LNWR Whale Experiment Class

The London and North Western Railway (LNWR) Experiment Class was a class of 4-6-0 steam locomotive designed by George Whale.

LNWR Experiment Class
No. 165 City of Lichfield at Hillhouse steam shed
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerGeorge Whale
BuilderCrewe Works
Serial number4505–09, 4550–59, 4620–39, 4680–89, 4770–89, 4830–69
Build date1905–1910
Total produced105
Rebuild date1915 (one locomotive)
Number rebuilt1
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-6-0
 • UIC2′C n2 (rebuilt: 2′C n4)
Gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Leading dia.3 ft 9 in (1.143 m)
Driver dia.6 ft 3 in (1.905 m)
Loco weight65.75 long tons (66.81 t)
Fuel typeCoal
Boiler pressure175 psi (1.21 MPa)
Heating surface2,041 sq ft (189.6 m2)
CylindersTwo (rebuilt: four)
Cylinder size19 in × 26 in (483 mm × 660 mm);
rebuilt: 14 in × 26 in (356 mm × 660 mm)
Valve gearJoy; rebuilt: Dendy-Marshall
Valve typeSlide valves
Performance figures
Tractive effort18,616 lbf (82.8 kN); rebuilt:20,232 lbf (90.0 kN)
Career
OperatorsLondon and North Western Railway
→ London, Midland and Scottish Railway
Power classLMS: 3P
Number in class1 January 1923: 105
Withdrawn1925–1935
DispositionAll scrapped

Career

They were an extended version of the Whale's Precursor Class 4-4-0, with slightly smaller driving wheels. The first of the class, 66 Experiment was built in 1905 and a total of 105 were constructed up until 1910. The LNWR reused numbers and names of withdrawn locomotives, with the result that the numbering system was completely haphazard. A 19in Express Goods Class with smaller driving wheels was also built from 1906. From 1911, a superheated version, the Prince of Wales Class was built.

In 1915, 1361 Prospero was experimentally rebuilt with four cylinders, Dendy Marshall valve gear and superheated. The conversion was not repeated. Only two other engines were given superheaters; 2624 Saracen and 1993 (LMS 5472) Richard Moon.

All entered London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) stock upon grouping in 1923. The LMS gave them the power classification 3P. The LMS renumbered them into a more logical series of 5450–5553 according to date of construction. An exception was made for 1361 Prospero which became 5554. Not all however survived long enough to receive their LMS numbers — withdrawals had started in 1925. In 1934 the thirteen then remaining were renumbered with the addition of 20000 to their numbers make room for Black Five, Patriot and Jubilee class locomotives. The final engine was withdrawn the following year and none were preserved.

Fleet list

Accidents and incidents
  • On 15 October 1907, a mail train hauled by No. 2052 Stephenson was derailed at Shrewsbury, Shropshire due to excessive speed on a curve. Eighteen people were killed.
  • On 5 July 1923, an express passenger train hauled by 1406 George Findlay was involved in a rear-end collision with a freight train at Diggle, Lancashire due to confusion by the driver of the freight train over flag signals. Four people were killed.[2]

References
  1. Baxter1979, pp. 265–268.
  2. Trevena, Arthur (1980). Trains in Trouble. Vol. 1. Redruth: Atlantic Books. pp. 24, 20. ISBN 0-906899-01-X.
  • Baxter, Bertram (1979). Baxter, David (ed.). British Locomotive Catalogue 1825–1923, Volume 2B: London and North Western Railway and its constituent companies. Ashbourne, Derbyshire: Moorland Publishing Company. ISBN 0-903485-84-2.
  • Casserley, H. C. & Johnston, Stuart W. (1974) [1966]. Locomotives at the Grouping 3: London, Midland and Scottish Railway. Shepperton, Surrey: Ian Allan. pp. 65–66. ISBN 0-7110-0554-0.
  • LNWR Society Photographs of the Whale 4-6-0 Experiment class steam locomotives.
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