Southern Railway G16s away from Feltham

[6Gman]

The G16s were a small class (4) of large tank locomotives (4-8-0 wheel arrangement, 95 tons in weight) specifically built for use at Feltham Yard.

My question is whether, or rather to what degree, they were used on other duties? I have seen a photo of one on freight duties at Acton (WR) presumably on freight to or from Feltham. I've seen suggestions that one or more worked from Guildford at some point after the arrival of diesel shunters in 1955.

Any observations?

 

[norbitonflyer]

The G16s were a small class (4) of large tank locomotives (4-8-0 wheel arrangement, 95 tons in weight) specifically built for use at Feltham Yard.

My question is whether, or rather to what degree, they were used on other duties? I have seen a photo of one on freight duties at Acton (WR) presumably on freight to or from Feltham. I've seen suggestions that one or more worked from Guildford at some point after the arrival of diesel shunters in 1955.

Any observations?

Wikipedia says they were tried at Guildford after the diesels took over Feltham, but their long rigid wheelbase made it difficult to find suitable locations for them to work. (Ther only other eight-coupled locos on the Southern were the later "Z" class 0-8-0Ts, introduced in 1929)

The similar 4-6-2T H16s could do almost anything a G16 could do, leaving the G16s to work at Feltham for the job they were designed for - although they were not ideal even for that, as the leading bogie meant some of the weight was not available for adhesion, and the big grate ate a lot of coal even when, as is the lot of a shunting engine, they spend a lot of time standing idle.

Increasing electrification on the Southern meant that by the time the diesel shunters arrived there was less work for steam locomotives to do throughout the network, so there was a surplus of steam traction and the operating department could pick and choose the most appropriate type for the remaining steam work - and there was little work for which the G16s were more suited than anything else available.

 

[Gloster]

Even before the diesels arrived at the beginning of 1954 they occasionally worked freight out as far as Reading or Guildford. In October 1954 30494 and 30495 spent a week at Longmoor for some reason. They continued to work odd jobs including cross-London transfers until withdrawn: they are known to have reached Acton, Neasden and Willesden; they may have reached Brent, but probably no further.

Sources: mostly Locomotives Illustrated 143 and SREmG.

 

[6Gman]

Even before the diesels arrived at the beginning of 1954 they occasionally worked freight out as far as Reading or Guildford. In October 1954 30494 and 30495 spent a week at Longmoor for some reason. They continued to work odd jobs including cross-London transfers until withdrawn: they are known to have reached Acton, Neasden and Willesden; they may have reached Brent, but probably no further.

Sources: mostly Locomotives Illustrated 143 and SREmG.

Many thanks.

Was trying to establish whether one could have worked a Feltham - Brent in 1955 and it would appear they could though not necessarily that they did!