Maunsell U class 2-6-0
| The U class of 1928 was produced in response to the operating department's needs for a two cylindered tender engine for semi-fast and cross country services. This need had latterly been met on the Southern Railway by the 2-6-4T K class "River" tanks, though they were somewhat limited by their water capacity, and parts were already on order for more of the class. This order was instead converted to produce the U class 2-6-0, and following a series of serious derailments with the K class, culminating in the Sevenoaks accident, the decision was taken to convert the entire class to Us. A total of fifty engines was completed inclusive of the twenty K class conversions. |
| Photographed at Salisbury during the twilight years of the
Southern Railway - 1794 in June 1947.
photograph: Mike Morant collection |
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| Although originated from the K class the U class also had many parts in common with the earlier N class and their appearance was similar. The U class had six feet diameter drivers as befitting its passenger status, and a boiler pressure of 200lb psi providing a tractive effort of 23,866 lb at 85 percent of boiler pressure. The total weight of engine and tender in working condition was 102 tons 16 cwt. |
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1790 captured on shed. Location not certain but is thought to also be at
Salisbury.
photograph: Mike Morant collection |
| 1804 photographed working hard at Bickley.
photograph: Mike Morant collection |
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Engines were built or rebuilt as follows: The K class conversions were identifiable by a lower running plate leading to larger splashers, double spectacles to the cab front and cab side cutaways which extended into the curved part of the roof. They also retained their original numbers although they lost their names. |
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31799 with a rake of Maunsell coaches is seen here approaching Betchworth
with a train from Reading to Redhill on 28th August 1964. 31799 was one of 20
former "River" class 2-6-4Ts rebuilt as 2-6-0 tender locomotives in
1928, following the Sevenoaks accident.
photograph by Keith Harwood |
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This page was last updated 4 July 2004
