Boat Train Motive Power

[Kas01]

I'm not sure if this would be better here or on a British railfan site, but what would have been a reasonable approximation of LSWR's motive power on boat trains circa 1912? There's at least one photo pre-grouping that implies that it's a T9, but I'm not sure if this was always the case.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Julian Atkins]

Hi Kas01,

This is 'right up my street' and on far more firmer ground than other threads I have contributed to.

Yes, it would have been a Drummond loco, but not necessarily his T9. It was probably one of his latest 4-6-0 locos with inside Walschaerts valve gear as described by E A Langridge in his memoirs, built just before Drummond died still in charge at Eastleigh in 1912.

The boat trains to and from the West Country, and the boat trains to and from Southampton were a 'prestige' service of the LSWR.

Cheers,

Julian

 

[Kas01]

Thanks Julian.

Out of curiosity, is Langridge referring to the G14 class of 1908? That's the only Drummond design I can find with inside Walschaerts gear.

 

[Julian Atkins]

Hi Kas01,

I was thinking of Drummond's very successful D15s, though in retrospect they might not have been available for the Titanic boat trains as built in 1912, and when exactly in 1912 I don't have details.

So perhaps a T9 as originally built might have been the motive power!

I hasten to add I am not an expert on LSWR locos apart from the O2s, being very much a Brighton fan.

Cheers,

Julian

 

[Kas01]

Well you're still better versed in British locos in general-my area of interest is the Pennsy's T1s!

 

[Rob Lawes]

Without pushing this topic too far off, Gentleman, I'd like to say there is only one loco by which all others should be judged.

I give you, Charles Collett's Castle Class.

The defence rests.