Caledonian Railway 439 Class

The Caledonian Railway 439 Class is a class of 0-4-4T steam locomotive. It was a development of earlier Caledonian Railway 0-4-4T locomotives, including the 19 Class and 92 Class, and predecessor of the 431 Class. The 439 Class was introduced by John F. McIntosh in 1900 and a modified version was introduced by William Pickersgill in 1915.

Caledonian Railway 0-4-4T
The preserved Caledonian 439 Class at Bo’ness
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerJohn F. McIntosh
Build date1895–1925
Total produced92
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte0-4-4T
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Driver dia.5 ft 9 in (1.753 m)
Loco weight53 long tons 16 cwt (120,500 lb or 54.7 t) to 59 long tons 12 cwt (133,500 lb or 60.6 t)
Fuel typeCoal
Boiler pressure180 psi (1,200 kPa)
CylindersTwo, inside
Cylinder size18 in × 26 in (457 mm × 660 mm) or 18+1⁄4 in × 26 in (464 mm × 660 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort18,680 or 19,200 lbf (83.1 or 85.4 kN)
Career
ClassCR: 439
Power class2P
DispositionOne preserved, remainder scrapped

Introduction

Ninety-two engines of the class were built between 1900 and 1925, a few under LMS auspices. Seventy-four Class 439s passed into British Railways ownership in 1948 and they were numbered 55159-55236 (with gaps).

Earlier versions

The 19 and 92 Classes were originally fitted with condensing apparatus for use on Glasgow Central Low Level lines. Twenty-four of them passed into British Railways ownership and they were numbered 55119-55146 (with gaps).

Later versions

In 1922 Pickersgill introduced the 431 Class with larger cylinders and cast-iron front buffer beam for banking. The idea was, presumably, to move the centre of gravity forwards and put more weight on the driving wheels. However, it seems strange to use a large-wheeled 0-4-4T (rather than a small-wheeled 0-6-0T) for banking. The 431 Class was numbered 431–434 by the Caledonian, 15237–15240 by the LMS, and 55237–55240 by British Railways.

In 1925 the LMS introduced their own version of the 439 Class and these were numbered 55260-55269 by British Railways.

In the 431 and LMS classes, the cylinder bore was increased to 18¼" and this increased the tractive effort to 19,200 lbf (85,000 N).

Preservation
Caledonian Railway 419

One example, CR 419, (later LMS number 15189, BR 55189) has been preserved and is the flagship locomotive of the Scottish Railway Preservation Society.[1]

See also

References
  1. "0-4-4T Caledonian Railway, 439 Class No. 419 (BR No.55189)". The Scottish Railway Preservation Society. Retrieved 24 January 2021.

Sources
  • Ian Allan ABC of British Railways Locomotives, 1948 edition, part 3, pages 45-46 and 1961 edition, part 3, page 54
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