4-4-0 Class T9 LSWR Profile and Models

30120 at Corfe Castle in October 2019. ©Hugh Llewelyn

The London and South Western Railway T9 class was a class of 66 4-4-0 steam locomotive designed for express passenger work by Dugald Drummond and introduced to services on the LSWR in 1899. One example has been preserved after British Railways ownership. The design spawned from the relative failure of Drummond's C8 class of 1898, utilising many lessons learned from this design. A larger boiler was implemented, and such confidence was placed in Drummond's design that an order of 50 locomotives was placed straight off the drawing board. Large fireboxes and Stephenson link valve gear ensured a free-steaming locomotive.They were given the nickname of "Greyhounds" due to their speed, up to 85 miles per hour (137 km/h), and reliability. Intended for express passenger work in South-West England, 66 were eventually built and saw several improvements throughout their service careers. The class operated until 1963 when the last example, No 30120, was withdrawn. 30120 was preserved by the National Railway Museum and is currently on loan to the Swanage Railway. (Information via Wikipedia)
Type of Locomotive	Steam
Builder	Nine Elms Works Dübs & Co
Build Dates	1899 to 1901
Total Built	66
Tractive Effort	17,670 lbf
Top Speed	85mph
Wheel Configuration	4-4-0
Operated By	London & South Western Railway Southern Railway British Railways
Main Duties	Express Passenger Services
In Service Until	1963
Surviving Examples	1