BR standard class 5

Infobox Locomotive
powertype = Steam
name = BR standard class 5


caption = 73086 The Green Knight on the ashpits at Nine Elms 1965. Note the hand-painted smokebox number
designer = R. A. Riddles
builder = BR Derby Works (130)
BR Doncaster Works (42)
builddate = April 1951 - June 1957
totalproduction = 172
whytetype = Whyte|4-6-0
gauge = RailGauge|sg|al=on|lk=on
leadingsize =
driversize = convert|6|ft|2|in|abbr=on|lk=on
length =
weight = convert|76.2|LT|lk=on
fueltype = Coal
fuelc

waterc

cylindercount = Two
cylindersize = convert|19|x|28|in|cm|abbr=on|lk=on
firearea =
valvegear = Caprotti (73125 - 73154)
boilerpressure = convert|225|psi|abbr=on|lk=on
tractiveeffort = convert|26120|lbf|kN|abbr=on|lk=on
powerclass= 5MTThe British Railways Standard Class 5MT 4-6-0 was one of the standard classes of steam locomotives built by British Railways in the 1950s. 172 were built, essentially being a development of the LMS black five.

Background

William Stanier's black five had been the most successful mixed-traffic type in Great Britain. Construction of the black fives had started in 1934 and continued past nationalisation to 1951. A new set of standard locomotives was to be built by British Railways, based on LMS designs and incorporating modern ideas.

In particular, the standard design incorporated features designed to make disposal easier; a self-cleaning smokebox, and a rocking grate removed the necessity for crews to undertake dirty and strenuous duties at the end of a long shift "on the road". [Terry Essery, "Steam Locomotives compared", Atlantic Transport Publishers, ISBN 0906899656]

Design and construction

The design work was done at ex-LNER works at Doncaster but the bulk of the construction was done at Derby. The locomotive featured a Type 3B boiler almost identical to the black fives'. A higher running plate and slightly enlarged driving wheels from 6' to 6' 2" and a standard cab were the most obvious visible changes.

The first of the class, 73000 was outshopped from Derby in April 1951 and 30 were in service by January 1952. There was then a gap in construction before Derby resumed building its remaining 100 engines. 42 were built at Doncaster, starting in August 1955 and finishing in May 1957 with Derby's last engine following a month later.

Thirty engines, numbers 73125 to 73154 were built with Caprotti valve gear and poppet valves.

In service

In 1959, 20 of the Southern Region locomotives were named after SR King Arthur class locos that were then being withdrawn. These were:

* 73080 "Merlin"
* 73081 "Excalibur"
* 73082 "Camelot"
* 73083 "Pendragon"
* 73084 "Tintagel"
* 73085 "Melisande"
* 73086 "The Green Knight"
* 73087 "Linette"
* 73088 "Joyous Guard"
* 73089 "Maid of Astolat"
* 73110 "The Red Knight"
* 73111 "King Uther"
* 73112 "Morgan Le Fay"
* 73113 "Lyonnesse"
* 73114 "Etarre"
* 73115 "King Pellinore"
* 73116 "Iseuit"
* 73117 "Vivien"
* 73118 "King Leodegrance"
* 73119 "Elaine"

73020 is known to have been used on Southern Region, photographed departing Southampton Terminus on 18th September 1965South Coast Railways - Portsmouth to Southampton. Vic Mitchell and Keith Smith. 1986. ISBN 0-906520-31-2] .

73022 has also been photographed in service on Southern Region, pulling a "Boat Train" across Canute Road in Southampton on 29th September 1966

73114 "Etarre" has been photographed in service on 20th March 1966, pulling a "Boat Train" through Fareham whilst diverted due to electrification work on the Southern Region mainline from Southampton to London Waterloo

A Standard Class 5MT, No. 45318, hauled the last ever steam-hauled standard-gauge regular service on British Rail; the service being the 21:25 Preston-Liverpool on Saturday, August 3rd, 1968.

Preservation

Five have survived. These are:

Notes

References

* "A Detailed History of BR Standard Steam Locomotives", - Vol 2 - The 4-6-0 and 2-6-0 Classes. RCTS ISBN 0-901115-93-2
*Henry the Green Engine.

External links

* [http://www.semgonline.com/steam/std5_01.html Southern E-group photo gallery]
* http://www.midlandrailwaycentre.co.uk/73129/page1.html Website for 73