This week, we are looking at the Holden F5 Steam Locomotive Trust, who are building a replica of a Great Eastern Railway (GER) M15R class / London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) F5 class tank engine.

Before exploring the history and progress of The Holden F5 Steam Locomotive Trust, we will first look at the history of the M15(R)s/F5s.

History of the GER M15Rs/LNER F5s

First built at the GER’s Stratford Works in 1884, the M15s were designed by Thomas William Worsdell. Featuring a 2-4-2T wheel arrangement and joy valve gear, the class were used for Branch Line and Suburban work across the GER.

A major issue with the class was high coal consumption, caused by the joy valve gearing.

Holden, after succeeding Worsdell, experimented with the M15s by fitting Stephenson Valve Gear. Proving successful at reducing coal consumption, all engines were fitted with  Stephenson Valve Gear by 1898. The M15Rs was a modified version of the M15s, with the main difference being increased boiler pressure (180PSI instead of 160PSI), also increasing tractive effort. This was carried out between 1911 and 1920. Two M15Rs received G69 class cabs. The M15s became F4s and M15Rs became F5s. Certain engines had minor modifications for working the routes they were allocated to. For example, condensing gear was fitted to some engines working around London.

Decline and withdrawal

The LNER N7s started to replace the F4s and F5s when introduced, with further tanks being built by the LNER to replace the aging F4s and F5s.

The oldest M15s started being withdrawn in 1913, continuing with the oldest members being withdrawn first. The last members of the F4s and F5s were withdrawn and scrapped in 1956 and 1958 respectively.

History of The Holden F5 Steam Locomotive Trust

The main aim of The Holden F5 Steam Locomotive Trust is to build a replica of 789, an LNER F5 which was one of two built with G69 cabs.  The new build engine will be completed in British Railways condition, numbered 67218. 2003 saw the Trust first start to obtain parts for the replica engine.

Original drawings have been used to produce Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings, trying to follow original drawings where possible.

Progress on Building 789

Erecting the frame should hopefully begin when a slot becomes available at Tyseley Locomotive Works. Many other components have been built from scratch. These include smokebox door (door ring and lock also), buffer beam, coal guards and windows.

Recent work has involved searching for further drawings to insure CAD drawings of the radial trucks are correct before construction begins. The radial trucks form part of the frame’s structure and also located near the cylinders, which means they need to be made correctly.

It has come to the end of this week’s Project Information, but we will be back next Friday to bring you another Project.

• Visit The Holden F5 Steam Locomotive Trust website
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