LBSCR R Billinton E5/E5X 0-6-2T

The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway E5 Class is a class of 0-6-2Tside tank steam locomotive designed by Robert Billinton. They were introduced in 1902 and were a larger version of the E4 Class intended for semi-fast secondary passenger work.

As the weight of passenger trains continued to grow steadily during the 1890s and 1900s Robert Billinton decided to enlarge his radial tank classes still further by introducing a 5-foot-6-inch (1.676 m) wheeled version incorporating the C2 class boiler. Thirty E5 locomotives were built by Brighton Works between November 1902 and November 1904. In addition to more power and a higher top speed, they also had more fuel capacity than the E4 class.

The third of RJ Billinton's 0-6-2 radial tanks was the E5 class of 1902 which was intended for working semi-fast outer suburban and country trains. Although outwardly very similar to the E4 class they were given larger, 5' 6" driving wheels and a longer firebox than the E4. Water and coal capacities were also greater at 1,665 gallons and 3½ tons. Weighing some 60 tons in all they were the largest tank engine to date to be owned by the LB&SCR.

Most of the class of thirty engines were identical (quite a feat for the LB&SCR) although two, Farncombe and Nutbourne were subsequently fitted with different boilers made with three rings, with the safety valves on the dome, in place of the original two rings. In later years these two odd boilers were fitted to No. 399 and No. 587. One locomotive, No. 591 Tillington, worked the Grand Vitesse van trains from London Bridge to Newhaven for many years and was also the last engine to wear the yellow Brighton livery, keeping it until 1917. Of the thirty original E5s, all bar two lasted into British Railways

During 1906 some of the engines were modified by Marsh to 2-4-2T by the simple means of removing the front coupling rods but there was nothing to be gained from this and the coupling rods were replaced in 1909. The E5s were deemed to be fairly successful and locomotives achieved high mileages, but in 1911 four examples were rebuilt by D. E. Marsh with the larger C3 class boiler with 170 lb pressure, which were then re-classified as E5x. This experiment was not however a success and the performance was not greatly improved and higher centre of gravity made for rougher running at speed.

The E5s were capable of fast, steady running and one regular turn was the "Managing Directors' Train", so called from its arrival time at London Bridge of 10:48 am. Another long-forgotten E5 turn was the morning train from Chichester to Victoria via Midhurst and Pulborough. Rumour has it that this train was run expressly to please the influential inhabitants of Cowdray Park and Petworth House!

All of the class survived the transfer to Southern Railway ownership in 1923. One E5 was however withdrawn in 1936 and another in 1944 following a collision . The remainder continued in regular use following the nationalisation of the Southern Railway to become a part of British Railways in 1948. However, many of the class were now worn out and the arrival of a large number of new 2-6-4T locomotives in Southern England enabled the withdrawal of the remaining members of the class between 1949 and 1956. No examples have been preserved.
Numbering

The E5X locomotives were 32401, 32570, 32576, and 3258





Not sure what the 2 car unit is behind 2401





https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/SRSteam/LBSCR-RJ-Bilinton/LBSCR-RJ-Billinton-E5-Class/i-JKfCPcg


LB&SCR R.J. Billinton E5 Class 0-6-2T - Railway-Photography
railway-photography.smugmug.com
railway photographs from the last 100 years
591


https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/SRSteam/LBSCR-RJ-Bilinton/LBSCR-RJ-Billinton-E5-Class/i-WGNTmD9


LB&SCR R.J. Billinton E5 Class 0-6-2T - Railway-Photography
railway-photography.smugmug.com
railway photographs from the last 100 years
2570



https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/SRSteam/LBSCR-RJ-Bilinton/LBSCR-RJ-Billinton-E5-Class/i-sPkDqjn

LB&SCR R.J. Billinton E5 Class 0-6-2T - Railway-Photography
railway-photography.smugmug.com
railway photographs from the last 100 years

2573 (E5) Eastbourne June 1949+32586 (E5X)

https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/SRSteam/LBSCR-RJ-Bilinton/LBSCR-RJ-Billinton-E5-Class/i-hmFcjG3

LB&SCR R.J. Billinton E5 Class 0-6-2T - Railway-Photography
railway-photography.smugmug.com
railway photographs from the last 100 years

32571+32570

https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/SRSteam/LBSCR-RJ-Bilinton/LBSCR-RJ-Billinton-E5-Class/i-VWZt65F

LB&SCR R.J. Billinton E5 Class 0-6-2T - Railway-Photography
railway-photography.smugmug.com
railway photographs from the last 100 years

32401

https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/SRSteam/LBSCR-RJ-Bilinton/LBSCR-RJ-Billinton-E5-Class/i-t4WzqZF

LB&SCR R.J. Billinton E5 Class 0-6-2T - Railway-Photography
railway-photography.smugmug.com
railway photographs from the last 100 years
32586

https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/SRSteam/LBSCR-RJ-Bilinton/LBSCR-RJ-Billinton-E5-Class/i-4xTZbWZ

LB&SCR R.J. Billinton E5 Class 0-6-2T - Railway-Photography
railway-photography.smugmug.com
railway photographs from the last 100 years
32593


https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/SRSteam/LBSCR-RJ-Bilinton/LBSCR-RJ-Billinton-E5-Class/i-dfGb6Qt

LB&SCR R.J. Billinton E5 Class 0-6-2T - Railway-Photography
railway-photography.smugmug.com
railway photographs from the last 100 years

Neil