No B10 or B11?
Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2024 4:59 am
The LNER 4-6-0 classes go from B1 to B9, then jumps straight to B12. Why does B10 or B11 not exist?
There were several other gaps in the system.
C3, N3, O3 (initially until the O1s were reclassified by Thompson), Q8, Q9. I've probably missed some.
It would appear the gaps were there to allow developments of similar types from the original pre-grouping companies.
So B10 & B11 followed a large group of GCR 4-6-0 types, B1-B9.
C3 followed the two GNR Atlantic classes.
N3 the GNR 0-6-2 tank engines.
O3 the original GNR 2-8-0 classes and so on.
If any follow on classes were developed they would stay in sequence, maybe.
There was a design for a developed A4 pacific with a higher pressure boiler which was effectively killed off by WW2.
It could not have been called an A5 as there was already the ex-GCR tank engine class. So would it have been designated A4/2 or A9 or A10...
Alan