GNR Classes D2 and D3

The Great Northern Railway Classes D2 and D3 were two related classes of 4-4-0 steam locomotives, 51 in all, designed by Henry Ivatt. They were the first 4-4-0s the GNR introduced and Ivatt's first original design for the railway. The first, No. 400, emerged from Doncaster Works in December 1896, and fifty more were built between May 1897 and December 1899. Unlike most 4-4-0s of the era they were intended for secondary duties, stopping passenger trains, piloting Stirling Singles on heavy expresses and working light express trains. The LNER reclassified the original D2s as D4, and from 1912 Nigel Gresley's new 4 ft 8 in boiler on rebuilt engines produced the D3 class. Withdrawals began in 1935, nineteen passed to British Railways in 1948, and the last, No. 62000, was withdrawn on 18 October 1951 as the last surviving GNR 4-4-0 in operation. All members of the class were ultimately scrapped.