The Manson D48 (GNSR Class G) 4-4-0 Locomotives

The Class G (LNER D48) locomotives were designed by Manson for the GNSR's 1881 build programme. They were finally ordered in 1885, and built by Kitson & Co. in the same year. The Class G engines were essentially a goods version of the Class A (LNER D44) locomotives and they were included in the same build programme. The D48s were fitted with 5ft 6in driving wheels, whilst the D44 were fitted with 6ft 0in driving wheels.

The D44s and D48s were both re-boilered at the same time between 1905 and 1912. The new boilers had a slightly larger diameter. The boilers for Nos. 69 & 70 were built by the Yorkshire Engine Co., but the boiler for No. 71 was built at Inverurie.

In common with most of the GNSR 4-4-0s of the period, the D48s were built with Ramsbottom safety valves with seat casings. The GNSR eventually replaced the seat casings with tall casings. Displacement lubricators were initially fitted, but the LNER replaced these with Detroit sight feed lubricators. This brought the D48s inline with the other GNSR 4-4-0s which had already received Detroit sight feed lubricators.

The three D48s were mainly used on goods and fish trains over the Buchan section. They were also used on passenger services on both the main line and various branches. By Grouping (1923), Nos. 6869 was allocated to Kittybrewster; No. 6870 was allocated to Kittybrewster's sub-shed at Macduff; and No. 6871 was allocated to Keith to work the Banff branch to Tillynaught. The LNER withdrew two of the D48s in 1928. No. 6869 (GNSR No. 69) survived six years longer as a spare engine at Kittybrewster. It was finally withdrawn in November 1934.

Technical Details

Preservation

The last D48 was withdrawn in 1934, and none have survived into preservation.

Models

I am not aware of any models of the D48 in any scale.