Midland Railway 1000 Class
Design and development
Johnson, taking inspiration from Walter Smith of the NER, designed in 1901 a three-cylinder compound 4-4-0 — one high-pressure inside cylinder and two low-pressure outside cylinders. Deeley, succeeding Johnson in 1903, refined the design and the production engines featured Deeley's "reverser" handle and other improvements. 45 "Midland Compounds" were built between 1902 and 1909.
The LMS, recognising their excellence, restarted construction in 1924 as the "Standard Compound", and 195 more were built between 1924 and 1932 — the last batch being among the LMS's most modern 4-4-0s. The Midland Compounds were reckoned among Britain's most economical and free-running express engines.
Service and withdrawals
The Compounds worked Midland Railway and LMS expresses on the Settle & Carlisle, Manchester, Leeds and London routes from 1902 onwards. They were progressively superseded by the LMS Pacifics from the 1930s but lasted in secondary service until 1961. MR No. 1000 was preserved by the LMS, restored to original MR crimson lake livery as MR 1000, and is at the NRM York in working order.
Identification features
Three-cylinder compound 4-4-0 with 7 ft coupled wheels, leading 4-wheel bogie, distinctive central inside HP cylinder and two outside LP cylinders. Belpaire firebox.
Notable locomotives
- 1000 (1902, National Railway Museum)