NER Class M1

The North Eastern Railway Class M1 (LNER Class D17/1) is a class of 4-4-0 steam locomotive, designed by Wilson Worsdell. 20 initial engines were built, then 30 further units were built, designated Class Q (LNER Class D17/2).

NER Class M1/M, Q and Q1 LNER Class D17/1, D17/2 and D18
Preserved M1 No. 1621 in the National Railway Museum, York, September 2010
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Wilson Worsdell Builder NER Gateshead Build date 1892-1894 (Class M1) 1896-1897 (Class Q) 1896 (Class Q1) Total produced 20 (Class M1) 30 (Class Q) 2 (Class Q1)
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-4-0  • UIC 2′B n2 Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Leading dia. 3 ft 7+1⁄4 in (1,099 mm) Driver dia. 7 ft 1+1⁄4 in (2,165 mm) Wheelbase 23 ft 6 in (7.16 m) Class M1/Q engine 23 ft 9 in (7.24 m) Class Q1 engine 12 ft 8 in (3.86 m) tender 45 ft 8+1⁄4 in (13.926 m) Class M1/Q total 46 ft 2+3⁄4 in (14.091 m) Class Q1 total Length Q1 17.145 m (56.25 ft) Axle load M1: 18.6 long tons (18.9 t) Q: 18.8 long tons (19.1 t) Q1: 19.2 long tons (19.5 t) Loco weight 52.5 long tons (53.3 t) (Class M1) 50.3 long tons (51.1 t) (Class Q) 53.5 long tons (54.4 t) (Class Q1) Tender weight 41.2 long tons (41.9 t) Total weight 93.7 long tons (95.2 t) (Class M1) 91.5 long tons (93.0 t) (Class Q) 94.7 long tons (96.2 t) (Class Q1) Fuel type Coal Water cap. 4,125 imp gal (18,750 L; 4,954 US gal) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 19.8 sq ft (1.84 m2) Boiler 4 ft 4 in (1.32 m) diameter Boiler pressure 160 psi (1.10 MPa) Heating surface: ​  • Firebox 123 sq ft (11.4 m2)  • Tubes 479 sq ft (44.5 m2)  • Flues 291 sq ft (27.0 m2)  • Total surface 1,097 sq ft (101.9 m2) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 204 sq ft (19.0 m2) Cylinders Two, inside Cylinder size 19 in × 26 in (483 mm × 660 mm) 20 in × 26 in (508 mm × 660 mm) (No. 1870) Valve gear Stephenson
Performance figures Tractive effort 14,974 lbf (66.61 kN) (Class M1/Q) 13,990 lbf (62.23 kN) (No. 1869) 15,500 lbf (69 kN) (No. 1870)
Career Operators North Eastern Railway, London & North Eastern Railway, British Rail Withdrawn 1931–1945 (Class M1) 1931–1948 (Class Q) 1930 (Class Q1) Disposition One M1 preserved (No. 1621); remainder M1, Q & Q1 scrapped

Classification

Classification was complex. The NER initially classified these locomotives "M1", while a variant (with compound expansion) was classified "M". The compound was later re-classified "3CC" and the "M1" was re-classified "M".

Under LNER ownership the "M" (formerly "M1") became LNER Class D17/1 and the "3CC" (formerly "M") became LNER Class D19.

This table summarises LNER classes D17, D18 and D19, which were all very similar:

Original NER class	New NER class	LNER Class	Cylinders	Driving wheels
M1	M	D17/1	(2) 19″ × 26″	7′ 1¼″
Q	-	D17/2	(2) 19½″ × 26″	7′ 1¼″
Q1	-	D18	(2) 19½″ × 26″	7′ 7¼″
M	3CC	D19	HP (1) 19″ × 26″ LP (2) 20″ × 24″	7′ 1¼″

• HP = high-pressure cylinder, LP = low-pressure cylinders

Accidents and incidents

• On 4 October 1894, locomotive No. 1622 was one of two locomotives hauling a sleeping car train which overran signals and collided with a freight train that was being shunted at Castle Hills, Yorkshire. One person was killed.^[1]

Main article: Hull Paragon rail accident

• On 14 February 1927, locomotive No. 1628 was hauling a passenger train that was in a head-on collision with another at Hull Paragon station, Yorkshire due to a signalman's error. Twelve people were killed and 24 were injured.^[2]

Withdrawal

The last two D17/1s were withdrawn in 1945. Number 1629 was scrapped but number 1621 was saved for preservation.

No D17/1s passed into British Railways ownership. Two D17/2s did (BR numbers 62111 and 62112) but they were withdrawn in February 1948.

Preservation

• D17/1 number 1621 is preserved at the National Railway Museum. It is currently housed in the Main Hall at Locomotion, Shildon ^[3]