Great Northern (UK) Stirling 2-4-0
Great Northern (UK) classes E3 and E1
Stirling's first locomotives for the Great Northern were the 20 2-4-0s of class 280, built in 1867 and 1868. Despite the large drivers measuring 6 feet 7 inches or 2,007 mm in diameter, they were used for passenger and mail trains, while express trains were reserved for Singles. One feature was that the driving axles were mounted in the inside frame and the leading axle in the outside frame.
From 1874 onwards, 117 more followed, which were known as class 86 and had some changes. Many of these were rebuilt to class E1 from 1897, when Ivatt succeeded Stirling. They received a larger boiler, while those that were not rebuilt were now referred to as class E3. In the 20th century they only served light trains on branch lines. 34 came to the LNER, but they were retired by 1927.
Technical data
General
| Property | 280 | 86 | rebuilt E1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built | 1867-1868 | 1874-1879 | ab 1897 |
| Manufacturers | Avonside, Yorkshire Engine Co. | Doncaster, Kitson & Co. | Doncaster |
| Wheel arrangement | 2-4-0 (Porter) | ||
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (Standard gauge) | ||
Dimensions and weights
| Property | 280 | 86 | rebuilt E1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 5.41 m | 5.46 m | |
| Empty mass | 32.8 t | ||
| Service mass | 35 t | 39.2 t | 42.2 t |
| Adhesion mass | 24.3 t | 26.3 t | |
| Rigid wheelbase | 5.41 m | 5.46 m | |
| Axle load | 12.5 t | 14 t | 15.2 t |
| Total mass | 81.3 t | ||
Boiler
| Property | 280 | 86 | rebuilt E1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grate area | 1.477 m² | 1.51 m² | |
| Firebox surface | 8.733 m² | 8.826 m² | 9.569 m² |
| Tube heating surface | 92.113 m² | 83.334 m² | 94.39 m² |
| Evaporative heating surface | 100.846 m² | 92.16 m² | 103.959 m² |
| Total heating surface | 100.8 m² | 92.2 m² | 104.0 m² |
Power plant
| Property | 280 | 86 | rebuilt E1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver diameter | 2,007 mm | ||
| Boiler pressure | 9 bar | 11.7 bar | |
| Expansion type | simple expansion | ||
| Cylinders | two, 432 x 610 mm | two, 444 x 660 mm | |
Power
| Property | 280 | 86 | rebuilt E1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power source | steam | ||
| Estimated power | 280 kW (381 PS) | 261 kW (355 PS) | 391 kW (532 PS) |
| Starting effort | 43.2 kN | 49.5 kN | 64.8 kN |
Calculated values
| Property | 280 | 86 | rebuilt E1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Factor of adhesion | 1 : 5.52 | 1 : 5.21 | |
| Optimal speed | 40 km/h | 32 km/h | 37 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 8.0 kW/t | 6.7 kW/t | 9.3 kW/t |
| Heating Surface Equivalent | 144.5 m² | 136.3 m² | 151.8 m² |
| Cylinder volume/HSE | 1 : 1,235.46 | 1 : 1,503.86 | 1 : 1,350.17 |
| Adhesive weight/Total | 1 : 1.44 | 1 : 1.49 | |
| Tractive force/Heating surface | 1 : 8.94 | 1 : 11.23 | 1 : 13.02 |
| Grate area/Heating surface | 1 : 68.28 | 1 : 62.40 | 1 : 68.85 |
| Firebox/Tube surface | 1 : 10.55 | 1 : 9.44 | 1 : 9.86 |