View source for LNER Class A8

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2017}}
{{one source|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox locomotive
|name = LNER Class A8
|image=Middlesbrough Locomotive Depot geograph-2359458-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
|caption=A8 4-6-2T No. 69873 at Middlesbrough Locomotive Depot 1954
|powertype = Steam
|designer = [[Vincent Raven]] and [[Nigel Gresley]]
|builddate = 1931–1936
|builder = 
|totalproduction = 45
|whytetype = [[4-6-2T]]
|uicclass=2′C1′ h3t
|leadingdiameter = {{convert|3|ft|1+1/4|in|3|abbr=on}}
|driverdiameter = {{convert|5|ft|9|in|3|abbr=on}}
|trailingdiameter = {{convert|3|ft|9|in|3|abbr=on}}
|length = {{convert|42|ft|6|in|abbr=on}}
|wheelbase = {{convert|33|ft|3|in|abbr=on}}
|axleload = {{convert|17.8|LT|t ST|abbr=on}}
|locoweight = {{convert|86.8|LT|t ST|abbr=on}}
|cylindercount = 3
|cylindersize = {{convert|16+1/2|x|26|in|0|abbr=on}}
|boiler = {{convert|4|ft|9|in|abbr=on}}
|boilerpressure = {{convert|175|psi|MPa|abbr=on}}
|totalsurface = {{convert|1084.6|sqft|abbr=on}}
|firearea = {{convert|23|sqft|abbr=on}}
|fireboxarea = {{convert|124|sqft|abbr=on}}
|superheaterarea = {{convert|191.134|sqft|3|abbr=on}}
|tubearea = {{convert|680|sqft|abbr=on}}
|fluearea = {{convert|280.6|sqft|abbr=on}}
|tractiveeffort = {{convert|22940|lbf|kN|abbr=on}}
|fuelcap = {{convert|4|LT|t ST|sigfig=2|abbr=on}}
|watercap = {{convert|2000|impgal|abbr=on}}
|valvegear = [[Stephenson valve gear|Stephenson]]
|operator = [[London and North Eastern Railway]], [[British Railways]]
|withdrawndate = 1957–1960
|disposition = All [[scrap]]ped
}}
The [[London and North Eastern Railway]] (LNER) '''Class A8''' was a type of [[4-6-2]][[Side tank|T]] [[steam locomotive]], designed by both [[Vincent Raven]] and [[Nigel Gresley]]. They were rebuilt from the [[NER Class D|LNER Class H1s]], a [[4-4-4]][[Tank locomotive#Side tank|T]] class.

==Overview==

In 1931, H1 No. 2162 was rebuilt as a 4-6-2T and given the A8 classification.
After a series of trials throughout the North East Area, all of the remaining H1s were rebuilt as A8 4-6-2Ts between 1933 and 1936.
During the process of rebuilding, the boiler was modified to include a Robinson-type superheater rather than the original Schmidt superheater. In 1935, further modifications resulted in the A8 boiler being interchangeable with the [[NER Class W1|A6]], [[NER Class Y|A7]], A8, H1, and [[NER Class X|T1]] classes.

==Service==
The rebuilt A8s could easily work the heavy suburban traffic and long distance coastal trains on which they were put to work. They were also welcome replacements for the ageing G5 0-4-4Ts which had been working these services. Allocations of the 45 locomotives were split between the North East / Newcastle area, the Yorkshire Coast Whitby and Scarborough, Hull, and Leeds (Neville Hill).

== Technical details ==

*Weight: {{long ton|86|18}} 
*Boiler pressure: {{convert|175|lbf/in2|MPa|abbr=on}}, superheated
*Cylinders: three, {{convert|16.5|by|26|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
*Driving wheels: {{convert|5|ft|9|in|m|3|abbr=on}} 
*Tractive effort: {{convert|22,940|lbf|kN|abbr=on}}
*Number sequence in (1957/57) was from 69850 to 69894 (previously 9850 to 9894).<ref>{{cite web|title=Steam Loco Class Information|url=http://www.railuk.info/steam/getsteamclass.php?item=A8|website=Rail UK|access-date=25 February 2018}}</ref>

==Withdrawal==
[[Diesel railcar]]s were rapidly introduced during the 1950s, and the A8s quickly became surplus to requirements. Withdrawals started in 1957, and the A8 was extinct by the end of 1960.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book| last=Yeadon| first=Willie| author-link=Willie Yeadon| title=Yeadon's Register of LNER Locomotives| volume=21: Class A5 to A8, H1, H2, L1(L3), L2, M1 and M2 tank engines| publisher=Booklaw/Railbus| year=2001}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|LNER Class A8}}
* [http://www.lner.info/locos/A/a8.shtml The Raven/Gresley A8 Pacific Tank Locomotives] ''LNER Encyclopedia''

{{LNER Locomotives}}

[[Category:London and North Eastern Railway locomotives|A8]]
[[Category:4-6-2T locomotives]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1931]]
[[Category:Scrapped locomotives]]
[[Category:Standard-gauge steam locomotives of Great Britain]]
[[Category:2′C1′ h3t locomotives]]
[[Category:Rebuilt locomotives]]
[[Category:Passenger locomotives in the United Kingdom]]


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