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Great Northern (UK) class O2
London & North Eastern class O2
Great Britain | 1918
67 produced
No. 477, the first production engine
No. 477, the first production engine
Locomotive Magazine, June 1921

The GNR O2 was development of the O1, which initially differed almost only in the number and arrangement of the cylinders. Instead of the previous two cylinders, three smaller ones were now used to improve power transmission and smooth running. For the first time, Gresley used his special valve motion on these locomotives, in which the inner cylinder was controlled by levers from the valve gear of the outer cylinders. As a result, no additional motion was needed within the frame that would be difficult to access for maintenance. The dimensions of the boiler were left unchanged compared to the O1, but the starting tractive effort was increased by around nine percent thanks to the third cylinder.

British Railways No. 63942 with original GNR cab and BR logo in 1961
British Railways No. 63942 with original GNR cab and BR logo in 1961
Ben Brooksbank / LNER 2-8-0 at Doncaster Locomotive Depot fresh from repair at the Works

In 1918 only one prototype could be completed, another ten with a slightly modified valve gear were ordered in 1919 and delivered in 1921. The production engines got cylinders half an inch larger and an increase in boiler pressure from 170 to 180 psi. After the grouping in 1923, the LNER ordered another 15, which, given the smaller LNER standard loading gauge, got a flatter cab with side windows, a lower chimney and a repositioned whistle. Many of the earlier engines were also rebuilt in this form in 1939 in order to be able to use them on the entire LNER network. Another 16 were delivered in 1932 and 1933 and the last 25 in 1942 and 1943.

Schematical drawing with dimensions
Schematical drawing with dimensions
Locomotive Magazine, June 1921

At first the O2, like the O1 before it, mainly delivered coal to London. During the war, many also had to haul other cargo on behalf of the military. After the end of the war, most of them pulled coal and ore trains again, since they belonged to the group of “mineral engines” and were well suited for this. All 67 locomotives came to British Railways in 1948 and only the prototype was quickly retired due to its different valve gear. It was only in 1960 that the other engines were also retired, which was completed in 1963. Like most British goods locomotives, the O2 were all scrapped at the end of their service life.

Variantprototypeseries
General
Built19181921-1943
ManufacturerDoncaster, North British
Axle config2-8-0 (Consolidation) 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length61 ft 4 3/4 in
Wheelbase27 ft 2 in
Rigid wheelbase18 ft 6 in
Total wheelbase52 ft 2 1/4 in
Service weight171,136 lbs169,792 lbs
Adhesive weight149,184 lbs150,864 lbs
Total weight267,680 lbs266,336 lbs
Axle load38,304 lbs39,424 lbs
Water capacity5,044 us gal
Fuel capacity16,016 lbs (coal)
Boiler
Grate area27.5 sq ft
Firebox area163.5 sq ft
Tube heating area1,926.5 sq ft1,868.5 sq ft
Evaporative heating area2,090 sq ft2,032 sq ft
Superheater area431 sq ft
Total heating area2,521 sq ft2,463 sq ft
Variantprototypeseries
Power Plant
Driver diameter56 in
Boiler pressure170 psi180 psi
Expansion typesimple
Cylindersthree, 18 x 26 inthree, 18 1/2 x 26 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Estimated power1,150 hp (858 kW)1,175 hp (876 kW)
Optimal speed22 mph21 mph
Starting effort32,605 lbf36,468 lbf
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
freight
Herbert Nigel Gresley
last changed: 01/2022
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