Caledonian Railway 439 Class

Caledonian Railway 439 Class
File:55162 Ayr 1948.jpg 55162 at Ayr, 1948.
Type and origin Power type Steam Build date 1900-1925
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-4-4 Fuel type coal Boiler pressure 180 psi Cylinders 4 Cylinder size 18"x26"
Performance figures Tractive effort 18,680 lb

The Caledonian Railway 439 Class is a class of 0-4-4T steam locomotive. It was a development of the earlier 19 Class and 92 Class 0-4-4Ts and predecessor of the 431 Class. The 439 Class was introduced by John F. McIntosh in 1900 and a modified version was introduced by William Pickersgill in 1915.

Introduction

Ninety-two engines of the class were built between 1900 and 1925, a few under LMS auspices. Seventy-four Class 439s passed into British Railways ownership in 1948 and they were numbered 55159-55236 (with gaps).

Earlier versions

• 29 Class No details available
• 19 Class Introduced 1895
• 92 Class Introduced 1897, developed from 29 Class.

The 19 and 92 Classes were originally fitted with condensing apparatus for use on Glasgow Central Low Level lines. Twenty-four of them passed into British Railways ownership and they were numbered 55119-55146 (with gaps).

Later versions

In 1922 Pickersgill introduced the 431 Class with larger cylinders and cast-iron front buffer beam for banking. These were numbered 55237-55240 by British Railways.

In 1925 the LMS introduced their own version of the 439 Class and these were numbered 55260-55269 by British Railways.

Preservation

One, CR 419, (later LMS number 15189, BR 55189) has been preserved and is the flagship of the Scottish Railway Preservation Society.

Dimensions

The 439 Class

• LMS/BR Power classification, 2P
• Locomotive weight:
  • McIntosh locos, 53 tons 19 cwt
  • Pickersgill locos, 57 tons 12 cwt
• Boiler pressure, 180 psi
• Superheater, No
• Cylinders, 18"x26"
• Driving wheel diameter, 5' 9"
• Tractive effort, 18,680 lb
• Valve gear, Stephenson

The 19 and 92 Classes

• LMS/BR Power classification, 2P
• Locomotive weight:
  • 19 Class, 53 tons 16 cwt
  • 92 Class, 53 tons 19 cwt
• Boiler pressure, 180 psi
• Superheater, No
• Cylinders, 18"x26"
• Driving wheel diameter, 5' 9"
• Tractive effort, 18,680 lb
• Valve gear, Stephenson

The 431 and LMS Classes

• LMS/BR Power classification, 2P
• Locomotive weight:
  • 431 Class, 57 tons 17 cwt
  • LMS Class, 59 tons 12 cwt
• Boiler pressure, 180 psi
• Superheater, No
• Cylinders, 18¼"x26"
• Driving wheel diameter, 5' 9"
• Tractive effort, 19,200 lb
• Valve gear, Stephenson

See also

• Locomotives of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway

Sources

• Ian Allan ABC of British Railways Locomotives, 1948 edition, part 3, pages 45-46 and 1961 edition, part 3, page 54

External links

• Photos of 55189
• Rail UK database 439 Class