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The LSWR O2 class is a class of 0-4-4T steam locomotive designed for the London and South Western Railway by William Adams. Sixty were constructed during the late nineteenth century. They were also the last steam engines to work on the Isle of Wight, with the final two being withdrawn in 1967. One has been preserved and is operational.
Adams was presented with the problem of a greatly increasing volume of commuter traffic experienced with the suburbanisation of London during the 1880s. [2] This was exacerbated by the fact that there were few locomotive classes in the LSWR stable that could undertake commuter traffic at the desired level of efficiency. [2] The LSWR therefore required a locomotive with attributes of power and compactness, with a small wheel size to gain acceleration on intensive timetables. Adams settled upon the 0-4-4T wheel arrangement to provide the basis of what was to become the O2 Class. [2]
The second of William Adams' 0-4-4T designs, the O2 class was a development of his previous T1 class of 1888. [1] The brief behind the design was to create a locomotive capable of mixed-traffic operations, a characteristic dictated by the relatively small wheel diameter and smaller cylinders, effectively to replace the obsolete Beattie 0298 Class. [3] As a result, a compact locomotive with high route availability was produced, a factor that would be essential during the later career of the class. [3]
Production began in 1889, with the first 20 being constructed at the LSWR's Nine Elms Locomotive Works. [1] The success of the locomotive ensured that a second batch of 30 locomotives was ordered the next year. A final batch of ten was constructed by 1895. [1]
| Order | Year | Quantity | LSWR numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O2 | 1889 | 10 | 177–186 | |
| B3 | 1890 | 10 | 187–196 | |
| K3 | 1891 | 10 | 197–206 | |
| D4 | 1891 | 20 | 207–226 | |
| R6 | 1894 | 10 | 227–236 |
The class was initially used intensively on London suburban services, but began to be replaced on these as early as 1897 by the introduction of the more powerful Drummond M7 and T1 classes. [1] As a result, the O2s were cascaded to lighter services, and became distributed throughout the LSWR system, being of particular use on restricted branch lines due to their relatively low weight and short wheelbase. [3]
All of the O2s survived to be taken into Southern Railway ownership after the Grouping in 1923. They continued to be used across the former LSWR network, however, electrification and the introduction of more modern types started to make them redundant. This allowed the Southern Railway to send the first 2 spare examples across to the Isle of Wight (see below). Other redundant mainland locomotives were withdrawn, with eight going in the 1930s, and four more in the 1940s. [1] A small number (less than 10) were fitted with Push-Pull controls; One example worked the line from Lee on Solent to Fareham with a 2 coach gated push-pull set (the loco being replaced under BR with an A1X Push-Pull equipped Terrier with just the driving trailer). Another example of push pull operation working was from Guildford to Leatherhead with a 2 coach ex-LSWR Maunsell converted Lav Non-corridor Suburban Push-Pull set with initially 2 driving cabs (under BR this was reduced to the engine with a single driving trailer)
Despite the early withdrawals, a number of O2s lasted well into BR days, working various branch lines until closure began to take place in the late 1950s and early 1960s. [4] As a result, the mainland O2s became redundant and the last to go was number 30225 in 1962. [4]
The class is usually best associated with the Isle of Wight railway system, with the Isle of Wight Central Railway making enquires as to the possibility of purchasing some class members in the early twentieth century. [1] This plan fell through, however, and it was not until after Grouping in 1923 that the newly formed Southern Railway was forced to resolve the desperate locomotive power situation on the Isle of Wight. [3]
The solution to this problem presented itself when electrification of the LSWR's suburban network resulted in a cascade of newer, more powerful designs (such as the M7s and T1s) into the rural strongholds of the O2 class. [3] As a result, several O2s became surplus to mainland requirements. Two of these spare engines were modified at Eastleigh works with the addition of a Westinghouse air brakes to allow compatibility with the Isle of Wight coaching stock. These two O2s were shipped across the Solent in 1923 and trialled extensively on services across the island, particularly on the intensive Ryde–Ventnor services, which they proved highly capable of handling. Further engines were then shipped across in small batches during the 1920s and 1930s. [2]
The final two O2s were sent to the island in 1949 after nationalisation the previous year, resulting in a total of 23 locomotives on the island's lines. [3] Due to tunnel restrictions at Ventnor none of the final series of ten with the higher cab roofs were sent. [1] Thanks to their compact nature, low weight and relatively high power they proved ideal for island duties, although the lack of adequate coal bunker space initially hampered the class. Thus from 1932, a much larger extended bunker was fitted to W19 (formerly 206), and this design subsequently became the standard for all the island locomotives. [1] They handled trains of up to six bogie coaches on all the Island lines, including the 1-in-70 Apse bank from Shanklin to Wroxall.
After the withdrawal of the last LB&SCR E1 class in 1960, the O2 became the only locomotive class on the island. They survived in service until the end of steam services on the island, with an O2 operating the final train on 31 December 1966. [4]
Two examples, numbers W24 Calbourne and W31 Chale, were retained to work engineers' trains during the electrification of the surviving Ryde–Shanklin line. Both were withdrawn on completion of the electrification project in March 1967.
Initially outshopped in early LSWR passenger Yellow Ochre/Brown livery with the initials 'LSW' on the water tank sides. [2] This was eventually superseded by the later LSWR Passenger Sage Green livery, with black edging and black and white lining. [3] Numbering was in gilt, as was the 'LSWR' lettering on the water tank side. [3]
Only a solitary mainland locomotive ever carried a name in service: Number 185 Alexandra [5] for a short period between 1890 and 1896. [3]
In Southern Railway days, the O2s were painted in Maunsell lined Olive Green and then subsequently Bulleid Malachite Green with Sunshine lettering. The LSWR numbers were retained by the Southern Railway, with mainland locomotives allocated numbers in the series between 177 and 236.
Locomotives on the Isle of Wight were renumbered in a separate sequence with the prefix "W" and taking the next available number, or the number of the withdrawn locomotive they were sent over to replace. Eventually, those on the island occupied the entire sequence between W14 and W36. [3] All the O2s allocated to the Isle of Wight were named after places on the island. [6]
The class was given the Power Classification of 0P, and initially carried the Southern livery with the addition of 'British Railways' on the water tank sides, though this was promptly changed to the BR Standard Mixed-Traffic Black livery with red and white lining. [4]
The Isle of Wight's unique numbering system was retained on the BR examples on the island, along with the names. [4]
The mainland complement were renumbered by the addition of 30000 to their existing Southern Railway numbers to give a new number in the 30177 to 30236 sequence. [4]
The two Isle of Wight locomotives, W24 and W31, were used on engineering trains survived long enough for preservation attempts to be made. However, the attempt to preserve W31 Chale failed and it was scrapped in 1967. [7] W24 Calbourne was bought by the Wight Locomotive Society, which in 1971 moved its headquarters to Havenstreet and became the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Calbourne was restored to operating condition, re-entering service in 1992, and had a further overhaul in 2010, hauling tourist trains over the line between Smallbrook Junction and Wootton. A further overhaul began in 2019 and was completed in 2021 for the locomotive's 130th anniversary and the railway's 50th. [8]
Calbourne is the sole survivor of the O2 locomotives; the rest of the class were scrapped.
| Year | Quantity in service at start of year | Quantity withdrawn | Locomotive numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1933 | 60 | 6 | 189, 191, 194, 222, 227, 235 | |
| 1937 | 54 | 2 | 196, 234 | |
| 1940 | 52 | 2 | 185, 214 | |
| 1943 | 50 | 1 | 228 | |
| 1945 | 49 | 1 | 187 | |
| 1953 | 48 | 5 | 30197, 30204, 30213, 30221, 30231 | |
| 1955 | 43 | 4 | 30203, W19, W23, W34 | |
| 1956 | 39 | 2 | 30230, W15 | |
| 1957 | 37 | 2 | 30207, 30216 | |
| 1958 | 35 | 2 | 30224, 30233 | |
| 1959 | 33 | 4 | 30177, 30179, 30212, 30232 | |
| 1960 | 29 | 2 | 30182, 30236 | |
| 1961 | 27 | 4 | 30183, 30192, 30223, 30229 | |
| 1962 | 23 | 5 | 30193, 30199, 30200, 30225, W25 | |
| 1964 | 18 | 2 | W32, W36 | |
| 1965 | 16 | 2 | W18, W30 | |
| 1966 | 14 | 12 | W14, W16, W17, W20–W22, W26–W29, W33, W35 | |
| 1967 | 2 | 2 | W24, W31 |
DJ Models has produced OO gauge ready-to-run models of the O2 class in both mainland and IOW variants. [9] For O gauge, a 7mm brass kit of the O2 is produced by Connoisseur Models, both mainland and Isle of Wight versions are covered. Roxey Models have a 7mm white metal kit with nickel silver chassis; mainland and IOW versions are covered.
The Southern Railway (SR), sometimes shortened to 'Southern', was a British railway company established in the 1923 Grouping. It linked London with the Channel ports, South West England, South coast resorts and Kent. The railway was formed by the amalgamation of several smaller railway companies, the largest of which were the London and South Western Railway (LSWR), the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR) and the South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SE&CR). The construction of what was to become the Southern Railway began in 1838 with the opening of the London and Southampton Railway, which was renamed the London & South Western Railway.
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is a heritage railway on the Isle of Wight. The railway passes through 5+1⁄2 miles (9 km) of countryside from Smallbrook Junction to Wootton station, passing through the small village of Havenstreet, where the line has a station, headquarters and a depot. At Smallbrook Junction, the steam railway connects with the Island Line.
The Southern Railway took a key role in expanding the 660 V DC third rail electrified network begun by the London & South Western Railway. As a result of this, and its smaller operating area, its steam locomotive stock was the smallest of the 'Big Four' companies.
The Isle of Wight Railway was a railway company on the Isle of Wight, United Kingdom; it operated 14 miles of railway line between Ryde and Ventnor. It opened the first section of line from Ryde to Sandown in 1864, later extending to Ventnor in 1866. The Ryde station was at St Johns Road, some distance from the pier where the majority of travellers arrived. A tramway operated on the pier itself, and a street-running tramway later operated from the Pier to St Johns Road. It was not until 1880 that two mainland railways companies jointly extended the railway line to the Pier Head, and IoWR trains ran through, improving the journey arrangements.
The British Railways standard class 2 2-6-2T was a class of steam locomotive, one of the standard classes of the 1950s.
The Lymington branch line is a railway that runs from Brockenhurst to Lymington in the New Forest, England. The line is around 5.6 miles (9 km) long, and is single track throughout its length. It diverges from the South West Main Line at Lymington Junction. At Lymington Pier, trains connect with Wightlink ferry services to Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. The Lymington branch line is electrified using the 750 V DC third-rail system.
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 0-4-4 represents the wheel arrangement of no leading wheels, four powered and coupled driving wheels on two axles, and four trailing wheels on two axles. This type was only used for tank locomotives.
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The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR) A1 class is a class of British 0-6-0T steam locomotive. Designed by William Stroudley, 50 members of the class were built in 1872 and between 1874 and 1880, all at Brighton railway works. The class has received several nicknames, initially being known as "Rooters" by their south London crews. However, the engines were more famously known as "Terriers" on account of the distinctive 'bark' of the exhaust beat. Later in their careers, some engines were known as "Hayling Billy" on account of their work on the Hayling Island branch line. A pub of this name on the island was briefly home to the engine which is now No. W8 Freshwater.
The LSWR M7 class is a class of 0-4-4T passenger tank locomotive built between 1897 and 1911. The class was designed by Dugald Drummond for use on the intensive London network of the London and South Western Railway (LSWR), and performed well in such tasks. Because of their utility, 105 were built and the class went through several modifications over five production batches. For this reason there were detail variations such as frame length. Many of the class were fitted with push-pull operation gear that enabled efficient use on branch line duties without the need to change to the other end of its train at the end of a journey.
The South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SECR) H Class is a class of 0-4-4T steam locomotive originally designed for suburban passenger work, designed by Harry Wainwright in 1904. Most of the sixty-six members of the class were later equipped for push-pull working for use on rural branch lines.
The London and South Western Railway L11 class was a class of 4-4-0 steam locomotives designed for mixed traffic work. They were introduced in 1903 and were nicknamed "Large Hoppers". As with most other Drummond productions, the locomotive had two inside cylinders and Stephenson link valve gear.
William Adams was an English railway engineer. He was the Locomotive Superintendent of the North London Railway from 1858 to 1873; the Great Eastern Railway from 1873 until 1878 and the London and South Western Railway from then until his retirement in 1895. He is best known for his locomotives featuring the Adams bogie, a device with lateral centring springs to improve high-speed stability. He should not be mistaken for William Bridges Adams (1797–1872) a locomotive engineer who, confusingly, invented the Adams axle – a radial axle that William Adams incorporated in designs for the London and South Western Railway.
The LSWR 415 class is a 4-4-2T steam tank locomotive, with the trailing wheels forming the basis of its "Radial Tank" moniker. It was designed by William Adams and introduced in 1882 for service on the London and South Western Railway (LSWR).
Nine Elms Locomotive Works were built in 1839 by the London and South Western Railway (LSWR) adjoining their passenger terminus near the Vauxhall end of Nine Elms Lane, in the district of Nine Elms in the London Borough of Battersea. They were rebuilt in 1841 and remained the principal locomotive carriage and wagon workshops of the railway until closure in stages between 1891 and 1909. Thereafter a large steam motive power depot remained open on the site until 1967, serving Waterloo railway station.
The LSWR G6 class was an 0-6-0T tank locomotive designed by William Adams for the London and South Western Railway.
W24 Calbourne is an example of the Adams LSWR O2 class 0-4-4T, which is based at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. It is the sole survivor of its class.
W8 Freshwater is a Stroudley A1X Terrier class 0-6-0T steam locomotive, which is based at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
W11 Newport is a Stroudley A1X Terrier class 0-6-0T steam locomotive which is based at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.