Maunsell N1 class 2-6-0

At the time of the grouping there were twelve ex-SECR Maunsell N class locomotives in service, with the thirteenth, A822, being built at Ashford in 1923 with a number of modifications, hence the classification 'N1'. In place of the two cylinders of the N class, the N1 class had three, two outside cylinders with Walschaerts valve gear and an inside cylinder with Holcroft valve gear. The basic appearence was very similar with the main give-away being a slab-fronted section above the buffer beam, which did nothing to enhance the lines of the locomotive, and slightly smaller outside cylinders - almost undetectable to the eye.

First in class Nº31822 at Feltham, date unknown.

photograph: Mike Morant collection

A822 was sent to Bricklayers Arms where the N1's performance could be compared with the two cylinder N class, and was found to be no real improvement. The main benefit that it did have was, through having smaller outside cylinders, the ability to work the Hastings line with its restricted width tunnels. Largely due to this additional route availability Maunsell decided in 1930 to build five more, but this time using Walschaerts valve gear on all three cylinders and, in line with these five, modifed A822 to the same specification. Low smoke deflectors were subsequently fitted, as with the N class locomotives. They rode well which made them useful for working summer Saturday relief trains to the Kent coast in the days before electrification. Following this electrification the class moved en bloc to Tonbridge where they worked through to Redhill and onto the Brighton line and other parts of the Central Section.

Bulleid made some minor alterations to them, removing the snifting valves and fitting U1 chimneys to the five 1930-built engines.

Nº31876 in the scrap line at Brighton in August 1963, some nine months after withdrawal.
Note the much deeper buffer beam when compared with the N Class.

photograph by John Bradbeer

Technical Details

Introduced: March 1923
Driving Wheel: 5 ft 6 ins
Pony Wheel: 3 ft 1 ins
Length: 57 ft 10 ins
Total Weight: 106 tons 13 cwt
Water Capacity: A822 3,500 gals / A876-80 4,000 gals
Cylinders (3): 16 in x 26 in
Boiler Pressure: 200 lb sq in
Tractive Effort: 27,695 lb
Coal Capacity: 5 tons
BR Power Classification: 4-P/5-F

First SR Number	Final SR Number	BR Number	Built	Withdrawn
A822	1822	31822	Mar 1923	Nov 1962
A876	1876	31876	Mar 1930	Nov 1962
A877	1877	31877	Apr 1930	Nov 1962
A878	1878	31878	Apr 1930	Nov 1962
A879	1879	31879	Apr 1930	Nov 1962
A880	1880	31880	Nov 1930	Nov 1962

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This page was last updated 28 May 2011