METROPOLITAN RAILWAY PECKETT 0-6-0ST
Designer: .................................................................................................................... Peckett & Sons
Builder: ............................................................ Peckett & Sons – Nos. 101 (1897), No. 102 (1899)
Driving wheel diameter: ..................................................................................................... 3ft 10in
Cylinders: ........................................................................................................................ 16in by 22in
Boiler pressure: ............................................................................................................. 140lbs/sq in
Tractive effort: .............................................................................................................................. N/A
One of the most surprising sights you could find on the London Transport network in 1960 was a pair of Peckett 0-6-0STS. You could have been forgiven for thinking that their ‘X’ classification was applied by the Metropolitan, but Peckett & Sons also had a single letter classification system – and these two locomotives were built to its own ‘X’ class design.
No. 101 was bought in 1897 to shunt the extensive goods yard at Harrow. The Metropolitan and the Great Central shared these facilities, with responsibility for shunting passing to each company every five years.
Clearly, there was enough work elsewhere on the network for the Met to order a second ‘X’ in 1899 and
No. 102 was also employed at Neasden.
Both ‘Xs’ passed into London Transport’s hands in 1933 and, despite their age, became part of the Departmental fleet.
As Nos. L53 and L54 they served LT loyally until the 1960s when incoming EX-GWR panniers left them redundant. No. L53 was scrapped in August 1960 while No. L54 was not withdrawn until the following year.
Can I see one? Sadly, No. L54 was broken up at Neasden in March 1962.
Can I model them? Mercian Models produces 4mm and 7mm:1ft etched metal kits of the Peckett ‘X’ Class (www.modelrailways.tv).