How British Locomotives are numbered

[magickmaker]

The WD locomotives totally throw a ringer into the mix. All of the locomotives had WD before their numbers, which didn't always match with the railroad they were working on. Meaning that it would be possible to have a WD123 locomotive, along with a 123 from that particular line. Curiouser still, many of the locomotives had class letters under their windows (F for the USA class). However they again didn't always match up with the actual classes for the railroads. For example, Southern classified them as Prairies, though a Prairie locomotive is a 2-6-2.

 

[Paulsw2]

....Just something I picked up from a book I just read on Nottingham Victoria station.

My favourite station! Which book please?

Paul

 

[AndrewH]

Oh, also, when LNER locos got renumbered to BR standard, a lot reverted to their pre-LNER numbers. That's why Flying Scotsman (GNR 103, LNER 4472) became 60103, not 64472...

LNER locomotives were renumbered during 1946 in a rationalisation that put all tender locomotives below 6000 and all tank locomotives above 7000. Each locomotive type, by wheel arrangement had a number range. All 4-6-2 and V2 Class tender engines were numbered between 1 and 999, All 4-6-0, 2-6-0 and V4 between 1000 and 1999. I won't bore you with the rest!

So Flying Scotsman which was GNR 1472, became LNER 4472 in 1923 and then was renumbered 103 in 1946. That became 60103 after nationalisation.

As always there is an exception in any numbering scheme. The Gresley 4-6-4 engine no 10000 retained its number.

 

[Atlantis27]

I stand corrected. Only a short-lived system there, only 2 years or so. Makes more sense now. Thanks =)