Highland Railway Ben Class Explained

Highland Railway C and U classes
'Small Ben' and 'Large Ben'
Powertype:Steam
Designer:Peter Drummond
Whytetype:4-4-0
Uicclass:2′Bn
Leadingdiameter:3feet
Driverdiameter:6feet
Cylindercount:Two, inside
Valvegear:Stephenson
Operator:HRLMSBR
Operatorclass:HR:
Powerclass:LMS/BR: 2P
Disposition:All scrapped

The Highland Railway Ben Class were small 4-4-0 passenger steam locomotives. There were actually two separate 'Ben' classes, usually referred to as the 'Small Bens' and the 'Large Bens'.

Introduction

Despite the large and small tags, there was actually little difference between the two groups, the most crucial being larger boilers with an increase in tube heating surface. Cylinder and wheel dimensions were identical.

The class was originally designed by Peter Drummond, whose elder (and better known) brother Dugald had been in the company's locomotive department in earlier years and was at that time Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London and South Western Railway.

In appearance they were fairly typical Drummond family products with the stiffener across the cab roof. They were also inside cylindered, almost uniquely among HR bogie locomotives.

Build details

First batch

The first 8 locomotives were of the Small Ben type and were built by Dübs and Company of Glasgow in the period 1898 to 1899. They were:

HR No. Name Manufacturer Built Withdrawn LMS No. BR No. Notes
1 align=left Ben-y-Gloe Dübs & Co. 14397 54397 align=left Renamed Ben Y’Gloe in 1939. Withdrawn before BR number applied
2 align=left Ben Alder Dübs & Co. 14398 54398 align=left Set aside for preservation, but scrapped in 05/1966
3 align=left Ben Wyvis Dübs & Co. 14399 54399 align=left
4 align=left Ben More Dübs & Co. 14400 align=left
5 align=left Ben Vrackie Dübs & Co. 14401 54401 align=left Withdrawn before BR number applied
6 align=left Ben Armin Dübs & Co. 14402 align=left
7 align=left Ben Attow Dübs & Co. 14403 54403 align=left Withdrawn before BR number applied
8 align=left Ben Clebrig Dübs & Co. 14404 54404 align=left
No. 1 was originally named Ben Nevis for its works portrait, an action that attracted the ire of the board as it was in the territory of a competitor (the North British Railway). It was renamed before entering service.

Second batch

The Highland Railway built another nine during 1899–1900 at their own Lochgorm works:

HR No. Name Built Withdrawn LMS No. BR No. Notes
9 align=left Ben Rinnes 14405 align=left
10 align=left Ben Slioch 14406 align=left
11 align=left Ben Macdhui 14407 align=left
12 align=left Ben Hope 14408 align=left
13 align=left Ben Alisky 14409 54409 align=left Withdrawn before BR number applied
14 align=left Ben Dearg 14410 54410 align=left Withdrawn before BR number applied
15 align=left Ben Loyal 14411 align=left
16 align=left Ben Avon 14412 align=left
17 align=left Ben Alligan 14413 align=left

Third batch

Finally, three more were built by the North British Locomotive Company of Glasgow in 1906.

HR No. Name NBL Serial Built Withdrawn LMS No. BR No. Notes
38 align=left Ben Udlaman 17398 14414 align=left
41 align=left Ben Bhach Ard 17399 14415 54415 align=left Withdrawn before BR number applied
47 align=left Ben a'Bhuird 17400 14416 54416 align=left Withdrawn before BR number applied

Large Bens

In 1908 a larger version appeared, initially four examples from North British Locomotive, with two more the following year

HR No. Name NBL serial Built Withdrawn LMS No. BR No. Notes
61 align=left Ben na Caillich 18269 14417 align=left Renamed Ben na Caillach in 1926
63 align=left Ben Mheadhoin 18270 14418 align=left
66 align=left Ben Mholach 18271 14419 align=left Renumbered 64 in 1909
68 align=left Ben a'Chait 18272 14420 align=left Renumbered 65 in 1909
60 align=left Ben Breac Mhor 18803 14421 align=left Renamed Ben Bhreac 'Mhor in 1924
62 align=left Ben a'Chaoruinn 18804 14422 align=left Renamed Ben Achaoruinn in 1926, then Ben a'Chaoruinn at unknown date

Grouping and Nationalisation

All of these locomotives survived to be taken over by the LMS at the Grouping in 1923. The Large Bens were all withdrawn between 1932 and 1937. The first of the Small Bens was withdrawn in 1931, but ten survived into British Railways ownership. The last of these, 54398 Ben Alder, was withdrawn in 1953 and placed in storage in the hope that it would be preserved.

Preservation attempts and revival

Unfortunately the hopes for 54398 – which included the intention to restore the locomotive to Highland Railway condition – came to nothing, and following storage at various locations (including Boat of Garten) it was eventually cut up on 05/1966; and so, none were preserved. However, a charitable organisation has been formed with the aim of building a working replica of 54398 Ben Alder. [1]

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Newbuild Ben Alder rebuilding Scotlands lost locomotive. New build Ben Alder. en. 2019-08-25.