Highland Railway P class

The Highland Railway P class was a group of five 4-4-0Template:Whyte suffix steam locomotives built in 1891 and 1893 by Dübs and Company of Glasgow.

History

In 1891 Dübs and Company of Glasgow completed two 4-4-0Template:Whyte suffix locomotives. They were part of an order for five for the Uruguay Eastern Railway, but due to financial problems the order was cancelled and the engines were offered for sale.

The locomotives were purchased by the Highland Railway in 1892, where they were numbered 101 and 102. Although their cowcatchers and large headlights were removed before entering service, they retained a somewhat American appearance quite unlike other HR designs of the period, lacking the classic Allan framing and sweep of plating from the widest part of the smokebox to the cylinders. They were nicknamed Yankees, although the official designation from 1901 was 'P' Class.

Three further locomotives were delivered by Dübs in 1893, possibly comprising the balance of the Uruguay order. These had standard Highland Railway fittings but were otherwise identical to the first two. They were originally numbered 11, 14 and 15, but were renumbered 51, 50 and 52 in 1899–1900, and 50 was again renumbered to 54 in 1901.

Dimensions

The locomotives had driving wheels and outside cylinders. Boiler pressure was and weight in working order was Template:Long ton.

Use

They were used on branch line services, including those to Burghead, Fortrose, Portessie and Aberfeldy. One (no. 52) was used on the Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway while that line was leased to the Highland.

Transfer to LMS

In 1923 they passed to the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) and became LMS 15013–15017. They were withdrawn between 1924 and 1934.

Numbering

Table of locomotives

HR No.	Date new	LMS No.	Withdrawn	Notes
101	Template:Dts	15013	1934
102	Template:Dts	15014	1934	Named Munlochy in 1910; name later removed
11	Template:Dts	15015	1924	Renumbered 51 in 1899, 51A in 1919, 51B in 1919. Withdrawn before LMS number applied
14	Template:Dts	15017	1924	Named Portessie in 1901; name later removed. Renumbered 50 in 1900, 54 in 1901, 54B in 1921.
15	Template:Dts	15016	1927	Named Fortrose in 1901; name later removed. Renumbered 52 in 1900, 52A in 1919, 52B in 1921.

References

• Template:Baxter-BritishLocoCat4
• Template:0-7110-0554-0