Invention and Engineering

GCR Class 2

The GCR Class 2 steam locomotive was derived from a Kitson (Leeds) built/Thomas Parker designed prototype 4-4-0 locomotive No. 561, (the first single frame locomotive built for the MSLR) exhibited in Manchester in 1887. The design led to the production of a series of express steam locomotives built between 1890 and 1894 for use on the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway, later the Great Central Railway. The last batch of six, built 1894, had larger bearings for the coupled wheels, coil springs (instead of leaf springs) for the driving axle and was classified 2A. When first built, the Class 2s were used on the MSLR main express trains. They regularly hauled the Manchester to King's Cross expresses to and from Grantham. Early records suggest that they were very economical locomotives during this period. These locomotives were superseded by the Pollitt D6 and Robinson D9 locomotives in 1895 and 1901 respectively and were reduced to stopping and secondary services.

Also on this shelf

See also

• ▸British Rail Class 17
• ▸Frourio Hill
• ▸China Railways SL6

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