The LBSCR Engineer, Robert Billinton, in 1912 designed a new powerful goods locomotive that coped with heavy loads at speed. No 337 appeared the following year (1913) and by 1921 a total of 17 had been constructed at Brighton works.
They proved to be very successful providing invaluable support during WW1 when very large freight movements were required. The locomotives also coped well with passenger services providing a good all-round service to the railway.
Billinton was not afraid to improve the steaming characteristics to help reduce coal running costs and the design innovations included an additional dome and top feed. This feature was improved and the last seven locomotives left Brighton works including this feature which lasted through to the end of the 1920’s before all were modified back to one dome.
More would have been built but for the fact that the LBSCR was merged into the larger SR in 1923 and the new company appointed a new Engineer Richard. E. L. Maunsell. He favoured his own N and U class designs so no more K Class locomotives were built. |
