The Great Eastern Railway Class S69, also known as 1500 Class, and later classified B12 by the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) is a class of 4-6-0 steam locomotive designed to haul express passenger trains from London Liverpool Street station along the Great Eastern Main Line. Originally they were designed by S. D. Holden, but were much rebuilt, resulting in several subclasses.
Background[]
At the time of their introduction, the "Claud Hamilton" 4-4-0s were becoming outclassed on the heaviest express. Although an enlarged 4-4-0 design was mooted, it was realized that any such design would have too high an axle load for the tracks of the Great Eastern Railway, which had a relatively low restriction. Another design constraint was the short turntables used at the time. This meant that a 4-6-0 design was decided upon, although the design was relatively short compared to similar designs introduced at the same time.
Accidents and incidents[]
- On 12 July 1913, locomotive No. 1506 was hauling an express passenger train which collided with GER Class T26 2-4-0 No. 471, at Colchester, Essex due to a signalman's error. Three people were killed and fourteen were injured. The brand new locomotive, only 4 months old, was so severely damaged that only its boiler and tender were salvaged. The remaining parts were cut up at Stratford Works in September of that year. A replacement locomotive was constructed, but this was allocated running number 1535 and number 1506 was not re-used.
- On 17 January 1931, locomotive No. 8578 was hauling a newspaper train that departed from Thorpe-le-Soken station, Essex against signals. It was in collision with LNER D16 4-4-0 No. 8781, which was undertaking a light engine move, at Great Holland. Two people were killed and two were seriously injured. After this accident the engine was given a general overhaul and received tender No. 20, which has originally built for the GER Decapod when it was converted to an 0-8-0 tender engine.
- On 10 February 1941, locomotive No. 8556 was hauling a passenger train that overran signals and was in a rear-end collision between Harold Wood and Brentwood, Essex. Seven people were killed and seventeen were seriously injured.
- On 2 January 1947, locomotive No. 1565 was hauling a passenger train that was run into by an express passenger train at Gidea Park, Essex. The express had overrun signals. Seven people were killed, 45 were hospitalized.
World War II Career[]
An unknown number of B12s were used towards the end of WWII to haul ambulance trains for the US Army. These trains, equipped for working on the Continent or at home, were fitted with the Westinghouse brake. B12s were selected because they had the Westinghouse brake, and were generally acceptable because their low-axle loading gave them a very high route-availability. They operated widely over the network and were fitted with a "vacuum/air proportioning valve" to allow the driver of a local pilot engine (used where double heading was necessary because of gradients) to control the brake throughout the train.
British Railways[]
At nationalization in 1948, seventy-two locomotives passed to British Railways, who renumbered them 61500–61580. Withdrawals continued, and all were gone by the end of 1961.
Preservation[]
No. 8572 (BR No. 61572) is the last surviving B12. No. 8572 was purchased by the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway Society who still own and operate it. The locomotive is usually based at the North Norfolk Railway, but occasionally visits other preserved heritage railways as well. It is the only British inside cylinder 4-6-0 to be preserved.
Models[]
A model of the B12 was brought out in OO gauge by Tri-ang Railways (now Hornby) in 1963. Models produced since 1970 feature a steam "chuff" effect, where in the tender as the wheels turn, a piece of sandpaper is scraped by a piece of metal fixed to one axle. In 2016, Hornby launched a brand new tooling of the B12 in a super detail form with LNER apple green and BR lined black with early and late crest liveries.
Gallery[]
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