The W.Worsdell N10 (NER Class U) 0-6-2T Locomotives
By 1902, the North Eastern Railway (NER) required a further twenty 0-6-2T goods tank engines, and an order was placed to Darlington Works for a "tank version of the J25 0-6-0 tender locomotive". The result was a locomotive that was similar to the preceding N9s but with 4ft 7.25in wheels. These wheels were 6in smaller than the N9 wheels, but matched those of the J25 0-6-0. The side tanks and bunker were also larger than on the N9, and Westinghouse brakes were fitted as standard.
The same boiler type was used on the J21, J25, N8, and N9 locomotives. Boiler exchanges were common between these classes, but the N10s only received the saturated variants of this boiler type. With the exception of No. 9103, all of the N10s would eventually receive a Diagram 67A boiler. This had the dome moved back 1ft 9in and the safety valves moved 4in further forward. Ross pop safety valves were standard on the Diagram 67A, although one N10 kept its original Ramsbottom safety valves for a few years.
The N10s performed similar shunting and goods duties as the other NER 0-6-2Ts. By Grouping (1923), they were allocated to Alnmouth (1), Gateshead (2), Bowes Bridge (2), Blaydon (1), Sunderland (2), Neville Hill (4), Selby (1), Hull Dairycoates (7). The N10s were often used as passenger or carriage pilots during World War 2. At about this time, the N10s were first used for passenger duties and in 1942 they were recorded on local passenger services from Newcastle and Sunderland. There is some evidence to suggest that these duties were not officially sanctioned, and continuous braking equipment was being removed from a lot of N10s at about this time.
With the exception of one locomotive in 1948, the first withdrawals did not start until 1955. The last three N10s were withdrawn in early 1962.
Technical Details
| Cylinders (x2): | (inside) | 18.5x26in. |
| Motion: | Stephenson | slide valves |
| Boiler: | Max. Diameter: | 4ft 3in |
| Pressure: | 160psi | |
| Diagram No.: | 67 | |
| Heating Surface: | Total: | 1133 sq.ft. |
| Firebox: | 108 sq.ft. | |
| Tubes: | 1025 sq.ft. (205x 1.75in) | |
| Grate Area: | 17.2 sq.ft. | |
| Wheels: | Coupled: | 4ft 7.25in |
| Trailing: | 3ft 9.25in | |
| Tractive Effort: | (@ 85% boiler pressure) | 21,904lb |
| Total Wheelbase: | 22ft 6in | |
| Engine Weight: | (full) | 57 tons 14cwt |
| Max. Axle Load: | 16 tons 4cwt | |
| Coal Capacity: | 2 tons 15cwt | |
| Water Capacity: | 1500 gallons |
Preservation
The last N10 was withdrawn in 1962, and none survived into preservation.
Models
Finney and Smith produce a 3mm scale kit of the N10.
Alexander Models produce a 4mm scale kit of the N10.
Connoisseur Models produce etched kits of the N10 for O gauge (7mm scale).