GER Class 209

The GER Class 209 (LNER Class Y5) was a class of 0-4-0 saddle tank steam locomotives of the Great Eastern Railway. These locomotives were similar to the NBR G Class but had flat-topped, instead of round-topped, tanks. A total of eight were built – four by Neilson and Company in 1874 and four more by the GER's Stratford Works between 1897 and 1903.

GER Class 209 (LNER Class Y5)
GER Class 209 (LNER Class Y5) 0-4-0ST Service locomotive. Built at Stratford Works in 1903 as No. 230 (LNER 7230, then 8081 and BR 68081), it became the shunter for the Carriage Works at Stratford and is seen here outside Stratford Old (Locomotive) Works, 28 September 1946.
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Neilson and Company Builder Neilson and Company (4) GER Stratford Works (4) Model Neilson 12-inch Mineral Engine Build date 1874–1903 Total produced 8
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-4-0ST  • UIC B n2t Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Driver dia. 3 ft 7 in (1.09 m) Wheelbase 5 ft 9 in (1.753 m) Length 21 ft 4+1⁄2 in (6.515 m) over buffers Loco weight 21 long tons 4 cwt (47,500 lb or 21.5 t) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 0 long tons 10 cwt (1,100 lb or 0.5 t) Water cap. 470 imp gal (2,100 L; 560 US gal) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 7.01 sq ft (0.651 m2) Boiler pressure 140 psi (0.97 MPa) Heating surface 514.55 sq ft (47.803 m2) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 12 in × 20 in (305 mm × 508 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 7,970 lbf (35.45 kN)
Career Operators GER » LNER » BR Class GER: 209 LNER: Y5 Nicknames Coffee Pot Withdrawn 1911–1948 Disposition One preserved, remainder scrapped

Overview

Neilson locomotives

In order to shunt locations with tight curves and weight restrictions, two 0-4-0T locomotives were purchased from Neilson and Company to one of that company's standard designs by the GER, and this was followed by an order for a further two locomotives in 1876. In 1894–1895 these four locos were rebuilt under James Holden, the work including new boilers, steam brakes, and covered cabs. Two of these locomotives worked at Globe Road & Devonshire Street goods yards between 1874 and 1914.

Stratford locomotives

In 1897 two new locomotives were built at Stratford Works, identical to the rebuilt 209 Class, but with slightly higher bunkers, and a further two locomotives to this new design were built, also at Stratford, in 1903.

LNER ownership

Four locomotives had been withdrawn or sold before 1923. The remaining four passed into London and North Eastern Railway ownership at the grouping in 1923. Their LNER class was Y5.

Withdrawal

Two locomotives, 226 and 227 were scrapped in 1911. By 1914, number 228 was placed on the duplicate list, becoming 0228; its old number being re-used by a new Class B74 (LNER Class Y4) locomotive. Number 210 was also scrapped in 1914, and 229 was sold in 1918. Number 7209 was withdrawn in 1926. Numbers 07228 and 7230 became departmental locomotives at Stratford, with the former being withdrawn in 1927, after having been used as a stationary boiler. Number 7231 had been adapted as a tram locomotive and used at Colchester, before being withdrawn in 1931.

BR ownership

The last member of the class left in service, 7230, was renumbered 8081 in 1944; and just survived into British Railways ownership in 1948 but was scrapped early that year before it could receive its BR number.

Table of orders and numbers

Table of orders and numbers

Year	Order	Manufacturer	Quantity	GER Nos.	LNER Nos	Notes
1874	—	Neilson & Co. 1940	1	209	7209	wdn. 1926
1875	—	Neilson & Co.	1	210	—	scr. 1914
1876	—	Neilson & Co. 2118, 2119	2	228, 229	07228, —	228 wdn. 1927 229 sold 1918
1897	G40	Stratford Works	2	226, 227	—, —	both scr. 1911
1903	R55	Stratford Works	2	230, 231	7230, 7231	230 scr. 1948 231 wdn. 1931

Key

• wdn. = withdrawal date, scrapping date unknown
• scr. = scrapping date

Preservation

Number 229, preserved at North Woolwich Old Station Museum in 2006.

One locomotive, GER no. 229, was exhibited at the former North Woolwich Old Station Museum, which closed in 2008. This is the one which was sold in 1918. It was moved to a site near Lydney, Gloucestershire, as a static display awaiting restoration to working order in 2012. Now currently at the Flour Mill, undergoing restoration to working order.

Modelling

A 4 mm scale kit is available from High Level Kits. A 4 mm scale 3d Print-able body is available on Thingiverse.

See also

• Minimum railway curve radius

References

Bibliography

• Aldrich, C. Langley (1969). The Locomotives of the Great Eastern Railway 1862–1962 (7th ed.). Wickford, Essex: C. Langley Aldrich. OCLC 30278831.

External links

• No.209 — Great Eastern Railway Society
• The Y5 (GER 209) Neilson & Co 0-4-0 Shunters — LNER Encyclopedia