SER F class

The SER F class was a class of 4-4-0 steam locomotives of the South Eastern Railway. The class was designed by James Stirling and introduced in 1883.^[1]

SER F class
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer James Stirling Build date 1883–1898 Total produced 88
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-4-0  • UIC 2′B n2 Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Driver dia. 7 ft 0 in (2.134 m) Loco weight 42.5 long tons (43.2 t) Fuel type Coal Boiler pressure 160 lbf/in2 (1.10 MPa) Cylinders Two, Cylinder size 19 in × 26 in (483 mm × 660 mm) Valve gear Stephenson
Performance figures Tractive effort 15,195 lbf (67.6 kN)
Career Operators South Eastern Railway → South Eastern and Chatham Railway → Southern Railway Class F Number in class 1 January 1923: 12 Withdrawn 1925–1930 Disposition All scrapped

Rebuilding

The locomotives passed to the South Eastern and Chatham Railway in 1899 and 76 were rebuilt by Harry Wainwright to Class F1 between 1903 and 1919.

Numbering

Twelve unrebuilt locomotives survived into Southern Railway ownership on 1 January 1923 with random numbers between 22 and 241. All had been withdrawn by 1930.

Accidents and incidents

• On 21 March 1898, an F class locomotive was hauling a passenger train which was in a rear-end collision with another at St Johns. London due to a signalman's error. Three people were killed and twenty were injured.^[2]

References

1. Casserley, H.C. and Johnston, S.W., Locomotives at the Grouping 1, Southern Railway, page 24, Ian Allan, 1974, ISBN 0-7110-0552-4
2. Trevena, Arthur (1981). Trains in Trouble: Vol. 2. Redruth: Atlantic Books. p. 10. ISBN 0-906899-03-6.