Another new build: Great Central Railway 'D7'

Yes, another new build.

This one is set up by the Great Central Railway Rollingstock trust and has been in existence since around August 2007!

The locomotive type this time around is the lesser known GCR Class '2' 4-4-0, better remembered under the LNER classification D7. These engines were originally built in 1887 for the Manchester Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway before its metamorphosis into the Great Central, and the last was withdrawn by the LNER in December 1940...after use as a makeshift air shelter! (Considering their low tractive effort of 14,144 lb it is surprising the LNER managed to find a use for them).

There seems to be some controversy over the types origins, as my copy of Locomotives Illustrated 170 tells me, based on a comment in the RCTS Locomotives of the LNER, which claims:

"the genesis of this class is obscure"

(note: I have no knowledge as to whether this is true or not, owing to the fact I hed never heard of this class before reading of the new build project).

Interestingly, the engine already has some vital components that would be very expensive to build new: the Boiler, tender chassis and cylinder block- the block is new and the boiler is in excellent condition, although both are a slightly (very negligable) different sizes that will make no difference in the finished engine.

The spokesman, Mr. Tony Fairburn, has been quoted as saying the engine will a lot less difficult to maintain due to its lack of complexity:

'Its a very simple engine...non superheated engine with slide valves...in terms of size, its akin to building an industrial engine, but with a tender.'

Given the time frame of operation, this engine will be one of the few new build pre-grouping locomotives- and because we do not have a large number of such engines surviving when compared with 20th century types, especially in operational state, it is extra important for this project to suceed and bring some Victorian operational capabilty to UK railways.

At the last update on the temporary site on the GCR Rolling Stock Trust page, the group was still waiting for the now completed Search Engine at the National Railway Museum to open in order to aquire the drawings.

I have contacted Mr Fairburn for a project update, and am currently awaiting a reply. Rest assured, I will continue to add to this project in my 'new-build' section as more information comes in.