The LNER Encyclopedia

I am currently laid up and I wanted a minor project to help me fill in the time.

I always knew that the LNER had fewer surviving locomotives than any of the other “Big Four” companies but I had never seen the results quantified. So I set myself the task of finding out. I think that I still have not shaken off the old habits as a statistician in a former life.

Soon after I started I realised that this was not a straightforward task, there were many grey areas, so I had to set myself some ground rules especially about what to include and where to include it. Some other person performing the same task would probably end up with a different set of results (lies, damned lies & statistics).

To add a bit of extra interest, I grouped the locomotives into several age ranges.

So for what it is worth, I have produced a summary of my results, and indeed it shows fewer LNER and LNER constituent locomotives than any other group (except for BR Standard types). However, take a look at the variety of types (classes), this shows the data in a rather different light, maybe quality rather than quantity?

I should point out that I am still working on the data and there could be the odd discrepancy, but I am confident that the data shows a good general picture.

If anyone is interested then I can explain how I arrived at the results and the decisions I took, but for the time being I will give the summary table and let the figures speak for themselves.

PS I have attached a pdf file containing the summary data, does anyone know if it is possible to display it as part of the posting?

Solario have you enclosed the new builds complete and pending and also there is a bit of crossover as there is one 8f albeit being broken up to provide bits for a saint that was a genuine LNER loco built and used. Then theres the question of the Austerities do we class the J94 different to the industrial ones and do we include the surviving 2-8-0 and 2-10-0 versions as BR standards. Maybe a separate classification for things ex WD.

Except for the ER, the totals for all the other groups are influenced by the 200+ locos which survived at Barry. Unfortunately it wasn't just the residual scrap values that influenced which locos were bought by which scrapyards. Among other factors a charge was made for delivering the locos to the dealers, based on the distance they had to be hauled. So dealers bought from the sources closest to them, and Barry was a bit too far from the Eastern Region to make it worthwhile for Messrs. Woodhams to buy from. Only when supplies of condemned engines were almost exhausted did the profitability situation change and by then it was too late for ER locos.

Solario have you enclosed the new builds complete and pending and also there is a bit of crossover as there is one 8f albeit being broken up to provide bits for a saint that was a genuine LNER loco built and used. Then theres the question of the Austerities do we class the J94 different to the industrial ones and do we include the surviving 2-8-0 and 2-10-0 versions as BR standards. Maybe a separate classification for things ex WD.

Hi 52D,
As I mentioned, there are grey areas and the 8F, & Hunslet Austerities are to name but 2. When in doubt, I resorted to the designing company.

So I placed the 8F/O6 in with the LMS. Tragic that it has been cannibalised. However, the 3 Australian ROD 2-8-0s are in with the LNER totals because they are GCR designed. I included just 2 J94s because they were purchased by the LNER. New builds that are complete are included, when other new builds turn a wheel under their own steam then they will be added. I will post my set of ground rules and other notes in a day or two.

I think that the data should be viewed as more of a guide than a set figures that an accountant would produce because of the type of anomalies listed above.

Going back to the 8F, it has donated its boiler to the Saint, I believe. Was that same boiler built at Doncaster? I very much doubt it. All very confusing, but I think a worthwhile exercise just to get a feeling for the big picture.

I cant fault what you have done, its a pity no money could have been found to preserve the 8F as an LNER version. I take it you havent forgotten the locos on the other side of the pond and also how about taking into account the foreign locos that are domiciled here.