LNER A4 class
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60009 Union of South Africa in 1951
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| Type and origin | |
|---|---|
| Power type | Steam |
| Designer | H. N. Gresley |
| Builder | LNER Doncaster Works |
| Build date | 1935–1938 |
| Total produced | 35 |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Configuration: |
|
| • Whyte | 4-6-2 |
| • UIC | 2'C1h |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Leading dia. | 3 ft 2 in (0.965 m) |
| Driver dia. | 6 ft 8 in (2.032 m) |
| Trailing dia. | 3 ft 8 in (1.118 m) |
| Loco weight | 102 long tons 19 cwt (230,600 lb or 104.6 t) 102 long tons 19 hundredweight (104.6 t; 115.3 short tons) |
| Total weight | 167 long tons 2 cwt (374,300 lb or 169.8 t) 167 long tons 2 hundredweight (169.8 t; 187.2 short tons) |
| Fuel type | Coal |
| Fuel capacity | 8 long tons 0 cwt (17,900 lb or 8.1 t) 8 long tons 0 hundredweight (8.13 t; 8.96 short tons) |
| Water cap | 5,000 imp gal (23,000 l; 6,000 US gal) |
| Boiler pressure | 250 psi (1.72 MPa) |
| Cylinders | Three |
| Cylinder size | 18.5 in × 26 in (470 mm × 660 mm) |
| Loco brake | Vacuum |
| Train brakes | Vacuum 60007, 60009 & 60019 have been fitted with air brakes |
| Performance figures | |
|---|---|
| Maximum speed | 90 mph (140 km/h) in Regular Service (126.4 mph (203.4 km/h) maximum recorded) |
| Tractive effort | 35,455 lbf (157.71 kN) |
| Career | |
|---|---|
| Operators | LNER, BR |
| Class | A4 |
| Power class | BR: 8P6F |
| Number in class | 35 |
| Numbers | LNER: 2509–2512, 4462–4469, 4482–4500, 4900–4903, LNER 1–34 (not in order), BR: 60001–60034 |
| Nicknames | "Streak" |
| Withdrawn | 1942, 1962–1966 |
| Preserved | 4488, 4489, 4464, 4496, 4498, 4468 |
| Disposition | Six preserved, remainder scrapped |
The Class A4 is a class of streamlined 4-6-2 steam locomotive designed by Nigel Gresley for the London and North Eastern Railway in 1935. Their streamlined design gave them high-speed capability as well as making them instantly recognisable, and one of the class, 4468 Mallard, holds the world record as the fastest steam locomotive. Thirty-five of the class were built to haul express passenger trains on the East Coast Main Line route from London Kings Cross via York to Newcastle, and later via Newcastle to Edinburgh, Scotland. They remained in service on the East Coast Main Line until the early 1960s when they were replaced by Deltic diesel locomotives. Several A4s saw out their remaining days until 1966 in Scotland, particularly on the Aberdeen - Glasgow express trains, for which they were used to improve the timing from 3.5 to 3 hours.
Gresley introduced the Class A4 locomotives in 1935 to haul a new streamlined train called the Silver Jubilee to run between London King's Cross and Newcastle. The new service was named in celebration of the 25th year of King George V's reign.
During a visit to Germany in 1933, Gresley had been inspired by the high-speed streamlined "Flying Hamburger" diesel trains, and indeed the LNER had considered purchasing similar trains for use from London to Newcastle. However, the diesel units of the time did not have the desired passenger carrying capacity and the capital investment in the new technology was prohibitive.
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Wikipedia