The class 8 were two classes of 4-6-0 steam locomotives that were built for the Lancaster & Yorkshire Railway by Horwich Works from 1908 to 1909 and 1919 to 1925.
Service[]
The original unrebuilt locomotives were described as "poor performers" that were prone to suffering mechanical problems causing very poor reliability. By 1918 there was a case of No. 1519, not one of the better of the class, was recording coal consumption of 100 pounds per mile between Southport and York.
During the length of the National coal strike of 1912 the unrebuilt Hughes 4-6-0 class were suspended because while able to "shift anything" the amount of coal they used in process was too excessive in a time of shortage.
The rebuilt version of the locomotive has been described as "creditable but not outstanding" and comparable to the LNWR Claughton Class.
As well as former L&YR territory the rebuilt class worked the West Coast Main Line mainly between Crewe and Carlisle but increasing less frequently south to Euston as the LMS Royal Scot Class became available. The swansong was an enthusiast special excursion from Blackpool to York by what was described as an "old" locomotive on 1 July 1951.
Withdrawal[]
The relatively early withdrawal of most units must be considered in the context that the LMS inherited 393 different locomotive classes at Grouping, and LMS chairman Sir Josiah Stamp thought it desirable to reduce this to just 10 classes. Also perhaps relevant is that while Hughes became chief mechanical engineer (CME) of the LNWR following its amalgamation with the L&YR and then CME of the LMS at the grouping, with his resignation in 1925, influence moved from Horwich to Derby. In a paper presented to the Institute of Locomotive Engineers in 1946 E. S. Cox claimed that while the class were capable of some outstanding performances their "steaming, coal consumption and reliability were not outstanding" and seeming considered not suitable for general use on the Anglo Scottish as had been hoped.
Gallery[]
