The Rail Enthusiast thread

[rogerzilla]

Pop quiz: what was the most numerous class of locomotive to run on UK railways?

Clues:

1. It's not the one you think it is.

2. It was designed by the same man without which the internal combustion engine would be nigh-on impossible.

3. There are none left.

 

[robjh]

Pop quiz: what was the most numerous class of locomotive to run on UK railways?

Clues:

1. It's not the one you think it is.

2. It was designed by the same man without which the internal combustion engine would be nigh-on impossible.

3. There are none left.

Hmm, that's a good question.

None left, you say, so it's not the Black 5, class 47 or 57xx panier.

Before I go off and start googling, I'm going to guess at some sort of Midland Railway 0-6-0. I'll come back later and compare this with other, researched, answers.

 

[rogerzilla]

Ooh, very warm!

 

[rogerzilla]

But not Midland...

(Confession: Mr Google says it's actually the Class 08 diesel shunter but I'm talking about main line locomotives here).

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

This just appeared in my 'social media'

https://questcottages.co.uk/search/...hokAdjzV9qVkobmNtZn37JjGW9q-ko6LrelQJ_U3KQodM

 

[classic33]

But not Midland...

(Confession: Mr Google says it's actually the Class 08 diesel shunter but I'm talking about main line locomotives here).

996 built
"However, about 100 Class 08 diesel shunters still remain in regular use on the network today, mostly in industrial sidings and depot and a further 60 exist in preservation on various heritage railways and continue to shunt wagons, coaches and locos and hauling engineering trains."

http://www.docbrown.info/docspics/ArchiveSteam/lococlass08.htm

 

[Mike_P]

Not sure the question is wholly correct as if it's not any that have been mentioned surely it's a generic type, such as a Midland 0-6-0, which actually comprises a number of different classes.

 

[DCBassman]

This just appeared in my 'social media'

https://questcottages.co.uk/search/...hokAdjzV9qVkobmNtZn37JjGW9q-ko6LrelQJ_U3KQodM

There's a Toad on the Teign Valley Railway near Exeter that I've stayed in, some years back now. Great fun! The owner had a collection of odd timetables, and one edition of the Liskeard-Looe timetable. "We've got one of those! It's our sons on the cover!" He was most impressed!

 

[robjh]

But not Midland...

(Confession: Mr Google says it's actually the Class 08 diesel shunter but I'm talking about main line locomotives here).

After googling, I guess the answer - give or take the possible number of 08s - is the LNWR DX class 0-6-0, built from 1858 to 1862 and all scrapped by the 1930s.
943 built according to Wikipedia.

 

[classic33]

Not sure the question is wholly correct as if it's not any that have been mentioned surely it's a generic type, such as a Midland 0-6-0, which actually comprises a number of different classes.

LMS Fowler Class 4F, 575 built.

 

[Mike_P]

LMS Fowler Class 4F, 575 built.

and the MR version and the MR 3Fs,2Fs,1Fs... of numerous different classes

 

[classic33]

and the MR version and the MR 3Fs,2Fs,1Fs... of numerous different classes

There's a 3F on display at the K&WVR, meaning there's at least one remaining.

 

[Mike_P]

There's a 3F on display at the K&WVR, meaning there's at least one remaining.

That's a MR 4F - 192 were built by the MR with the LMS adding as you say 575 plus another five built for the SD&JR

 

[classic33]

That's a MR 4F - 192 were built by the MR with the LMS adding as you say 575 plus another five built for the SD&JR

47279 on static display at Oxenhope?

 

[rogerzilla]

Yes, LNWR DX Goods. Some of them made it to LMS days. Utterly forgotten now, along with John Ramsbottom, who also invented the metal piston ring, water trough and the first safety valve that couldn't be tampered with.