Interestingly, the saturated C13s closely resembled the smaller 4-4-2Ts which Robinson had previously built for the Waterford Limerick & Western Railway in Ireland. In 1907, the Great Central Railway (GCR) took delivery of twelve 4-4-2T locomotives from Beyer, Peacock & Co. to the same basic design of the 1903-5 Class 9L (LNER Class C13)., but with wider side tanks and larger bunkers. These were given the designation of Class 9L by the GCR, and Class C14 by the LNER.

Including this photo of
67439 Sheffield Victoria September 1958
https://tinyurl.com/5n8sjyjn

Full collection starts here with
LNER era but locos still with GCR cast numberplates on cab side
18 unknown location
https://tinyurl.com/n58b6rah
LNER era proper
5018 Trafford Park May 1935
https://tinyurl.com/mr3jnyzb
to
7425
https://tinyurl.com/47ce87zx

B.R. era starts here with
67420 at Chesham 13th July 1954
https://tinyurl.com/44pwtdye
to
67451 under the wires unknown location
https://tinyurl.com/4ysuy6jp

Neil
https://tinyurl.com/5n8sjyjn

Re: Robinson locos of the GCR

Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2022 11:41 am
by neildimmer
I have added a lot of new photos featuring Robinson designs of the GCR/LNER
This collection features Robinson Class D9 (GCR Classes 11B, 11C, & 11D) 4-4-0 Locomotives
Within a year of becoming the Great Central Railway's (GCR) Locomotive Engineer, Robinson initiated an extensive programme of locomotive construction and modernisation. The programme started with his Class 9J 0-6-0 (LNER J11) and Class 11B 4-4-0 in 1901. Set against this programme of modernisation, the 11B locomotives turned out to be a throw-back to Parker's earlier Class 11 (LNER D5) design. The 11B had a similar cylinder layout to Pollitt's Class 11A (LNER D6), but replaced the piston valves with slide valves. Although the use of slide valves appears to have been a step backwards, it should be remembered that the D6s were still having a number of piston valve problems which were yet to be eradicated. As such, Robinson was clearly choosing a proven design over a promising but still problematic one. A total of forty 11Bs were built in four batches between 1901 and 1904. Sharp Stewart & Co. built the first three batches, and Vulcan Foundry built the last. Of the forty D9s, only four ever received names. No. 1014 Sir Alexander was named after the GCR's Chairman Alexander Henderson in 1902, after he received a baronetcy. The name was removed in 1913, when a D10 was named Sir Alexander Henderson. The remaining three named D9s were named after royalty, and kept their names until they were withdrawn from service
6021 Queen Mary Mexborough September 1936
https://tinyurl.com/mr3xun93

GCR era photos start here
https://tinyurl.com/ybh9m92s
to
https://tinyurl.com/4f9cd8e4

B.R. era photos start here
https://tinyurl.com/4jway2zb

Neil
https://tinyurl.com/mr3xun93

Re: Robinson locos of the GCR

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2022 10:36 am
by neildimmer
The GCR Class 9J (LNER Class J11) was a class of 174 0-6-0 steam locomotives designed by John G. Robinson for freight work on the Great Central Railway (GCR) in 1901.
They passed to the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) in 1923. The LNER classified them as J11 with sub-classes J11/1 to J11/5 because of detail differences.
The whole class survived into British Railways (BR) ownership in 1948 and their BR numbers were 64280–64453. All had been withdrawn and scrapped by 1962

Including this colour photo of
64354 unknown location with the LCGB 'The Midland Limited' rail tour 14th October 1962
https://tinyurl.com/pt7pnjp3

75 new photos starting here with
LNER era
5287 at Retford G.C.R. shed
https://tinyurl.com/2p8e4kvd
to
6119 Retford 3rd July 1932
https://tinyurl.com/5mnxthrc

B.R. era
64283 Retford G.C.13th May 1956
https://tinyurl.com/bp5s8j4p
to
64451 Retford 9th September 1951
https://tinyurl.com/53jb89eu


Neil
https://tinyurl.com/pt7pnjp3

Re: Robinson locos of the GCR

Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2022 11:53 am
by neildimmer
I have added a new collection of photos featuring Robinson Q4 (GCR Class 8A) 0-8-0
The Great Central Railway (GCR) Class 8A was a class of 0-8-0 steam locomotive built between 1902 and 1911 for handling heavy coal trains over the Pennines. They all passed to the LNER in 1923, who redesignated them Class Q4. They were withdrawn from service between 1934 and 1951.

Including this photo of
63200 Ardsley June 1949
https://tinyurl.com/hzw3p6z8

GCR era photos start here
39 unknown location
https://tinyurl.com/4bp9c67p
LNER era photos start here
3224 unknown location
https://tinyurl.com/4hc4kkz8
B.R. era photos start here
63200 unknown location
https://tinyurl.com/ubb5s4vj

Neil
https://tinyurl.com/hzw3p6z8

Re: Robinson locos of the GCR

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2023 11:37 am
by neildimmer
I have added a new photo to the collection of photos featuring Robinson S1 & Gresley booster fitted S1/3

Robinson designed these powerful 0-8-4 tank locomotives in 1907 for hump shunting the newly opened Wath-on-Dearne marshalling yard in South Yorkshire. Initially, four were built between 1907 and 1908. Robinson based the S1 on his 8-coupled tender engines (LNER Q4), but had three cylinders for smooth powerful uphill shunting. Due to the extra cylinder, a slightly wider boiler was fitted. Power reversing gear was also fitted due to the constant reversing experienced in a busy marshalling yard. These engines were generally successful, although sometimes two were needed together to shunt the heaviest trains in wet weather. Hence in 1930, Gresley tried fitting a booster to the trailing bogie. Boosters apply extra power at very slow speeds, and are usually used for starting heavy loads. Due to these being shunters, the S1 boosters were unusual because they were reversible (ie. applied power in both directions). Due to the required replacement of the complete bogie, it was considered economical to build new engines for the boosters. Hence, one locomotive (No. 6171) had a booster fitted, and two new locomotives were built with boosters in 1932. The unmodified engines were designated S1/1, whilst No. 6171 (modified) became S1/2, and the two new engines became S1/3.

2799 Mexborough 1933 fitted with Gresley booster (removed in 1943) Gresley S1-3 0-8-4T development of Robinson S1 class
https://tinyurl.com/zdjyr8x6

Neil
https://tinyurl.com/zdjyr8x6

Re: Robinson locos of the GCR

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2023 11:50 am
by neildimmer
I have a collection of new photos of Robinson L1 later reclassified L3 (GCR Class 1B) 2-6-4T Locomotives
The GCR Class 1B was a class of 2-6-4T (tank) locomotives on the Great Central Railway. They were notable as the first locomotives of the 2-6-4T wheel arrangement to be used by a British standard-gauge railway; there had been two narrow-gauge examples on the Leek & Manifold Valley Light Railway since 1904.
In 1945, the L1s were reclassified as Class L3 to make room for the new Thompson L1 2-6-4T class.
The first L1 was withdrawn in 1947. The remaining nineteen locomotives survived into British Railways ownership and were withdrawn between 1949 and 1955

Just 4 new photos in this collection
69061 Aylesbury 1960
https://tinyurl.com/mpj6pzb9

Neil.
https://tinyurl.com/mpj6pzb9