LNER Class A4 4469 Sir Ralph Wedgwood

Sir Ralph Wedgwood
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Doncaster Works Serial number 1871 Build date 30 August 1938
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-6-2  • UIC 2'C1h3 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) Boiler pressure 250 psi (1.72 MPa) Cylinders Three Cylinder size 18.5 in × 26 in (470 mm × 660 mm) Loco brake Steam Train brakes LNER: Vacuum
Performance figures Tractive effort 35,455 lbf (157.7 kN)
Career Operators LNER Class A4 Number in class 35 Numbers LNER 4469 Official name Sir Ralph Wedgwood (formerly Gadwall) Disposition Scrapped

Type and origin
Power type	Steam
Builder	Doncaster Works
Serial number	1871
Build date	30 August 1938

Specifications
Configuration:	​
• Whyte	4-6-2
• UIC	2'C1h3
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)
Boiler pressure	250 psi (1.72 MPa)
Cylinders	Three
Cylinder size	18.5 in × 26 in (470 mm × 660 mm)
Loco brake	Steam
Train brakes	LNER: Vacuum

Performance figures
Tractive effort	35,455 lbf (157.7 kN)

Career
Operators	LNER
Class	A4
Number in class	35
Numbers	LNER 4469
Official name	Sir Ralph Wedgwood (formerly Gadwall)
Disposition	Scrapped

LNER Class A4 No. 4469 Sir Ralph Wedgwood was an A4 class locomotive of the LNER. Built at Doncaster Works, it was originally named Gadwall, being renamed Sir Ralph Wedgwood in March 1939 in recognition of Wedgwood's sixteen years of service as Chief Officer of the LNER between 1923 and 1939.

No. 4469 was built at the Doncaster Works as builders number 1871 in 1938. It received the name Gadwall, and was allocated to Gateshead shed on completion. It was paired with non-corridor tender No. 5672 built new in 1938; as one of the A4 class locomotives built for general express duties it was painted in garter blue.

In March 1939, No. 4469 was officially renamed Sir Ralph Wedgwood shortly before the retirement of its namesake. This was one of three locomotives to be named after LNER officials in that year, the others being No. 4499 Sir Murrough Wilson (originally Pochard, renamed April 1939) and 4500 Sir Ronald Matthews (formerly Garganey, renamed March 1939). Following the outbreak of World War II, No. 4469 initially retained its garter blue livery before being repainted into wartime black. The valances over the driving wheels were also removed for ease of access to the locomotive's valve gear.

In late April 1942, No. 4469 received repairs at Doncaster Works and was temporarily allocated to Doncaster shed for running in on local services before returning to Gateshead. It was stabled at York North Shed on the night of 28/29 April 1942, the night of the Baedeker raid on York. During the attack, York station and North Shed were bombed; during the attack No. 4469 and another nearby engine, B16 class No. 925 were damaged after a bomb fell through the shed roof and exploded between the two engines.

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