GCR Class 9N [LNER A5]
The GCR Class 9N, classified LNER A5 after the 1923 Grouping, was a series of 4-6-2 prairie side-tank locomotives designed by John George Robinson and introduced at Gorton Works in 1907, built for the more demanding outer-suburban services on the Great Central Railway where the 4-4-2 Atlantic tanks of the 9K and 9L classes were finding their capacity limits on heavier trains and longer distances. The prairie tank — 4-6-2T — provided an additional pair of coupled driving wheels over the Atlantic tank, giving better tractive effort and adhesion for heavier outer-suburban and intermediate express stopping trains.
Robinson designed the 9N for the GCR's Metropolitan Joint services between Marylebone and Aylesbury, and for the heavier outer-suburban and semi-fast services on the London Extension. The 5 ft 7 in coupled driving wheels gave a good balance between speed and tractive effort, and the large side-tank capacity allowed the locomotives to work longer outer-suburban turns without an intermediate water stop.
Under the LNER the A5s continued on former-GCR suburban and semi-fast duties and were also deployed on North Eastern Region suburban services. Several survived into British Railways ownership. At least one example is preserved at the Great Central Railway at Loughborough, alongside a preserved J11 Pom-Pom.
Design and development
Robinson designed the 9N at Gorton in 1907 as a heavier suburban type than the 9K/9L Atlantic tanks, adopting the 4-6-2T prairie wheel arrangement for better tractive effort and adhesion on heavier outer-suburban trains. Outside cylinders and a substantial side-tank water capacity suited the class to the longer GCR outer-suburban turns. Building continued under the LNER to 1923.
Service and withdrawals
The A5s worked GCR, LNER, and BR suburban and semi-fast services from 1907. They were deployed not only on former-GCR services but also on NER suburban duties under LNER management. The last examples were withdrawn in the early 1960s. One entered preservation at the Great Central Railway.
Identification features
Inside-cylinder 4-6-2 tank with 5 ft 7 in coupled wheels.
Notable locomotives
- Various — none preserved
Allocations and regions
Neasden (London) for Metropolitan Joint and GCR outer-suburban services from Marylebone; Gorton (Manchester) for Manchester outer-suburban and semi-fast duties. Under LNER also allocated to North Eastern Region depots for NER suburban services.
