Power type Steam Build date 1919–1924 | Total produced 35 | |
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Builder Great Central Railway (11)Kitson & Co. (12)Armstrong Whitworth (12) | ||
The Great Central Railway Class 11F or Improved Director Class is a class of 4-4-0 steam locomotive designed by John G. Robinson for passenger work. The LNER classified them as Class D11 from 1923. They were based on the earlier GCR Class 11E "Director" class (LNER D10).
Contents
There were two subclasses: D11/1 were the original GCR engines and D11/2 were those built in 1924 by the LNER to a reduced loading gauge with smaller boiler mountings for hauling passenger trains in Scotland.
Operational career
The 11F Class was initially used on passenger work on the GCR system, including fast expresses from Sheffield Victoria to London Marylebone. Later in their careers, they were used on short distance passenger trains. On lines of the Cheshire Lines Committee during the late 1940s and early 1950s, they hauled expresses between Manchester Central and Liverpool Central; also semi-fast trains from Manchester Central via Northwich to Chester Northgate.
Their 6 ft 9 inches driving wheels made them fast locos, but consequently unsuitable for hauling freight trains. The eleven original 11F locos were withdrawn during 1959 and 1960 as diesel multiple units took over operation of the shorter distance passenger trains.
Preservation
The first member of the GCR Class 11F, No. 506 Butler-Henderson, was withdrawn from use by British Railways during 1960. It has been preserved as part of the UK National Collection and currently wears restored GCR colours. No. 506 is the only surviving GCR passenger locomotive.
The locomotive operated passenger trains on the preserved Great Central Railway in Leicestershire during the late 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s but is now out of running order and is a static exhibit. The locomotive was placed on long term loan for display at Barrow Hill Engine Shed, near Chesterfield, in 2005. As of early 2014, No. 506 Butler-Henderson was still on display at Barrowhill Roundhouse, next to British Railways Class A2 No. 60532 Blue Peter. According to the Great Central Railway Plc, it is to be exhibited at the proposed Leicester Museum (NRM Endorsed) along with LNER class V2 Green Arrow.