NER Class T3 - LNER

LNER

Despite their prowess, the original quintet of T3s was not augmented by the North Eastern Railway, a move that would have pleased footplate crews who disliked having to lubricate and maintain the centre cylinder and valve gear. Instead the enlargement of the class came under LNER. it authorised the construction of ten additional T3s and these emerged from Darlington Works during 1924.

Of the new engines two were allocated to York and a further four went to Hull. The remaining four gravitated to their natural habitat, Tyne Dock depot near South Shields. It was there eventually that all 15 T3s/Q7s congregated. Here they performed the role they were designed for. This was to haul 700 ton rakes of iron ore hoppers to the steelworks at Consett 1000ft above sea level. On the steepest section, as severe as 1 in 35 in places, one 0-8-0 pulled while another pushed.