Drummond M7 class 0-4-4T

Dugald Drummond became Locomotive Superintendent of the LSWR in 1895 (his title changed to Chief Mechanical Engineer in 1905) and his first new class after continuing construction of some Adams designs was the M7 0-4-4T. This was derived from his NBR 157 class from 1877, which itself was an enlargement of the LBSCR D1 class. Construction commenced in 1897 and continued in batches until 1911, there being five major sets of design variants. Between 1897 and 1899 engines were built with a short overhang at the front, sandboxes combined with the front splashers, injectors, lever reverse and conical smokebox doors on 252-256. In 1900 the design was changed to have the sandboxes inside the smokebox. In 1903 a long overhang on the front end was introduced and steam reverse gear fitted. During 1904 and 1905 construction moved the sandboxes back to the front splasher and new items were feed water heating, single ram pumps and balanced crank axles. For the remainder of the construction until 1911 duplex pumps were fitted. A total of one hundred and five were finally built.

In Southern Railway days M7 Nº28 is seen on the turntable at Bournemouth.

photograph: Mike Morant collection

30053 arrives at Tunbridge Wells West with Maunsell push pull set 600.

photograph by Keith Harwood

When first introduced several of the class were allocated to work express passenger services between Exeter and Plymouth but they were withdrawn from this duty after a major derailment at Tavistock. However the class became synonymous with local main line and branch workings as well as London suburban services until this role was overtaken by electrification. When in 1912 the LSWR introduced push-pull services on some branch lines many of the class were fitted with a cable and pulley system of operation. However the Southern Railway subsequently adopted the LBSCR compressed air control system and thirty six of the class were converted to this between 1930 and 1937. Because of the extra space need to fit the compressor these conversions were confined to long framed members of the class, and a further four rather late conversions appeared between 1960 and 1962 as a result of frames being exchanged during overhaul.

30029 waits in the bay platform (Nº6) at Three Bridges with a Pull 'n' Push service for East Grinstead whilst a 4 Lav pauses in platform 3 with a stopping service from Victoria to Brighton.

photograph by Keith Harwood

30050 is seen here at Chichester on 26th August 1955.

photograph by Trevor Tupper

30245 in BR(S) days on ECS duty at Clapham Junction hauling plum & spilt milk liveried stock. Circa 1955.

photograph by Mike Morant

All photographs are copyright

First | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | Last | Data

This page was last updated 21 June 2003