The LNER Encyclopedia

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The GCR Class 9Q, classified B7 by the LNER, was a class of 4-6-0 mixed traffic locomotives designed by John G. Robinson for fast goods, relief passenger and excursion services on the Great Central Railway. They were a smaller wheeled version of Robinson’s earlier Class 9P "Lord Faringdon" express passenger class (LNER Class B3). The B7s had short-travel valve gear that resulted in heavy coal consumption. This quickly led to the nicknames of "Black Pigs" and "Colliers' Friends", although they were probably Robinson's most successful 4-6-0 design. Also, it should be noted that their coal consumption during LNER ownership was similar to other 4-6-0s performing similar work.
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com ... /i-xqPDWG8

Neil

Neil

First photo is GCR 8N (LNER class B6) No 53.

D

The B7 is something of a puzzle, the B6 of three years before having proved a successful design. Why the expense of two more cylinders and gear, resulting in an increased cylinder volume that would have needed full regulator opening and short cut off running most of the time for efficiency, which the gear could not deliver? That's the reason for the crew's observations on coal consumption, these had to be set at a relatively long cut off and then driven on the regulator; much as what bedevilled the Gresley A1 pacifics in their short valve travel form.

On the positive side they were by general report a class that rode significantly better than the average two cylinder freight machine of similar capability, so that benefit of four cylinders was delivered.

Darryl Tooley wrote:Neil

First photo is GCR 8N (LNER class B6) No 53.

D

Thanks Darryl, moved to correct gallery
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com ... /i-jHHn6pR

Neil

Not everybody seems to accept the authenticity, amongst railwaymen in the "heyday" of these locos, of the two mentioned nicknames for this class. Those names may originate amongst later armchair critics. "Black four cylinder" seems a less contentious term. One tabulated set of coal consumption figures that I remember seeing showed little difference between B7s, K3s and B16s on similar duties.

Funny those 'Black Pigs' grabbed my attention from looking through The Great Central Album book circa 1970.

Also from looking through said book arose my occasional interest in GCR Robinson locos that saw me going as far as buying a small enamel loco badge of a GCR 4-4-0 'Director' (Butler Henderson) that I use to wear in my jacket lapel back in the 1970/71 era.

what sort of kits are available for this class?

None in 4mm. There is one in 7mm from Gladiator if still available.