Locomotives In Detail 8: Maunsell 4-6-0 Lord Nelson Class

Needing a new class of express passenger locomotive for the Southern Railways top-link services from London to Dover and to the south west, the railways Chief Mechanical Engineer, Richard Maunsell, developed the four cylinder 4-6-0 LN class. When the first of the new type emerged from Eastleigh Works in 1926, No 850 Lord Nelson was described by the SR as the most powerful passenger engine in Britain. Restricted by the Civil Engineers department to an axle loading of no more than 21 tons, (the earlier and significantly less powerful King Arthur class had an axle loading of 20 tons 4cwt), Maunsell removed as much extraneous weight as possible with the result that the prototype locomotive ended up weighing 15cwt less than his original estimates. Following two years of testing, a further 15 locomotives were constructed at Eastleigh during 1928 and 1929. Although powerful, the Lord Nelson class was not the most successful of Maunsells designs, perhaps as a result of the much larger grate area in the firebox. Despite this, the type gave sterling service to the SR and Southern Region for more than three decades until their withdrawal by the end of 1962. This book provides a comprehensive account of the class development and the modifications undertaken to it over the years as well as its operational record. The comprehensive text is supplemented by an excellent range of both colour and mono photographs and 4mm scale line drawing. Whilst the Lord Nelson class was not constructed in large numbers, its place in the history of British steam locomotive design is assured. The class provided the increase in power required whilst still adhering to the strict weight restrictions imposed. The latest titles in our successful Locomotive in Detail will be welcomed by all students of Southern Railway locomotive history and all those who model the Southern Railway/Southern Region from the late 1920s through to the early 1960s. The other SR titles in the series are shown below. The sole survivor of the class, No 850 Lord Nelson, which is part of the National Collection, is currently in full working order and will hopefully be seen on both main line trips and heritage railways throughout 2007. This will greatly enhance interest in the class and the book.