The Drummond Greyhounds of the LSWR
- Locomotive Studies
- King Arthurs
- by D.L.Bradley
- The T9 4-4-0s of the London & South Western Railway, known up and down the country as the Drummond Greyhounds and one of the most renowned locomotive classes ever to work in Britain, were products of the last century. They stemmed from a long line of Scottish 4-4-0s designed by Dugald Drummond, and the class was the mainstay of LSWR express services from the end of the 19th century until the grouping in 1923.
- In text and illustrations D.L.Bradley relates the enthralling story of the T9s and compares their work and reliability on services between London, the Kent coast, Weymouth, Exeter and North Cornwall, not only with companion LSWR classes but also other types which came into the Southern Railway in the 1923 grouping. Drummond was the dourest of Lowland Scots, but little of his manner passed to his engines. Painted in eye catching apple green, they were neat and attractive, yet displaying a quiet air of authority and competence at their job. The men liked them on sight and seldom had reason to change opinion, for in service they proved easy to handle with a fine turn of speed.
- Time and techniques, however, take scant account of prowess no matter how well gained, and by 1922 events had overtaken the class. Yet one more steam development - superheating - was just around the corner, and by skilful application allowed the Greyhounds to continue, perhaps not on top line express work but certainly on secondary main line duties and on cross country routes, not only through the years of the Southern Railway but well into the BR era, to within a few years of the total end of steam, by which time some members of the class were 60 years old, a tribute indeed.
- 96 pages, 2nd Impression 1983, Case bound, 7" x 10", 450g
- David & Charles Publications
- ISBN 0715373293
- New — Out of Print
- Pre-Owned, very good, minor foxing to insides of boards and cover edge discolouration
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- David & Charles Publications
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