'Jersey Lillies'

Anticipating heavier traffic loads, the Great Central Railway (GCR) placed an order for four express passenger engines with Beyer, Peacock & Co. in 1903. For comparison purposes, two were 4-6-0s (LNER B1) and two were Atlantics of GCR Class 8B (LNER Class C4). The locomotives were as identical as possible, including the shallow firebox required on the B1 to clear the rear driving axle. As well as comparison purposes, the similarity in designs was intended to allow conversion of the C4s to 4-6-0s if required. All four engines were based on Robinson's earlier B5 4-6-0s, and featured two outside cylinders, and inside Stephenson valve gear with slide valves.
Traffic loads did not increase as significantly as expected, and when further express passenger locomotives were required, the Atlantic C4s were built rather than the larger B1 4-6-0s. A total of twenty five further C4s were built in three more batches from 1904 to 1906. These were built with deeper fireboxes due to the removal of the 4-6-0 restriction. In 1909 and 1910 the original two C4s were rebuilt with matching deep firebox boilers.
The C4s had classic Robinson looks and quickly acquired the nickname of 'Jersey Lilies' after a contemporary music hall star.

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Robinson C4 (GCR Class 8B) 4-4-2 Atlantics 'Jersey Lillies' - Railway-Photography
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Neil