GCR Class 5A

The GCR Class 5A was a class of seven 0-6-0T steams designed by John G. Robinson for work in docks operated by the Great Central Railway.^[1] They passed to the London and North Eastern Railway at the grouping in 1923 and received the LNER classification J63.

GCR Class 5A LNER Class J63
No. 8208 at Immingham engine shed in 1947
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer John G. Robinson Build date 1906–1914 Total produced 7
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-6-0T  • UIC C n2t Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Driver dia. 3 ft 6 in (1.067 m) Wheelbase 12 ft 0 in (3.66 m) Length 26 ft 11.5 in (8.22 m) over buffers Loco weight 37 long tons 9 cwt (83,900 lb or 38.1 t) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 1 long ton 10 cwt (3,400 lb or 1.5 t) Water cap. 950 imp gal (4,320 L; 1,140 US gal) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 11.43 sq ft (1.062 m2) Boiler pressure 150 psi (1.03 MPa) Heating surface 590 sq ft (55 m2) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 13 in × 20 in (330 mm × 508 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 10,260 lbf (45.64 kN)
Career Operators Great Central Railway → London and North Eastern Railway → British Railways Class GCR: 5A LNER: J63 Number in class 7 Nicknames Dock Tanks Locale Immingham & Mersey Docks Delivered 1906-1914 Withdrawn 1953–1957 Disposition All scrapped

History

The class was introduced in 1906 as a replacement for the GCR Class 4 dock shunters, based on his predecessor's GCR Class 5 but with side tanks rather than saddle tanks. A seventh locomotive was built in 1914.

All seven examples survived into British Railways ownership in 1948, at least one being at Immingham in 1952,^[2] and at least one at Connah's Quay in 1954.^[3] They were all withdrawn between 1953 and 1957.