Gresley V2

I have added a new collection featuring Gresley’s V2 2-6-2

The London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) Class V2 2-6-2 steam locomotives were designed by Sir Nigel Gresley for express mixed traffic work, and built at the LNER shops at Doncaster and Darlington between 1936–1944. The best known is the first of the class, 4771 (later 800 and 60800) Green Arrow, which is the sole survivor of the class
Construction
The V2s were the only major class of 2-6-2 tender locomotives used in Britain. Whilst 2-6-2T tank locomotives were common in the UK, the only other 2-6-2 tender locomotives were the unsuccessful experimental Midland Railway Paget locomotive of 1908, and the two examples of Gresley's LNER Class V4 of 1941. The wheel arrangement allowed the fitting of a large firebox uninhibited by the rear driving wheel, and the front pony truck improved stability at high speeds.
The V2 was derived from the Class A1/A3 pacifics with smaller driving wheels (of 6 ft 2 in or 1.880 m compared to 6 ft 8 in or 2.032 m) and a shortened boiler. It retained Gresley's favoured 3-cylinder arrangement. Unusually all 3 cylinders were part of a single 'monobloc' casting.
184 locomotives were built in 14 batches between 1936 and 1944 at Doncaster and Darlington Works, construction continuing through the Second World War as they proved their usefulness. A further four locomotives, ordered as V2s, were redesigned by Gresley's successor Edward Thompson and completed as Pacifics (LNER Thompson Class A2/1).
The V2 was a versatile locomotive, capable of hauling fast fitted freights and express passenger trains. Their relatively heavy 22 ton axle load meant their use was restricted to around 40% of the LNER's route miles. For example, they were barred from all of the former Great Eastern Railway main lines. Gresley recognised that a lighter mixed-traffic locomotive was required, and the V4 class was designed to this end. However, it was to be the versatile LNER Thompson Class B1 4-6-0 which succeeded the V2 as the LNER's standard mixed traffic locomotive, although the B1 never matched the V2's power output.
Working life
First of the initial batch for five Doncaster-built V2s was number 4771, which emerged in June 1936 and was promptly named "Green Arrow", after the express freight service for which the locomotives had been built. Successful trials with this quintet led to both Doncaster and Darlington works producing further batches. The final locomotive, number 3695, was delivered from Darlington in July 1944.
The V2 had the free steaming qualities that the LNER's operating department required. Not only were they capable of working vacuum braked freights at up to 60 mph (97 km/h), they could deputise for Pacifics on express passenger schedules. In peak condition a V2 could almost match the Pacifics for sustained high speed running. One locomotive was reliably timed at 93 mph (150 km/h) on the Yorkshire Pullman while another attained 101.5 mph (163 km/h) on a test train.
The V2s were recognised as versatile and powerful locomotives by 1939, but their reputation was more firmly established by their remarkable feats of haulage during World War II. Trains of over 20 carriages loaded to 700 long tons (710 t) proved within their abilities. On at least one occasion a single V2 hauled 26 coaches from Peterborough to London. Given this capacity for work it was not surprising that construction was allowed to continue through the war years. The V2s performed equally competently for British Railways, leaving their mark on the East Coast Main Line, the Waverley Route between Carlisle and Edinburgh and on the ex-Great Central main line between London Marylebone and Sheffield.
Significant modifications were made to the V2 class during its service life. In 1946 a series of derailments was traced to the design of the leading pony truck, which was unduly sensitive to the often poor track conditions, a legacy of heavy wartime use and lack of maintenance. Modifications to the suspension cured the problem. During the 1950s cracked monoblocs became increasingly frequent, but replacement was expensive and in 1956 the decision was taken to replace the monobloc with separate cylinder castings. Seventy-one engines were thus modified: they can be identified by the presence of external steam pipes from smokebox to cylinders. Finally, around 1960 experiments were made with fitting double chimneys to two V2s. This yielded no significant performance gain, but eight engines were subsequently fitted with Kylchap exhausts. These so-called 'Super V2s' were reckoned to be fully equal in performance to the larger Pacifics. However, plans to fit Kylchap chimneys to the remainder of the class were abandoned once it became clear that replacement with diesel locomotives was imminent.
The V2s' swansong came on the Edinburgh—Aberdeen run, working alongside the last LNER A2s and A4s. The entire class was withdrawn from service between 1962 and 1966.

This first collection features the named locos only 8 locos ever carries a name (some of the photos have the engines with nameplates removed)

All these photos were taken in the LNER era

When built, the V2s were numbered 3641–3695 and 4771–4899. Under the LNER 1946 renumbering scheme they were to be renumbered 700-883 but the range 800–983 was allocated before renumbering was completed (19 locomotives briefly carried numbers in the original range). After nationalisation in 1948, British Railways added 60000 to their numbers so they became 60800–60983. BR also gave them the power classification 6MT.

Including this photo of
872 Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
https://tinyurl.com/dtbsar8x
LNER original numbering
Starts here with
4771 Green Arrow Hadley Wood c1937
https://tinyurl.com/fkp2aakn
later LNER renumbering starts here with
800 Green Arrow up express near Potters Bar c1947
https://tinyurl.com/4wks3vpy

Neil.
https://tinyurl.com/dtbsar8x

 

8/18 = Doncaster

14/18 = New England Shed Peterborough

 

I have added a new collection of Gresley’s V2 class
This collection features the locos in the LNER era
Including this photo of
4879 entering Woodhead Tunnel 15th September 1945
https://tinyurl.com/3m9fvdz7
Original LNER number
Starts here with
4772 passing Springfield Signal box Darlington 1936
https://tinyurl.com/ybtvypr8
Final 1946 LNER number
Starts here with
714 possibly at Grantham
https://tinyurl.com/3vz4ynm5

Neil.

 

I have added a new collection featuring Gresley’s V2 design
This collection features 60800-60804 built at Doncaster in 1936, and includes the unique named Green Arrow, the only named V2 with nameplate on the side of the smokebox
All the other named ones were in the traditional place on the running plate
Including this photo of
60800 Green Arrow & A3 60059 Tracery at Kings Cross shed May 1949
https://tinyurl.com/6s6vak62
Full collection starts here with
60800 Green Arrow at York
https://tinyurl.com/m34ky5yx
and the others 60801-60804 starts here with
60802 Haymarket shed turntable
https://tinyurl.com/zzk7u2hu

Neil

 

11/17 = York Holgate Bridge

 

I have added a new collection featuring Gresley’s V2 design
This collection features 60805-60824 built Darlington 1937
And includes the following named loco
60809 The Snapper The East Yorkshire Regiment The Duke of York's Own at York with the 4.12pm Darlington too Birmingham service 7th August 1962
https://tinyurl.com/24feb7nt
60809 The Snapper The East Yorkshire Regiment The Duke of York's Own
https://tinyurl.com/zk6ramc9
nearly 60 New photos start here
with 60805
https://tinyurl.com/ypu7h73x
to 60807
https://tinyurl.com/3ep5dnpy
to 60813
https://tinyurl.com/ncmma9nj
to 60816
https://tinyurl.com/s9p26fck
to 60824
https://tinyurl.com/f5y4scds
Neil

 

32 / 78 = Heaton [duplicates Image 31]

37 / 78 = Gateshead ?

56 / 78 = Gateshead [duplicates 57 / 78]

58 / 76 = Edinburgh Waverley

59 / 78 = Princes St Gardens departing from Edinburgh Waverley

 

60 / 78 = Edinburgh Waverley [duplicates 58 / 78]

65 / 78 = Princes St gardens

70 / 78 = Haymarket ?

72 / 78 = near Stoke [duplicates 73 / 78]

78 / 78 = Dundee Tay Bridge ?

 

I have added a new collection featuring Gresley’s V2 design

This collection features 60825-60843 built Darlington 1938
And includes the following named loco
60835 The Green Howard Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment at York with the 12.20pm Glasgow to Kings Cross service 24th July 1954
https://tinyurl.com/4upy6c64
60835 The Green Howard Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment at Haymarket shed
https://tinyurl.com/5er8fe3u

collection starts here with
60825 departing Gleneagles with 73146 arriving 22nd September 1961
https://tinyurl.com/kt9nzzsz
to
60830
https://tinyurl.com/3yet3sc3
to
60835 nameplate removed
https://tinyurl.com/vmzvkhc7
to
60842
https://tinyurl.com/p3p8zar4

Neil
https://tinyurl.com/4upy6c64

 

I have added a new collection featuring Gresley’s V2 design
This collection features 60844-60856 built Darlington 1939
Which includes named loco
60847 St Peters School York A.D. 627
https://tinyurl.com/b2xuspa8
https://tinyurl.com/3msmueh8
and this colour photo of
60854 & 92154 Kings Cross shed c1963
https://tinyurl.com/m64kj3sy
over 55 new photos start here with
60844
https://tinyurl.com/253mhc7t
to 60848
https://tinyurl.com/5x436xf5
to 60851
https://tinyurl.com/y3pk82jv
to 60856
https://tinyurl.com/67thjc46

Neil

 

7 / 59 + Dundee
25 / 59 = Kings Cross ?
40 / 659 = Hawick
45 / 59 = Dundee

 

I have added a new collection featuring Gresley’s V2 design
This collection features 60857-60871 built Darlington 1939
And includes the following named loco 60860 Durham School
60860 Durham School Heaton shed 15th March 1959
https://tinyurl.com/y6jjv4sa
60860 nameplate
https://tinyurl.com/55sw2h32
The end for this sad looking loco
60867 end of the road Doncaster works 5th May 1962
https://tinyurl.com/29px83aw
Full collection starts here with
60857 at Grantham 19th July 1958
https://tinyurl.com/4upamz29
to 60862 Kings Cross shed 28th January 1962
https://tinyurl.com/vxjv7pbr
to 60868
https://tinyurl.com/bve3j6m8
to 60871 with an up Newcastle service at Peterborough North c1960
https://tinyurl.com/4h2thz5x

Neil

 

25 / 47 = Haymarket ?

35 / 47 = Gateshead ?

39 / 47 = Overton [duplicate of 37 / 47

 

I have added a new collection featuring Gresley’s V2 design
This collection features 60872-60875 Built Doncaster 1939
And includes the following 2 named locos
60872 Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry & 60873 Coldstreamer

60872 Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Doncaster
https://tinyurl.com/57de4cyh
60873 Coldstreamer at Edinburgh
https://tinyurl.com/fakyes8
Full collection start here
https://tinyurl.com/wbxu227h

Neil

 

I have added a new collection featuring Gresley’s V2 design
This collection features 60882-60891 Built 1939 Darlington
Including this photo of
60890 leaving Manchester London Road with the 2.10pm service to Marylebone 28th April 1954
https://tinyurl.com/xveptyw
Collection starts here with
60882 Craigentinny 21st September 1956
https://tinyurl.com/3938mb5d
to
60886 at York
https://tinyurl.com/3tjf8pzj
to
60891
https://tinyurl.com/49xh5tvf

Neil

 

8/32 = Grantham heading north ?

 

I have added a new collection featuring Gresley’s V2 design
This collection features 60876-60881 Built 1940 Doncaster, (colour photos by Bill Wright with permission)
Including this photo of
60876 & Peppercorn A1 60121 on York shed c1964 with a Bulleid Merchant Navy loco present on the right of the photo
https://tinyurl.com/3f75b8sz
Full collection starts here with
60876 alongside A1 60124 Kenilworth York
https://tinyurl.com/723htnsh
to
60880 Kings Cross with a parcels service for York 1962
https://tinyurl.com/2x59kdc3

Neil

 

I have added 3 new photos to the collection of collection featuring Gresley’s V2 design
This collection features 60805-60824 Built 1937 Darlington
60813 at Dundee shed 1966
https://tinyurl.com/5n7s3e22
60813 Haymarket shed September 1955
https://tinyurl.com/y293crcm
60808 on a freight train at Darlington 24th July 1964
https://tinyurl.com/2p989s4x

Neil

 

I have added 30 new photos to the collection of collection featuring Gresley’s V2 design
This collection features 60892-60900 built 1940 Darlington
Including this photo taken on a S.R. shed when deputising for temporary withdrawn Merchant Navy class locos
60896 alongside Urie/Maunsell King Arthur 30450 Sir Kay
https://tinyurl.com/2p8e6wwn
Full collection starts here with
60893 standing in for Bullied Merchant Navy class at Bournemouth with the 'Bournemouth Belle'
https://tinyurl.com/5xfajdcv
to
60895 at York
https://tinyurl.com/37e86vv2
to
60900 Dundee Esplanade 24th August 1955
https://tinyurl.com/2ah3s4yy

Neil

 

17 / 35 = Feltham

21/35 = Bournemouth

29 / 35 = Darlington ?