NBR 141 Class

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NBR 141 Class
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
Designer Thomas Wheatley
Builder NBR, Cowlairs
Build date1869
Total produced2
Specifications
Configuration:
   Whyte 2-4-0
Gauge 4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Leading dia. 4 ft 0 in (1,220 mm)
Driver dia.6 ft 6 in (1,980 mm)
Fuel typeCoal
Water cap.1,650 imp gal (7,500 L)
Cylinders Two, inside
Cylinder size 16 in × 24 in (406 mm × 610 mm)
Career
Operators North British Railway
Class 141
Number in class2
Numbers141, 164
Withdrawn1915
Scrapped1923
DispositionAll scrapped
[1] [2] [3]

The NBR 141 Class consisted of two steam 2-4-0 locomotives built by the North British Railway (NBR) in 1869. They were the direct antecedents of the NBR 224 Class 4-4-0 . [2]

Contents

History

Thomas Wheatley became locomotive superintendent of the North British Railway (NBR) at the start of February 1867. [4] During his tenure of seven years, he provided the NBR with 185 new locomotives; [4] but only eight of these were suitable for hauling express passenger trains, the first two of which were these 2-4-0 s, nos. 141 and 164, which were built in 1869; [5] the remaining six were the 4-4-0 s of the 224 and 420 Classes, introduced in 1871 and 1873 respectively. [6]

Originally the 141 Class had leading wheels of 4 feet 0 inches (1.22 m) diameter, coupled wheels of 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) diameter, and cylinders measuring 16 by 24 inches (406 by 610 mm). The boilers were domeless, with the safety-valves mounted above the firebox. The frames were single, the driving wheel splashers had eight slots; there was no cab, but a weatherboard with two circular windows. The six-wheel tender held 1,650 imperial gallons (7,500 L) of water. They were very good locomotives, and when the cylinder diameter was increased by 1 inch (25 mm), the performance was not adversely affected. [4] [2]

Rebuilding

On the NBR, locomotives were generally rebuilt when their boilers wore out. [7] Matthew Holmes, locomotive superintendent of the NBR between 1882 and 1903, rebuilt both locomotives in 1890; amongst the improvements were a domed boiler, Westinghouse brake and a cab. [5] [1] In later years, no. 141 was used on trains between Glasgow and Dundee. [5]

Final years

Every six months, the NBR renumbered some of its older locomotives into a "duplicate list", in order to vacate numbers for new construction. [8] Accordingly, in 1912, nos. 141 and 164 were placed on the duplicate list, becoming nos. 1158/60 respectively. They were both withdrawn from service in 1915 and scrapped in 1923. [5] [2]

Summary

Original numberBuiltRebuiltRenumbered (year)Withdrawn
141186918901158 (1912)1915
164186918901160 (1912)1915

The locomotives may have been named after 1875 – it has been stated that Drummond, who replaced Wheatley in 1875, named NBR engines "including those already in service". [9]

Notes

  1. 1 2 Baxter 2012, p. 165.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Highet 1970, p. 89.
  3. SLS 1970, pp. 62–63.
  4. 1 2 3 SLS 1970, p. 62.
  5. 1 2 3 4 SLS 1970, p. 63.
  6. SLS 1970, pp. 66–67.
  7. Boddy et al. 1968, p. 8.
  8. Boddy et al. 1963, p. 28.
  9. Haresnape & Rowledge 1982, p. 15.

References