L&YR Class 24
The L&YR Class 24 was a class of short-wheelbase steam locomotives of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (L&YR). It was designed by Aspinall and introduced in 1897 for shunting duties. Twenty locomotives were built, but six were withdrawn between 1917 and 1922. They were notable for the first design of a locomotive in Britain to use a Belpaire firebox and its first use on the L&YR. Design and construction They were designed for use in freight yards with sharp curves and steep inclines where more power was needed than that provided by alternative Aspinall Pugs. This was the first time for a new build on the L&YR a Belpaire firebox was used. The short-wheelbase design included outside cylinders with Richardson balanced valves on top; these being controlled by a combination of Allan motion and rocking shaft. Modifications The steam reversing gear, helpful for faster shunting operations, was later replaced by a screw which negated this effect. The push and pull regulator handle seemed to have been responsible for a number of minor accidents through lack of fine control was also replaced by a standard type. Those working in the Liverpool docks area had bells fitted beneath the boiler. Seven of