The LNER Class D49s

Steam on the Narrow Gauge and Independent Lines of Austria The LNER Class D49s ‘Hunts’ and ‘Shires’

Photographed by Peter Gray

Introduced in 1927 construction of the ‘Shires’ ran until 1929 with the ‘Hunts’ following between 1932 and 1935 giving a combined total of 76 examples. Although more than capable of operating services allocated, the introduction of Thompson’s Class B1 mixed-traffic 4-6-0 locomotives in 1942 saw the D49s gradually lose favour, as their maintenance costs were greater with less route-availablity. The first withdrawal of the D49s came in September 1957, with the last example taken out of service in April 1961. Fortunately, one example, No 62712 Morayshire, survives in preservation on the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway in Scotland.

£ 12.50

‘Hunts’ and ‘Shires’

Compiled by Alan C Butcher

Although the general perception is that Nigel Gresley’s Pacifics were the first new express locomotives to enter traffic with the recently formed London & North Eastern Railway this was not the case. With the need for additional motive power for secondary main line services the decision was taken to proceed with the well-proven 4-4-0 layout with 6ft 8in diameter driving wheels. The original batch of the D49s, as the threecylinder locomotives came to be known, were designed for service in Scotland; the initial Part One series were named after Scottish and English shire counties – the Part Two series of locomotives were named after Hunts, generally covering the area served by the LNER.

The LNER Class D49s

ISBN 978-1-913893-14-9

Compiled by Alan C Butcher