LNER Thompson Class O1

LNER Thompson Class O1
No. 63786, rebuilt from ex-GC Class O4 No. 6515 at Killamarsh 1963
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Designer Edward Thompson
Rebuilder LNER
Rebuild date 1944–49
Number rebuilt 58
Specifications
Configuration:
 ​
 • Whyte 2-8-0
 • UIC 1'D
Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Driver dia. 4 ft 8 in (1.422 m)
Loco weight 73.3 long tons (74.5 t; 82.1 short tons)
Fuel type Coal
Boiler pressure 225 psi (1.55 MPa)
Cylinders Two, outside
Cylinder size 20 in × 26 in (508 mm × 660 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort 35,520 lbf (158.0 kN)
Career
Class London and North Eastern Railway
British Railways
Power class 8F
Axle load class Route Availability 6
Locale
Withdrawn 1962–1965
Disposition All scrapped

The London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) Thompson Class O1 was a class of 2-8-0 steam locomotive designed by Edward Thompson for freight work. None have survived to preservation.

Construction

Because of wartime restrictions on new-build locomotives, they were rebuilds of LNER Class O4 "ROD" 2-8-0s built before and during World War I, although most of the locomotive was replaced during this rebuild. The first LNER rebuild took place in February 1944, at Gorton Works and a total of 58 locomotives were rebuilt to class O1 in total, with the last being locomotive 63856 in October 1949 during the early British Railways era, after which the programme was halted. The main modification to the original GCR Robinson Class 8K 2-8-0 design was the incorporation of a standard LNER 100A boiler, Walschaerts valve gear and new cylinders. The locomotives kept the same numbers those being locomotives 3571, 3575, 3578-3579, 3589-3592, 3594, 3596, 3610, 3619, 3630, 3646, 3650, 3652, 3663, 3670, 3676, 3678, 3687, 3689, 3711-3712, 3725, 3740, 3746, 3752, 3755, 3760, 3768, 3773, 3777, 3780, 3784, 3786, 3789, 3792, 3795-3796, 3803, 3806, 3808, 3817, 3838, 3854, 3856, 3863, 3865, 3867-3869, 3872, 3874, 3879, 3886-3887, 3890 and 3901.

British Railways

The locomotives passed to British Railways (BR) Eastern and North Eastern Regions on 1 January 1948 and were given BR running numbers in the range 63570-63920. However, this range included many unrebuilt O4s.

Preservation

None of the Thompson O1s have been secured for preservation.

Models

Hornby make models of the O1s in OO gauge.