SR Lord Nelson class

SR Lord Nelson class[1]
851 Sir Francis Drake
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Richard Maunsell Builder SR Eastleigh Works Build date 1926–1929 Total produced 16
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-6-0  • UIC 2′C h4 Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Leading dia. 3 ft 1 in (0.940 m) Driver dia. 6 ft 7 in (2.007 m) 6 ft 3 in (1.905 m) (one-off modification on E859) Length 69 ft 9+3⁄4 in (21.3 m) Loco weight 83 long tons 10 cwt (187,000 lb or 84.8 t) Tender weight 57 long tons 19 cwt (129,800 lb or 58.9 t) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 5 long tons 0 cwt (11,200 lb or 5.1 t) (5.6 short tons) Water cap. 5,000 imp gal (23,000 L; 6,000 US gal) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 33 sq ft (3.1 m2) Boiler pressure 220 lbf/in2 (1.52 MPa) Cylinders Four Cylinder size 16+1⁄2 in × 26 in (419 mm × 660 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 33,510 lbf (149.06 kN) 35,298 lbf (157.01 kN) (E859 w/6 ft 3 in. driving wheels)
Career Operators Southern Railway → British Railways Power class BR: 7P Numbers SR:850-865, BR:30850-30865 Locale Great Britain Withdrawn 1961–1962 Preserved 850 Lord Nelson Disposition One preserved, remainder scrapped

The SR class LN or Lord Nelson class is a type of 4-cylinder 4-6-0 steam locomotive designed for the Southern Railway by Richard Maunsell in 1926. They were intended for Continental boat trains between London (Victoria) and Dover harbour, but were also later used for express passenger work to the South-West of England. Sixteen of them were constructed, representing the most powerful (although not the most successful) Southern 4-6-0 design. They were all named after famous admirals.^[2]

The class continued to operate with British Railways until withdrawn during 1961 and 1962. Only one example of the class – the first engine, Lord Nelson itself – has been saved from scrapping. This has been seen running on mainline tours and preserved railways throughout Britain.