L&YR Class 23

L&YR Class 23
L&YR Aspinall Class 23 0-6-0ST 51524 in operation at Fleetwood Docks in August 1958
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerJohn Aspinall
Total produced230
Rebuild date1891-1900
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte0-6-0ST
 • UICC n2t
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Driver dia.4 ft 6 in (1.37 m)
Wheelbase15 ft (4.6 m)
Length31 ft 2+14 in (9.506 m)
Height12 ft 2+14 in (3.715 m)
Axle load15 long tons 3 cwt (33,900 lb or 15.4 t)
Loco weight43 long tons 17 cwt (98,200 lb or 44.6 t)
Fuel typecoal
Water cap.932 imp gal (4,240 L)
Firebox:
 • Grate area19+14 sq ft (1.79 m2)
Boiler pressure140 psi (970 kPa)
Heating surface:
 • Firebox97 sq ft (9.0 m2)
 • Tubes945 sq ft (87.8 m2)
CylindersTwo, inside
Cylinder size17+12 in × 26 in (444 mm × 660 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort17,545 lbf (78,040 N)
Career
ClassL&YR: 23
Withdrawn1926-1964
DispositionOne preserved, remainder scrapped

The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (L&YR) Class 23 is a class of 0-6-0ST steam locomotive. Their main use was for shunting and for short-trip freight working.

Construction

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The Class 23 0-6-0ST locomotives were initially built in 1876-87 by L&Y locomotive superintendent Barton Wright as a class of 280 0-6-0 tender engines. 230 of these were rebuilt as saddle tanks at Horwich Works by Aspinall between 1891 and 1900.[1]

Ownership changes

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EX-L&YR 0-6-0 saddle-tank No. 11429 at Low Moor Locomotive Depot 25 May 1947

The class was long-lived, with the first engine being withdrawn in 1926 by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway and the last surviving in use until 1964 with British Railways London Midland Region. 101 were in service at Nationalisation, 20 still in service in 1961.[1]

Preservation

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One locomotive, L&YR 752 (LMS 11456 but sold into colliery service in 1937), is preserved by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Trust, having been acquired by the NCB for continued operation and as of October 2019 could move under its own steam despite overhaul being incomplete. This progressed at the East Lancashire Railway in Bury using primarily their resources in close cooperation with the current owners of 752. The locomotive was featured on an episode of the television programme "Steam Train Britain" which showed the locomotive under rebuild.[2] Since January 2020 752 has temporarily carried the early British Railways livery as 51456 had it not been sold to industry, and featured in various events in steam before a complete public relaunch in the East Lancashire Railway Gala event on March 6 to 8 2020.

A sister locomotive, L&YR Class 25 no. 957, an 0-6-0 as built-in original tender configuration, was also bought for preservation in 1959 and has been based at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway since 1965.

References

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  1. ^ a b Casserley, H.C.; Asher, L.L. (1961) [1955]. "LMS Group 51304—51530". Locomotives of British Railways. Spring Books. pp. 72, 327.
  2. ^ Mace, Colin (19 December 2019). "Episode #1.10". Steam Train Britain. Season 1. Episode 10. UKTV Play. Yesterday.