2-6-4T Class L1 Thompson LNER Profile and Models

67717 at Neasden Locomotive Depot in July 1948. ©Ben Brooksbank

The London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) Thompson Class L1 was a class of 2-6-4T steam locomotives designed by Edward Thompson. The prototype no. 9000 was built in 1945, but the remaining 99 were built under British Railways jurisdiction in the period 1948–1950. The class, at least on paper, should have been very free steaming and powerful engines but, in practice, they were not suited to the work to which they were assigned. The speeds required for suburban passenger work wore the engines out in a remarkably short time. Axleboxes, crosshead slides and crank bearings all suffered due to the high speeds. Withdrawals were between 1960 and 1962. None survived to preservation. (Information provided via Wikipedia)
Type of Locomotive	Steam
Builder	Doncaster Works Darlington Works North British Locomotive Co Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns
Build Date	1945 to 1950
Total Built	100
Tractive Effort	32,080 lbf (Most) 25,063 to 28,516 lbf (Some, experimentally)
Wheel Configuration	2-6-4T
Operated By	London & North Eastern Railway British Railways
Main Duties	Passenger Services
In Service Until	1962
Surviving Examples	0