LNWR Alfred the Great Class

The London and North Western Railway (LNWR) Alfred the Great class, after modification known as the Benbow Class was a class of 4-4-0 4-cylinder compound locomotives by F.W. Webb. A total of forty were built from 1901–1903. They were a development of the Jubilee Class, with a slightly larger boiler.

LNWR Alfred the Great Class
No. 1942 King Edward VII in photographic grey livery
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer F. W. Webb Builder Crewe Works Serial number 4125–4134, 4195–4204, 4285–4294, 4335–4344 Build date 1901–1903 Total produced 40
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-4-0  • UIC 2′B n4v Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Leading dia. 3 ft 9 in (1.143 m) Driver dia. 7 ft 1 in (2.159 m) Loco weight 57.60 long tons (58.52 t) Boiler pressure 200 lbf/in2 (1.38 MPa) Heating surface 1,579.5 sq ft (146.74 m2) Cylinders Four: two HP (outside); two LP (inside) High-pressure cylinder 16 in × 24 in (406 mm × 610 mm) Low-pressure cylinder 20 1⁄2 in × 24 in (521 mm × 610 mm) Valve gear Joy
Performance figures Tractive effort 80%: 30,544 lbf (135.87 kN)
Career Operators London and North Western Railway London, Midland and Scottish Railway Power class LMS: 2P Number in class 1 January 1923: 15 Withdrawn 1923–1928 Disposition 33 rebuilt as 2-cylinder simple Renown-class locomotives (1913–1924); remainder (and all Renowns) scrapped.

Unusually for the LNWR, the locomotives were assigned a number series, this being 1941–1980.

Compounds had proven unreliable, so starting in 1908 Whale started rebuilding the Jubilees into the 2 cylinder simple Renown Class. Bowen-Cooke started the same process with the Benbows in 1913, and these too were added to the Renown Class. Rebuilt engines retained their numbers. Benbow 1974 Howe was superheated in 1921; the only member of the class so treated.

Number 1976 Lady Godiva was withdrawn in December 1922 without rebuilding. By the grouping of 1 January 1923, when the LNWR passed into London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) ownership, 25 had been rebuilt to Renowns, leaving fourteen Benbows. Of these, 1956 was withdrawn in early 1923, before it could be allocated an LMS number, but the remaining 13—1944/52–55/64/66/67/69/70/74/77/79 were allocated the LMS numbers 5118–5130, sequentially. The LMS continued conversions, rebuilding another eight—1952–54/64/67/69/70/74 in 1923/4. The remainder four Benbows 1944/55/66/79 were withdrawn between 1923–1927, the last being 1974 Howe in 1928 – none of these last five received their allocated LMS numbers. And thus the class was made extinct.