The LCDR R1 class was a class of 0-4-4T locomotives on the South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SECR), which were based on an existing London, Chatham and Dover Railway (LCDR) design.

For many years, the two constituents of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway SECR - the London, Chatham and Dover Railway and the South Eastern Railway (SER) - had both favoured the 0-4-4T wheel arrangement for suburban and stopping passenger trains.

The SER's most recent design was James Stirling's Q class 0-4-4T, which had been produced between 1881 and 1897,[2] whereas the LCDR had the more modern R class 0-4-4T of William Kirtley's design, which dated from 1891.

It was intended that a range of standard designs would be produced which would be suitable for use across the whole SECR system, however until these were ready, it was decided to order more of the LCDR's existing R class design, but with modifications.

[4] Fifteen of these locomotives were built by Sharp, Stewart and Company in 1900; their SECR numbers were 696–710 – nos.