The Great Central Railway Class 11F or Improved Director Class is a class of 4-4-0 steam locomotive designed by John G. Robinson for passenger work. The LNER classified them as Class D11 in 1923. They were based on the earlier GCR Class 11E "Director" class (LNER D10).

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Quick Facts GCR Class 11F LNER Class D11, Type and origin ...

GCR Class 11F LNER Class D11
GCR Class 11F 62690 (LNER D11/2 No. 6397) The Lady of the Lake at Haymarket MPD, Edinburgh, in 1958
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer John G. Robinson Builder GCR Gorton Works (11) Kitson & Co. (12) Armstrong Whitworth (12) Build date 1919–1924 Total produced 35
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-4-0  • UIC 2′B h2 Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Leading dia. 3 ft 6 in (1.067 m) Driver dia. 6 ft 9 in (2.057 m) Length 56 ft 5.5 in (17.209 m) Loco weight 61.15 long tons (62.13 t; 68.49 short tons) Tender weight 48.30 long tons (49.08 t; 54.10 short tons) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 6 long tons 0 cwt (13,400 lb or 6.1 t) Water cap. 4,000 imp gal (18,000 L; 4,800 US gal) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 26.5 sq ft (2.46 m2) Boiler: ​  • Diameter 5 ft 0.5 in (1,537 mm) to 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) Boiler pressure 180 psi (1.24 MPa) Heating surface: ​  • Firebox 155 sq ft (14.4 m2)[1]  • Tubes 972 sq ft (90.3 m2)[1]  • Flues 416 sq ft (38.6 m2)[1]  • Total surface 1,543 sq ft (143.3 m2)[1] Superheater: ​  • Heating area 209 sq ft (19.4 m2) Cylinders Two, inside Cylinder size 20 in × 26 in (508 mm × 660 mm) Valve gear Stephenson Valve type 10 inches (254 mm) piston valves
Performance figures Tractive effort 19,645 lbf (87.4 kN)
Career Operators Great Central Railway → London and North Eastern Railway → British Railways Class GCR: 11F LNER: D11/1, D11/2 Power class BR: 3P2F Withdrawn 1958–1962 Disposition One preserved, remainder scrapped

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There were two subclasses: D11/1 were the original GCR engines and D11/2 were those built in 1924 by the LNER to a reduced loading gauge with smaller boiler mountings for hauling passenger trains in Scotland.^[2]

The 11F Class was initially used on passenger work on the GCR system, including fast expresses from Sheffield Victoria to London Marylebone. Later in their careers, they were used on short-distance passenger trains. On lines of the Cheshire Lines Committee during the late 1940s and early 1950s, they hauled expresses between Manchester Central and Liverpool Central; also semi-fast trains from Manchester Central via Northwich to Chester Northgate.

Their 6 ft 9 inches driving wheels made them fast locos, but consequently unsuitable for hauling freight trains. The eleven original 11F locos were withdrawn during 1959 and 1960 as diesel multiple units took over operation of the shorter distance passenger trains.

The sixth member of the class, No. 506 Butler-Henderson, was withdrawn from use by British Railways during 1960. It has been preserved as part of the UK National Collection and currently wears restored GCR colours. No. 506 is the only surviving GCR passenger locomotive.

The locomotive operated passenger trains on the preserved Great Central Railway in Leicestershire during the late 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s but is now out of running order. The locomotive was placed on long-term loan for static display at Barrow Hill Engine Shed, near Chesterfield, in 2005, where she currently resides.^[3]

Bachmann Branchline produces models of the D11 in other Great Central liveries, LNER liveries and British Railway liveries, including a NRM exclusive model of 'Butler Henderson'.^[4]