Self-weighing tenders.

[BR Traction]

Could someone please explain how a self-weighing tender works behind a steam locomotive and which class of locomotives were used in the UK. Thank you everyone.

 

[Gloster]

Could someone please explain how a self-weighing tender works behind a steam locomotive and which class of locomotives were used in the UK. Thank you everyone.

Very simply, the area containing the coal in the tender was basically one side of a pair of scales and it measured the amount of coal in it whenever necessary as the loco proceeded. When not needed to weigh the bunker could be secured to avoid wear or damage to the mechanism.

The tenders were designed to be switched around between different types as needed to research coal consumption. I believe that the main locos were B1 for the former LNER areas and Black Fives for the Midland. The Western and Southern also had a tender or two each, but I am not sure which types they could be attached to.

 

[Rescars]

There are some details about these tenders, especially relating to the Southern, to be found under the Specials heading here: https://sremg.org.uk/steam/mn-ten.shtml

 

[Ploughman]

Do any still exist?

 

[Clarence Yard]

No.