LSWR B4 class

The London and South Western Railway B4 class is a class of 0 4 0 tank engines originally designed for station piloting and dock shunting. They were later used extensively in Southampton Docks for nearly half a century.

The locomotives were designed by the London and South Western Railway (LSWR) Locomotive Superintendent William Adams. They were unusual in having inside Stephenson valve gear but outside cylinders and coal bunkers on the footplate inside the cab. The class were originally built with Adams' stovepipe chimney, although these were later replaced by a lipped version designed by Adams' successor, Dugald Drummond. Some examples also had cut away cabs to improve visibility. They were designed for shunting in locations with a sharp curves, such as the dockyard at Devonport and as pilots at the major stations.

The LSWR originally ordered ten locomotives in 1890 from its Nine Elms Works. The class was designated by their order number ‘B4’ and delivered during 1891 and 1892. A further ten locomotives were ordered in 1893 which were delivered in November and December of that year under order D6. Drummond designed a similar class of five locomotives in 1907, with a slightly smaller boiler and lipped chimney. These were delivered during 1908 under order K14. No. 84, delivered in June 1908 was the last locomotive to be built at Nine Elms Works prior to the works' transfer to Eastleigh. These locomotives were originally regarded as a new class. However, Drummond's successor Robert Urie, considered them to be so similar to the originals, that they were merged with the B4 class in 1912. Order No. YearQuantityLSWR numbersNotes B4 1891 10 85–94 D6 1893 10 81, 95–100, 102, 103, 176 K14 1908 5 746, 747, 82–84 746/747 renumbered 101/147 in 1922

The first ten locomotives were allocated to major stations throughout the system including Eastleigh, Exmouth Junction, Bournemouth and Plymouth Friary (for use on Cattedown Wharfs and the Turnchapel branch). In November 1892 the LSWR purchased the Southampton Docks, and so both new and existing B4s were sent there over the next few years to replace the existing motive power as they became worn out. By 1899 their use as station pilots had ceased except at Exeter and fourteen were working in Southampton Docks. Other members of the class were assigned to various depots around the LSWR system, for yard and dock shunting. After 1923 the Southern Railway also used them at Dover Marine, Ashford, Stewarts Lane, Hamworthy (for use at Poole Quay) and at Guildford (as a shed pilot). At least two were retained at Eastleigh one of which was used to shunt the cramped goods yard at Winchester City railway station.

The locomotives used by Southampton Docks, were also given names reflecting the destinations of ships then sailing from Southamton numbers. LSWR No. Name 85 Alderney 81 Jersey 86 Havre 89 Trouville 90 Caen 93 St Malo 95 Honfleur 96 Normandy 97 Brittany 98 Cherbourg 102 Granville 176 Guernsey 746 Dinan 747 Dinard