The Wilson Worsdell Class X3 (NER 190) 2-2-4T Locomotives
These two locomotives, as with the other NER 2-2-4T types (X1 and X2) were used for the haulage of inspection saloons. Both were rebuilt in 1894 from pre-existing tender locomotives.
No. 190 started life as a 2-2-2 built for the York Newcastle & Berwick Railway in 1849 by Robert Stephenson & Co. This was given a very substantial rebuild in 1881. The 1881 is often considered as a new locomotive.
No. 1679 was built by Robert Stephenson & Co. as a 4-2-0 in 1846. This was rebuilt as a 2-2-2 in 1853. It would experience two more builds in 1860 and 1881, before the final rebuilding in 1894.
Both engines had new boilers and cylinders fitted in their 1881 rebuilds. Hence, these were not replaced in the 1894 rebuilds from 2-2-2s to 2-2-4Ts. However, new boilers would eventually be required, and both of the X3s carried a number of different boilers including ones from the G6 (BTP / Bogie Tank Passenger) locomotives.
By the 1930s, the use of special locomotives for railway officials did not make economic sense. No. 1679 was withdrawn in 1931, and No. 190 was withdrawn at the end of 1936.
Technical Details
These are the technical details for the X3 at Grouping in 1923.
| Cylinders (x2): | 16x22in | |
| Motion: | Stephenson | |
| Valves: | Slide | |
| Boiler: | Max. Diameter: | 4ft 3in |
| Pressure: | 160psi | |
| Heating Surface: | Total: | 1087.8 sq.ft. |
| Firebox: | 87.8 sq.ft. | |
| Tubes: | 1000 sq.ft. (165x 2in) | |
| Grate Area: | 13.3 sq.ft. | |
| Wheels: | Leading: | 4ft |
| Driving: | 6ft 6.5in | |
| Trailing: | 3ft 1.25in | |
| Tractive Effort: | 9,760lb | (@ 85% boiler pressure) |
| Total Wheelbase: | 22ft 2.5in | |
| Length: | 32ft 7in | |
| Engine Weight: | (full) | 48 tons 6cwt |
| Coal Capacity: | 2 tons 0cwt | |
| Water Capacity: | 990 gallons | |
| Max. Axle Load: | 17 tons 12cwt |
Preservation
Neither X3 survived into preservation.
Models
I am not aware of any models of the two X3s, in any scale.