The Pollitt F2 (GCR Class 9G) 2-4-2T Locomotives

Pollitt based his GCR Class 9G (LNER F2) 2-4-2T suburban tank design on the existing F1 2-4-2T design of Parker's. The Joy valve gear was replaced with Stephenson valve gear, and the cylinder stroke was increase to 26in (from 24in). Also, the F2s had Belpaire boilers fitted from new. Only one batch of ten F2s were built, with the complete batch being completed in 1898 by Beyer, Peacock & Co. As with the F1s, the GCR No. 2 Standard boiler was fitted to all members of the class between 1909 and 1916.

During the 1930s, the F2s were gradually being replaced by larger locomotives. Hence, four were converted to operate push-pull trains using the LNER vacuum mechanism. These locomotives operated services in East Anglia.

Generally the F2s operated over a wider range than the F1s, although they also operated services in the Manchester area, especially when they were still new. Occasionally during the 1930s, they deputised for Clayton and Sentinel railcar services in the Yorkshire and East Anglia areas.

Withdrawals started in 1947, and the last two withdrawals were in 1950. These last two locomotives operated trains on the Alexandra Palace branch out of Kings Cross.

Technical Details

Preservation

The last F2s were withdrawn in 1950, and none survived into preservation.

Models

I am not aware of any models of the F2s in any scale.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Malcolm Peirson for the photograph of F2 No. 7105 at Newstead in 1946.