Classes O/O1
| James Stirling's first design for the SER was the O Class 0-6-0 goods tender engines of 1878, the year he assumed the role of Locomotive Superintendent. These were very similar to those he had produced for the G&SWR, maintaining the domeless boilers and round-top cabs he had used previously. Initially 20 locomotives were built but by the time construction ceased in 1899 the class numbered some 122 engines. One departure from his Scottish designs was the siting of the Ramsbottom safety valves on the boiler rather than over the firebox. Initially only a screw brake was fitted but in due course vacuum brakes (and some Westinghouse brakes) were provided. 55 of the class were built by Sharp Stewart with the remainder being built at Ashford. For a while Nº297 and Nº298 were given short stovepipe chimneys for working on the Canterbury and Whitstable branch, until such time as they were replaced by Class R 0-6-0 tanks. |
| O Class NºA376 in Southern Railway days, believed to have
been photographed here at Ashford. Note the locomotive has a rectangular number
plate, presumably a hangover from SER practice.
photograph: Mike Morant collection |
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| In 1903 Wainwright started rebuilding the class with domed boilers and a squared cab. 57 were so treated by 1918, with another rebuilt by the Southern Railway in 1927. Several of the rebuilt locomotives were given tenders from the LC&DR M, M1 and M2 classes which led to a variety of water capacities within the class! The rebuilt engines had similarities to the C Class apart from the tender, and have been referred to as a 7/8 scale C. Engine Nº65 (as BR 31065) double-headed with 31592 (Bluebell's C Class 592) the last passenger train over the Hawkhurst Branch. |
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A late 1920s Southern Railway photograph of NºA65 with its
Stirling tender. This replaced an ex-M2 tender attached from September 1918
until March 1926. This and subsequent photos have oval number plates, as fitted
by the SECR and containing that company's name.
photograph: Michael Taylor collection. |
| When first preserved O1 Class Nº65 was at the embryo
Ashford Steam Centre, seen here on an open day at Easter 1970
photograph by Mike Morant |
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Another view of Nº65 at Ashford with Nº592 alongside.
Both these locomotives are today on the Bluebell Railway
photograph by Mike Morant |
All photographs are copyright
This page was last updated 31 July 2008
