LNER K Class 2-6-0’s : From GNR to BR

Sir Nigel Gresley was one of the pioneers in developing the 2-6-0 wheel arrangement in Britain during the early 20th century. He also used the type to examine several distinguishing features that were used in his subsequent designs. Producing 85 2-6-0 locomotives for the Great Northern Railway, he built a further 189 for the London & North Eastern Railway, whilst his successors constructed 70 engines. These 344 LNER K Class 2-6-0s were a mainstay of secondary passenger and goods services along the East Coast Main Line from 1912 to the end of steam in the 1960s, whilst finding new areas of operation after Grouping. The K4 Class also took a specialised role on the West Highland Railway in Scotland. LNER K Class 2-6-0s uses over 160 excellent colour and black-and-white images to present the development of the type from introduction to their final days under British Railways. The engines are pictured at a number of locations, such as stations, sheds, from the lineside, as well as workshops. Only one LNER K Class 2-6-0 has been preserved and is currently out of service. This collection provides a welcome reminder of the importance of the LNER K Classes over a remarkable period in the history of the steam locomotive.