Maunsell SECR/S.R. N & N1 class 2-6-0

The SECR N class was a type of 2-6-0 ("mogul") steam locomotive designed in 1914 by Richard Maunsell for mixed-traffic duties on the South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SECR). Built between 1917 and 1934, it was the first non-Great Western Railway (GWR) type to use and improve upon the basic design principles established by GWR Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) George Jackson Churchward. The N class was based on the GWR 4300 Class design, improved with Midland Railway concepts.

The N class was mechanically similar to the SECR K class 2-6-4 passenger tank engine, also by Maunsell. It influenced future 2-6-0 development in Britain and provided the basis for the 3 cylinder N1 class of 1922. Production was delayed by the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, and the first N class rolled out of Ashford Works in 1917, three years after design work was completed. The class replaced obsolete 0-6-0s as part of the SECR's fleet standardisation, as they used parts interchangeable with those of other classes.

Eighty N class locomotives were built in three batches between the First and Second World Wars. Fifty were assembled from kits of parts made at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, giving rise to the nickname of "Woolworths". They worked over most of the Southern Railway (SR) network, and were used by the Southern Region of British Railways (BR) until the last was withdrawn in 1966


Large collection of nearly 150 photos starting in S.R. era


N Class


S.R. Era


1811


https://railway-photography.smugmug...d-later-SR-Richard-Maunsell-N-Class/i-gZ7m3r9



to 1864



https://railway-photography.smugmug...d-later-SR-Richard-Maunsell-N-Class/i-WHz2FRJ



B.R. era



31400 Guildford



https://railway-photography.smugmug...d-later-SR-Richard-Maunsell-N-Class/i-z6BgFkZ



through 8 pages to 31862



https://railway-photography.smugmug...d-later-SR-Richard-Maunsell-N-Class/i-MxmR526



and finishing with



31875



https://railway-photography.smugmug...d-later-SR-Richard-Maunsell-N-Class/i-xvVnGnG



The N1 prototype was the result of modifications made to N class No. 822 during construction in 1922. The locomotive became operational in 1923 and used parts interchangeable with other Maunsell locomotive classes. The prototype N1 was the only member of the class constructed before the SECR became part of the Southern Railway at the Grouping in 1923, and featured a variant of the Gresley conjugated valve gear designed by Harold Holcroft. The class set the precedent for the Southern Railway's subsequent 3-cylinder designs.

The N1s compared favourably with the N class, although the type showed little improvement in performance. More of the class were built when it became clear that the type's smaller cylinders provided greater route availability.[3] A total of six engines were built. The N1 class was primarily used on the Eastern section of the Southern Railway network, and used by the Southern Region of British Railways (BR) from 1948. The N1s gave valuable service until they were withdrawn in 1962


Just 4 photos in this collection


Starting with 31877


https://railway-photography.smugmug...ard-Maunsell/Maunsell-SECR-N1-class/i-TPNd7Cw





Neil

 

hi Neil,

A few more gaps in locations hopefully filled in

27/149 31407 Ashford Kent
33/149 31408 Guildford
73/149 31815 Guildford
106/149 31834 Exeter ST Davids
128/149 31858 Basingstoke
142/149 31872 Not Eastleigh, Reading SR with GWR signals and goods shed in background?
144/149 31873 Basingstoke

Cheers, Neil

 

And a few more locations from me Neil:-

81/149 31820 Redhill
94/149 31827 Redhill shed
109/149 31835+31843 Salisbury shed ( with the cathedral in the background)
139/149 31864 Guildford shed coal stage

I particularly like 147/149 showing the now preserved 31874 running into Hailsham with a Cuckoo Line freight.

Please keep them coming

Peter

 

Thanks Peter, being from up North a lot of these locations are unknown to me

Neil

 

Thanks again Neil being from up North a lot of these locations are unknown to me

Neil​