4-4-0 Class L SECR Profile and Models

4-4-0 Class L SECR

31764 at Redhill in April 1958. ©Ben Brooksbank

The SECR L class was a class of 4-4-0 steam tender locomotive built for express passenger service on the South Eastern and Chatham Railway. Although designed by Harry Wainwright, they were built during the Maunsell era. During the first years of the SECR, express passenger services were well served by Wainwright's 'D' and 'E' 4-4-0 classes; however loads continued to increase and by 1912 the designer realised that he would soon need more powerful locomotives, resulting in the L class. Wainwright's original design for the new class was for a handsome and robust locomotive which incorporated a Belpaire firebox but there were several revisions. After his departure, his assistant placed an order for 12 with Beyer Peacock. After Richard Maunsell took office in January 1914, he agreed to the ordering of a further ten with minor detail differences and Schmidt superheaters from Borsig of Berlin. The Borsig locomotives were delivered just in time before the outbreak of World War I. The locomotives were used on express trains on the South Eastern main lines from London to Dover, Ramsgate, and Hastings. They remained on these duties until the mid-1920s. The final locomotive was withdrawn in December 1961. None have been preserved.

(Information provided via Wikipedia)

Type of Locomotive

Steam

Builder

Beyer, Peacock & Co
Borsig, Berlin

Build Date

1914

Total Built

22

Tractive Effort

18,575 lbf (later 18,908 lbf)

Wheel Configuration

4-4-0

Operated By

South Eastern & Chatham Railway
Southern Railway
British Railways

Main Duties

Passenger services

In Service Until

1961

Surviving Examples

0

 

Products awaiting categorisation

Scale Brand Image Construction Type DCC Capability Product Code Product Title Livery
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) DJH Model Railway Kits K44 SR/BR class L 4-4-0 Requires assembly Not set K44
View
SR/BR class L 4-4-0 Awaiting Categorisation
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) OO Works OO-31768 SECR L Class 4-4-0 31768 in BR Black RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Not set OO-31768
View
SECR L Class 4-4-0 31768 in BR Black BR plain black
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) OO Works OO-31778 SECR L Class 4-4-0 31778 in BR Black RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Not set OO-31778
View
SECR L Class 4-4-0 31778 in BR Black Awaiting Categorisation