LMS Route: Trent Valley Line

LMS Route: Nuneaton to Leamington

Nuneaton Station: lnwrns1644

Ex-LNWR 2-8-0 Class E four-cylinder Compound No 1042 is seen at the head of an up freight as it leaves Nuneaton's marshalling yard circa 1920s. The Class E four-cylinder Compound had been converted from a Webb Class 0-8-0 Class B locomotive to the 2-8-0 wheel arrangement by Whale. This locomotive is also seen taking on water at Rugby shed (see image 'lnwrrm962').

The 2-8-0 design came about because the inelegant overhang and concentrated weight at the front end of the 0-8-0 Class B’s design was justifiably disliked by Mr. Webb’s successor, Mr George Whale . In 1904 he experimented by converting a Class B into a 2-8-0 by adding a pony truck (a pair of carrying wheels mounted in a swivelling frame) at the front. This was considerably more satisfactory both in visual and engineering terms. A further twenty-five were converted, the running benefiting with a bogie present to lead the long wheelbase into curves. (Courtesy LNWR Society)

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