What was the operator of LSWR G6 class from 1948 to 1962?
LSWR G6 class The LSWR G6 class was an 0-6-0T tank locomotive designed by William Adams for the London and South Western Railway . Background . The late nineteenth century was a troubled period for the LSWR due to frequent motive power shortages brought about by employing a collection of ageing locomotives in an era of increasing rail traffic . There was a need to supplement this fleet with a new class of locomotive design that could undertake the mundane task of shunting in goods yards around the LSWR network . In 1893 , the LSWR tasked their Locomotive Superintendent , William Adams , to solve this requirement for additional motive power . A new class of yard shunters was required to supplement the railways current stock of 0-6-0Ts , which dated from 1881 and had been constructed by Beyer , Peacock and Company . Therefore , a need for a compact freight design was highlighted , with the G6 being the resultant locomotive class . Construction history . The new design was designated the Class G6 by Adams , who intended the class to be an 0-6-0 version of his O2 class passenger locomotives . The wheel arrangement was ideal for the tight curves and traction needed in shunting activities , with the shorter wheelbase helping to solve both these concerns . The G6 represented the only 0-6-0 design undertaken by Adams , with the resultant locomotive being a highly compact design . Construction of the class began in 1893 , and was undertaken in-house by the LSWR at Nine Elms works in London , with an initial batch of ten locomotives being constructed . The boiler also betrayed the pairing with the O2 Class because it was the same for standardisation purposes . Four further locomotives were constructed in 1896 as replacements for the B4 class 0-4-0T dock shunters at Southampton Docks due to their increased coal and water capacity and enhanced power . This proved to be one of Adamss last deeds on the LSWR , as he retired to be replaced by Dugald Drummond . Drummond authorised a further batch of ten locomotives during the period 1897 to 1898 after being impressed with the performance of the class . A further , and final , batch of ten was ordered in 1900 . However , both of these batches differed from the original ten because they utilised the boilers of Beattie Well tanks and other withdrawn locomotives . Very few modifications were undertaken during their working careers , with only the Adams stovepipe chimney being replaced by a Drummond lipped example , whilst vacuum brakes were also eventually implemented . Livery and numbering . LSWR and Southern . Under LSWR ownership , the G6s were outshopped in the LSWR dark Holly Green livery , with black and light green lining , which was applied to most freight designs of the LSWR . Gilt lettering and numbering was located on the water tank sides and cabside respectively , with the letters LSW . Post-1948 ( nationalisation ) . The class as inherited by British Railways retained the Southern livery for a short period . As overhauls took place , the class began to be turned out in unlined BR Freight Black livery . However , only ten locomotives were to see this livery , as several members were withdrawn from service and scrapped . The BR crest was placed upon the water tank sides , with the number cabside . Due to the confused nature of the original LSWR and subsequent SR numbering systems , the class was spread across several numbering bands in the BR 30xxx series . BR inherited 32 locomotives : 30160 , 30162 , 30257 to 30279 , and 30348 , 30349 . However , after the mass withdrawal of 1951 , only 30160 , 30162 , 30237 , 30258 , 30260 , 30266 , 30270 , 30274 , 30279 and 30349 remained to receive the new livery . Operational details . The G6 Class was a highly localised , though useful , locomotive design that very rarely ventured off the LSWR network , even in service with the Southern Railway . The only exception was the transfer of a single example to Reading freight yard in 1941 to assist with the GWRs shortage of motive power during the Second World War . As the war progressed , a second member of the class was also transferred here and provided sterling service . The class was highly successful in undertaking the tasks they were designed for , and were respected by their crews . They rarely undertook passenger work , though they did undertake banking duties between Exeter St Davids and Exeter Central on occasion , until Stroudley E1/R 0-6-2Ts took on this task in 1933 . After Nationalisation , two members of the class eventually found their way into departmental service , both being allocated to Meldon Quarry in Devon . The first to undertake this role was number 30272 in June 1950 , being renumbered DS3152 . When this example was withdrawn in 1960 , 30238 replaced DS3152 under the new number of DS682 . Withdrawal . The first withdrawal was number 348 in August 1948 , followed by a larger number of 22 by the end of 1951 . The final survivor was a 64-year-old example , number 30238 , though this locomotive was one of the last to be withdrawn as part of the Modernisation Plan in late 1962 . None of these useful locomotives have survived into preservation .