# NER Class R

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Class of British 4-4-0 steam locomotives

NER Class R LNER Class D20 1907-built Class R No. 2387, at Gateshead in 1954 Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Wilson Worsdell Builder NER Gateshead Build date 1899–1907 Total produced 60 Specifications Configuration: ​ • Whyte 4-4-0 Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Leading dia. 4 ft 0 in (1.219 m) Driver dia. 6 ft 10 in (2.083 m) Wheelbase 23 ft 9 in (7.24 m) engine 12 ft 8 in (3.86 m) tender 45 ft 10+3⁄4 in (13.989 m) total Axle load 19.8 long tons (20.1 t; 22.2 short tons) Loco weight D20/1: 54.1 long tons (55.0 t; 60.6 short tons) D20/2: 55.45 long tons (56.34 t; 62.10 short tons) Tender weight 41.2 long tons (41.9 t; 46.1 short tons) Total weight D20/1: 95.3 long tons (96.8 t) D20/2: 96.65 long tons (98.20 t; 108.25 short tons) Fuel type Coal Firebox: ​ • Grate area 20 sq ft (1.9 m2) Boiler 4 ft 9 in (1.45 m) diameter Boiler pressure 200 psi (1.4 MPa) later reduced to 160 psi (1.1 MPa) Heating surface: ​ • Firebox 139 sq ft (12.9 m2) • Tubes 638.7 sq ft (59.34 m2) • Flues 292 sq ft (27.1 m2) • Total surface 1,318.7 sq ft (122.51 m2) Superheater: ​ • Heating area 204 sq ft (19.0 m2) Cylinders two inside Cylinder size 19 in × 26 in (483 mm × 660 mm) Valve gear Stephenson Performance figures Tractive effort 17,025 lbf (75.73 kN) later reduced to 15,567 lbf (69.25 kN) Career Operators North Eastern Railway, London and North Eastern Railway, British Railways Power class BR: 2P Retired 1943–1957 Disposition All scrapped

The **NER Class R** (later **LNER Class D20**) was a class of [4-4-0](/source/4-4-0) [steam locomotive](/source/Steam_locomotive) designed by [Wilson Worsdell](/source/Wilson_Worsdell) for the [North Eastern Railway](/source/North_Eastern_Railway_(UK)) (NER). Sixty locomotives were built at [Gateshead works](/source/Gateshead_works) between 1899 and 1907.[1] They proved highly successful on express passenger services and were noted for their exceptional reliability.[2] The class passed to the [London and North Eastern Railway](/source/London_and_North_Eastern_Railway) (LNER) at the [1923 Grouping](/source/Railways_Act_1921), being classified D20, and subsequently to [British Railways](/source/British_Railways) in 1948.[3] The last was withdrawn in 1957 and none were preserved.[4]

## Background

At the end of the 19th century, the [East Coast Main Line](/source/East_Coast_Main_Line) was experiencing steady traffic growth, resulting in increases in the weight of passenger trains.[5] The [Great Northern Railway](/source/Great_Northern_Railway_(Great_Britain)) (GNR), the NER's southern partner on the East Coast route, responded by introducing its first [Atlantic](/source/4-4-2_(locomotive)) locomotives ([GNR Class C1](/source/LNER_Class_C1)) from 1898.[6] In response, the NER proposed an enlarged 4-4-0 design in 1898, which resulted in Wilson Worsdell's Class R.[7]

The NER had also experimented with [4-6-0](/source/4-6-0) locomotives for express work, building the [Class S](/source/NER_Class_S) from 1899. However, these steamed poorly due to their small and shallow grates, and the 4-4-0s of Class R quickly proved superior for express passenger duties.[8]

## Design

The Class R incorporated design features that Wilson Worsdell had used on previous locomotives such as the [Class M1](/source/NER_Class_M1) (LNER D17), but also included several new developments to promote better running.[9] The cylinders were 19 inches (480 mm) in diameter with a 26 inches (660 mm) stroke.[10] [Stephenson valve gear](/source/Stephenson_valve_gear) was retained, but the locomotives were equipped with newly developed outside admission [piston valves](/source/Piston_valve_(steam_engine)) fitted below the cylinders.[9] A slide valve version was contemplated but the piston valves proved so successful that it was never built.[11]

The boiler pressure was set at 200 pounds per square inch (1,400 kPa), with the diameter increased to 4 feet 9 inches (1.45 m) and the firebox lengthened to 7 feet (2.1 m).[11] At the time of introduction, this represented the largest boiler built by the NER.[2] All of the original boilers were fitted with [Ramsbottom safety valves](/source/Ramsbottom_safety_valve) in a polished brass trumpet cover.[12] All D20 boilers built after 1916 were fitted with two Ross pop safety valves instead.[12]

The locomotives were dual-fitted with [Westinghouse](/source/Westinghouse_Air_Brake_Company) air brake cylinders for both the engine and train, and a vacuum ejector for alternative train braking.[13]

## Construction

All sixty Class R locomotives were built at Gateshead works in six batches.[14] The initial batch of ten was built in 1899, immediately followed by two further batches of ten each in 1900–1901.[15] After a gap of five years, three additional batches of ten each were built in 1906–1907.[15]

## Superheating

The final Class R to be built, No. 1235, was fitted with an experimental Sisterton [superheater](/source/Superheater) in an extended smokebox.[16] This was trialled with a [dynamometer car](/source/Dynamometer_car) in 1908 and again in April 1909, but the Sisterton design proved unsuccessful and was removed shortly afterwards.[16]

Following successful superheating trials by [Vincent Raven](/source/Vincent_Raven) on his [Class Z](/source/NER_Class_Z) (LNER C7) Atlantics, NER management accepted superheating and moved to fit it across their express locomotive fleet.[17] The D20s first received superheaters in 1912, with the majority fitted with [Schmidt](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Schmidt_superheater&action=edit&redlink=1) superheaters, though seven received [Robinson superheaters](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Robinson_superheater&action=edit&redlink=1) instead.[12] Only two locomotives remained unsuperheated at the 1923 Grouping; these were eventually superheated in 1925 and 1929.[12] From 1930, the LNER-standard Robinson superheaters became the norm for replacements.[13] The fitting of superheaters required the smokebox to be extended by approximately 1 foot (0.30 m).[18]

It was standard NER practice to reduce boiler pressure when fitting a superheater; accordingly, the working pressure was reduced to 160 pounds per square inch (1,100 kPa).[19]

## Service

### NER and early LNER

The Class R proved to be a great success on express passenger services and were noted for their reliability.[2] The first locomotive, No. 2011, was put to work on a demanding double schedule with two crews, working from [Newcastle](/source/Newcastle_upon_Tyne) to [Edinburgh](/source/Edinburgh) and [Leeds](/source/Leeds) every day for six days a week.[20] This was maintained with hardly any breaks for two years. No. 2011 accumulated 284,182 miles by the time it received its first general overhaul in March 1903.[20] The remainder of the first batch was operated by single crews but still averaged 163,000 miles before their first general overhauls.[20]

During this early period, the D20s operated the main express passenger services between York, Leeds, Newcastle, and Edinburgh.[8] After 1903, they shared these services with the [Class V](/source/NER_Class_V) (LNER C6) Atlantics.[21] When further locomotives were required in 1906, the NER chose to build more D20s rather than the more recent C6 design, a testament to the class's capabilities.[22]

By the 1923 Grouping, the [Raven C7](/source/NER_Class_Z) Atlantics were working most of the main express services on the NER network, but 54 D20s remained allocated to main line sheds.[23] During 1924 and 1925, D20s were occasionally seen in the southern sections of the LNER network, hauling excursions to the [British Empire Exhibition](/source/British_Empire_Exhibition) via [Kings Cross](/source/London_King's_Cross_railway_station).[23]

### Decline

The class saw two significant reductions in status during the 1920s.[24] The first came with the widespread introduction of [Gresley A1 Pacifics](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=LNER_Class_A1_(1922)&action=edit&redlink=1), which displaced the C7 Atlantics from their express duties to lesser main line services then occupied by the D20s.[24] This was followed by the introduction of the [Gresley D49 Hunt/Shire](/source/LNER_Class_D49) 4-4-0s.[24] These changes led to widespread movement of the D20s away from main line sheds to secondary duties.[24]

By 1935, the D20s were allocated at York (10), Starbeck (8), Tweedmouth (6), Darlington (5), West Hartlepool (4), Scarborough (4), Heaton (3), Gateshead (3), Neville Hill (3), Selby (2), Botanic Gardens Hull (1), Blaydon (1), and Stockton (1).[24]

## Modifications and rebuilding

Rather than withdrawing the ageing class, the LNER decided to modernise these capable locomotives.[13] The boiler design was modified in 1934–1935 to use a single plate barrel instead of the original three-ring design, with sixteen extra tubes added to the boiler, providing an additional 87 square feet (8.1 m2) of heating surface.[13]

No. 2020 became the first D20 to receive more extensive modifications in 1936.[25] The piston valves were moved above the cylinders and increased in size to 10 inches (250 mm) diameter, while the valve travel was increased to 6 inches (150 mm).[13] No. 2020 was also converted to left-hand drive and had its Westinghouse pump removed.[13] These rebuilt locomotives were classified D20/2, while the unrebuilt locomotives were reclassified D20/1.[3]

The modification programme stalled until [Edward Thompson](/source/Edward_Thompson_(engineer)) became the LNER's [Chief Mechanical Engineer](/source/Chief_Mechanical_Engineer) in 1941.[15] Only three D20/2s were completed in total.[15]

## Numbering

At the 1923 Grouping, the sixty Class R locomotives were classified D20 by the LNER.[3] Forty-six D20/1 and three D20/2 locomotives passed to [British Railways](/source/British_Railways) in 1948 and were numbered 62340–62397 (with gaps).[26]

## Withdrawal

The first D20 was withdrawn in 1943.[27] By the time of nationalisation in 1948, 49 locomotives remained in service.[26] The final allocations included Starbeck (10), Selby (9), Alnmouth (7), Botanic Gardens (5), Tweedmouth (3), Blaydon (3), Northallerton (3), West Hartlepool (3), Bridlington (3), Stockton (2), Duns (1), and York (1).[27] The last D20 was withdrawn in 1957 and none were preserved.[4]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHoole197953–72_1-0)** [Hoole 1979](#CITEREFHoole1979), pp. 53–72.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTENock1954119_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTENock1954119_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTENock1954119_2-2) [Nock 1954](#CITEREFNock1954), p. 119.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19661_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19661_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19661_3-2) [Fry 1966](#CITEREFFry1966), p. 1.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry196610_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry196610_4-1) [Fry 1966](#CITEREFFry1966), p. 10.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTENock1954117–118_5-0)** [Nock 1954](#CITEREFNock1954), pp. 117–118.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTENock1954118_6-0)** [Nock 1954](#CITEREFNock1954), p. 118.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHoole197953_7-0)** [Hoole 1979](#CITEREFHoole1979), p. 53.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTENock1954120_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTENock1954120_8-1) [Nock 1954](#CITEREFNock1954), p. 120.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHoole197954_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHoole197954_9-1) [Hoole 1979](#CITEREFHoole1979), p. 54.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19662_10-0)** [Fry 1966](#CITEREFFry1966), p. 2.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHoole197955_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHoole197955_11-1) [Hoole 1979](#CITEREFHoole1979), p. 55.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19664_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19664_12-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19664_12-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19664_12-3) [Fry 1966](#CITEREFFry1966), p. 4.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19665_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19665_13-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19665_13-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19665_13-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19665_13-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19665_13-5) [Fry 1966](#CITEREFFry1966), p. 5.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHoole197956_14-0)** [Hoole 1979](#CITEREFHoole1979), p. 56.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19666_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19666_15-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19666_15-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19666_15-3) [Fry 1966](#CITEREFFry1966), p. 6.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHoole197958_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHoole197958_16-1) [Hoole 1979](#CITEREFHoole1979), p. 58.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTENock1954142_17-0)** [Nock 1954](#CITEREFNock1954), p. 142.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHoole197959_18-0)** [Hoole 1979](#CITEREFHoole1979), p. 59.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19663_19-0)** [Fry 1966](#CITEREFFry1966), p. 3.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHoole197960_20-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHoole197960_20-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHoole197960_20-2) [Hoole 1979](#CITEREFHoole1979), p. 60.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHoole197961_21-0)** [Hoole 1979](#CITEREFHoole1979), p. 61.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTENock1954121_22-0)** [Nock 1954](#CITEREFNock1954), p. 121.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19667_23-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19667_23-1) [Fry 1966](#CITEREFFry1966), p. 7.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19668_24-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19668_24-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19668_24-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19668_24-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19668_24-4) [Fry 1966](#CITEREFFry1966), p. 8.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHoole197968_25-0)** [Hoole 1979](#CITEREFHoole1979), p. 68.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ABCp19_26-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ABCp19_26-1) *Ian Allan ABC of British Railways Locomotives, part 4* (1948 ed.). p. 19.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19669_27-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFry19669_27-1) [Fry 1966](#CITEREFFry1966), p. 9.

## Sources

- [Fry, E.V.](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=E._V._Fry&action=edit&redlink=1) (1966). *Locomotives of the L.N.E.R., Part 4: Tender Engines—Classes D13 to D24*. [Railway Correspondence and Travel Society](/source/Railway_Correspondence_and_Travel_Society). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [655777315](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/655777315).{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_ref_duplicates_default))

- [Hoole, Ken](/source/Ken_Hoole) (1979). *The 4-4-0 Classes of the North Eastern Railway*. [Ian Allan](/source/Ian_Allan_Publishing). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7110-0921-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7110-0921-X).{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_ref_duplicates_default))

- [Nock, O.S.](/source/O._S._Nock) (1954). *Locomotives of the North Eastern Railway*. [Ian Allan](/source/Ian_Allan_Publishing). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [2134293](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/2134293).{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_ref_duplicates_default))

## External links

- [D20/1](http://www.railuk.info/steam/getsteamclass.php?item=D20/1) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161220111639/http://www.railuk.info/steam/getsteamclass.php?item=D20/1) 20 December 2016 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) *Rail UK*

- [D20/2](http://www.railuk.info/steam/getsteamclass.php?item=D20/2) *Rail UK*

- [The W.Worsdell Class D20 (NER Class R) 4-4-0 Locomotives](https://www.lner.info/locos/D/d20.php) *LNER Encyclopedia*

v t e London and North Eastern Railway locomotives Pre-grouping railway designs Great Central A5 B1/B18 B2/B19 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 C4 C5 C13 C14 D7 D9 D10 D11 G3 J10 J11 J60 J62 J63 L1/L3 M1 N4 N5 N6 O4 O5 Q4 S1 Great Eastern B12 D13 D14 D15 D16 E4 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 G4 J14 J15 J16 J17 J18 J19 J20 J65 J66 J67 J68 J69 J70 N7 Y4 Y5 Y6 Great North of Scotland D40 D41 G10 Z4 Z5 Great Northern A1 C1 C2 C12 D2 D3 D4 J1 J3 J4 J5 J6 J7 J50 J51 J52 J53 K1 K2 K3 N1 N2 O1 O2 R1 North British C10 C11 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30 D31 D32 D33 D34 D35 D36 E7 J31 J32 J33 J34 J35 J36 J37 J81 J83 J84 J85 J86 J88 N14 N15 Y9 North Eastern A2 A6 A7 B13 B14 B15 B16 C6 C7 D17/1 D17/2 D18 D19 D20 D21 D22 D23 E5 E6 F8 G5 G6 H1 J21 J24 J25 J26 J27 J71 J72 J73 J77 N8 N9 N10 Q5 Q6 Q7 T1 X1 Y7 Y8 EB1 EE1 EF1 ES1 North Eastern (ex Hull & Barnsley) J75 N11 N12 N13 Q10 LNER designs Gresley (1923–1941) A1 A3 A4 A8 B17 C9 D49 J38 J39 J50 K4 P1 P2 U1 V1 V2 V3 V4 W1 EM1 Thompson (1941–1946) A1 A2/1 A2/2 A2/3 B1 B2 D K1 K5 L1 O1 Q1 Peppercorn (1946–1947) A1 A2 K1 Other designs D52 D53 D54 H2 J64 J94 L2 M2 O6 O7 Y1 Y3 Y10 Y11 J45/DES1 DES2 see also British Railways steam locomotives GWR locomotives LMS locomotives Southern Railway locomotives

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [NER Class R](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NER_Class_R) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NER_Class_R?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.