GNR Class H2 and H3 LNER Class K1 and K2
LNER K2 4652 pulling Pullman coaches
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Nigel Gresley Builder Doncaster Works (10+20) North British Locomotive Co. (20) Kitson and Company (25) Serial number Doncaster: 1354, 1372–1380, 1425–1426, 1428–1435, 1466–1475 NBL: 21971–21990 Kitsons: 5330–5354 Build date 1912–21 Total produced K1: 10 K2: 10 rebuilt + 65 new Rebuild date 1920–1921, 1931–1937 Number rebuilt 10
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-6-0 Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Leading dia. 3 ft 2 in (0.965 m) Driver dia. 5 ft 8 in (1.727 m) Loco weight K1: 61.7 long tons (62.7 t; 69.1 short tons) K2: 64.4 long tons (65.4 t; 72.1 short tons) Fuel type Coal Firebox: ​  • Grate area K1: 24.5 sq ft (2.28 m2) K2: 24 sq ft (2.2 m2) Boiler pressure 180 psi (1.24 MPa) Cylinders Two Cylinder size 20 in × 26 in (508 mm × 660 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 23,400 lbf (104.1 kN)
Career Operators Great Northern Railway, London and North Eastern Railway, British Railways Class GNR: H2 and H3 LNER: K1 and K2 Numbers GNR: 1630–1704 LNER (1923): 4630-4704 LNER (1946): 1720–1794 BR: 61720–61794 Nicknames Ragtimers Withdrawn 1955–1962 Disposition All scrapped

The Great Northern Railway Class H2 and H3 (classified K1 and K2 by the LNER) was a class of 2-6-0 steam locomotive designed for mixed-traffic work.

The class was created as a locomotive which could haul heavier goods trains at speeds of up to 40 mph. The class were later developed into the more powerful H4 (LNER K3) class. After formation of the London and North Eastern Railway, the type became known as class K1 and K2 and was adopted as an LNER standard design. They got the nickname "Ragtimers" because of their lively nature when running at speed and their use of Walschaerts valve gear which was uncommon on the GNR at the time.^[1]

Construction

The ten K1s were built at the GNR's Doncaster Works in 1912–1913, to the design of Nigel Gresley. Five batches of K2s, also to the design of Gresley, were built at Doncaster, the North British Locomotive Company, and Kitson and Company between 1914 and 1921. These were the first design to incorporate Gresley's patented double swing link pony truck design.

Use

They were excellent mixed-traffic locomotives, but began to be displaced by the larger and stronger K3s. They were moved to former Great Eastern and North British lines to supplement existing engines. Twenty K2s were fitted with Westinghouse pumps so they could pull passenger trains from Liverpool Street on the Colchester and Cambridge lines.

Rebuilding

No. 4635 was rebuilt from K1 to K2 in 1920. No. 4631 was rebuilt in 1921. No further K1s were rebuilt until 1931, when a shortage of K1 boilers necessitated rebuilds. The remaining eight were rebuilt between 1931 and 1937, making the K1 class extinct.^[2]

Numbering

The K1s were numbered 1630–1639 by the GNR, and became LNER 4630-4639. The K2s were numbered 1640–1704 by the GNR, and became LNER 4640-4704. In the LNER's 1946 renumbering programme, the K2s were renumbered 1720–1794, and they later became British Railways 61720–61794.^[3]

Names

None of the K1s were named. However, some of the K2s based in Scotland received names in 1933–34.^[4]

Withdrawal

All K2s were withdrawn and scrapped between 1955 and 1962.^[5]