The CV&HR N18 0-6-2T Locomotive
Locomotive No. 5 was built in 1908 by Hudswell, Clarke for the Colne Valley & Halstead Railway (CV&HR). Unusually, the running plate was set high in order to clear the coupled wheels. This resulted in very deep buffer beams. Five CV&HR locomotives survived to enter LNER ownership on 1st July 1923. No. 5 was the largest and most powerful, and in relatively good condition. After an overhaul in 1924 at Stratford Works, it was renumbered 8314.
Very few alterations were made during the life of No. 5. It appears to have been built with a working pressure of 160psi, but this was reduced to 150psi before it entered LNER ownership. The boiler was never replaced, but the feed was changed to the Great Eastern (GER) method of a side feed through a clack box on either side of the boiler. A Westinghouse brake was fitted.
No. 5 was originally purchased to haul goods traffic over the CV&HR. Most of this traffic consisted of bricks from the local brickyards over the section from Halstead to Chappel. During LNER ownership, this duty was taken over by a J65 0-6-0T. No. 8314 was moved to Colchester to perform shunting duties until it was withdrawn in January 1928.
Technical Details
| Cylinders (x2): | (inside) | 16x24in. |
| Motion: | Stephenson | slide valves |
| Boiler: | Max. Diameter: | 4ft 3in |
| Pressure: | 150psi | |
| Diagram No.: | 41 | |
| Heating Surface: | Total: | 974.4 sq.ft. |
| Firebox: | 87.2 sq.ft. | |
| Tubes: | 887.2 sq.ft. (209x 1.63in) | |
| Grate Area: | 14.65 sq.ft. | |
| Wheels: | Coupled: | 4ft 6in |
| Trailing: | 3ft 8in | |
| Tractive Effort: | (@ 85% boiler pressure) | 14,705lb |
| Total Wheelbase: | 20ft | |
| Engine Weight: | (full) | 50 tons 3cwt |
| Max. Axle Load: | 14 tons 11cwt | |
| Coal Capacity: | 2 tons 10cwt | |
| Water Capacity: | 1300 gallons |
Preservation
The sole N18 did not survive into preservation, but the CV&HR has re-opened as a preserved railway!
Models
I am not aware of any models of the N18 tank engines.