LSWR X6 class explained

LSWR X6 class
Powertype:Steam
Designer:William Adams
Builder:LSWR Nine Elms Works
Builddate:1895–1896
Totalproduction:10
Whytetype:4-4-0
Uicclass:2′B n2
Leadingdiameter:3feet
Driverdiameter:6feet
Length:54feet
Height:13feet
Fueltype:Coal
Boilerpressure:1752NaN2
Cylindercount:Two, outside
Cylindersize:19x
Tractiveeffort:176731NaN1
Operator:LSWR Southern Railway
Operatorclass:X6
Powerclass:SR: I
Withdrawndate:1933–1946
Disposition:All scrapped

The LSWR X6 class was a class of express passenger 4-4-0 steam locomotives designed for the London and South Western Railway by William Adams. Ten were constructed at Nine Elms Locomotive Works between 1895 and 1896.

The class were numbered 657–666, and just as the T3 class were a smaller-wheeled version of the X2 class, the X6 class were a smaller-wheeled version of the T6 class. The boiler was identical to that used the T6 class. Some of the engines were subsequently fitted with a Drummond boiler, including No. 658 which was the last Adams 4-4-0 to remain in service.

All passed to the Southern Railway at the grouping in 1923. Withdrawals started in 1933, and by the start of World War II, only six remained. Five were retired during the war, leaving only No. 658, which was withdrawn in December 1946. All were scrapped.

Table of withdrawals! Year !! Quantity in
service at
start of year !! Quantity
withdrawn !! Locomotive numbers !! Notes
1933 10 2 align=left 662, 665 align=left
1936 8 3 align=left 660, 661, 663 align=left
1940 5 1 align=left 657 align=left
1942 4 1 align=left 664 align=left
1943 3 2 align=left 659, 666 align=left
1946 1 1 align=left 658 align=left

References