LMS Route: Rugby to Tamworth

Tamworth Station: lnwr_tam3138

An unidentified LNWR 0-8-0 'G1' class locomotive passes through Tamworth on the down fast line circa 1923. The class was designed by Charles Bowen Cooke's and was in essence a superheated version of George Whales' LNWR G class fitted with 8 inch piston valves. The prototype was rebuilt in 1912 from a member of Class 'G' and a further 170 new locomotives were built between 1912 and 1918. In addition, 278 older locomotives were rebuilt between 1917 and 1934 to the 'G1' specification. In 1921 the boiler pressure was increased to 175 psi (pounds per square inch) and were designated as a 'G2' class variation. Finally improvements to braking and valve motion were launched in 1935 being designated 'G2a', the last member of which was finally withdrawn in 1964, just four years before the end of steam on British Railways. All variations of the class were collectively known to enthusiasts as 'Super Ds', being originally based upon the 'D' class superheated design. One member of the class survives, No 9395 being preserved in the National Collection.

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