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LNWR Whale Experiment Class

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}

{{Use British English|date=April 2017}}

{{Infobox locomotive

|name = LNWR Experiment Class (Whale)

|powertype = Steam

|image = LNWR engine No.165 'City of Lichfield'.jpg

|caption = No. 165 City of Lichfield at Hillhouse steam shed

|designer = George Whale

|builder = Crewe Works

|serialnumber = 4505–09, 4550–59, 4620–39, 4680–89, 4770–89, 4830–69

|builddate = 1905–1910

|totalproduction = 105

|rebuilddate = 1915

|numberrebuilt = 1

|whytetype = 4-6-0

|uicclass = 2′C n2 (rebuilt: 2′C n4)

|gauge = {{track gauge|ussg}}

|leadingdiameter = {{convert|3|ft|9|in|m|3|abbr=on}}

|driverdiameter = {{convert|6|ft|3|in|m|3|abbr=on}}

|locoweight = {{convert|65.75|LT}}

|fueltype = Coal

|fuelcap =

|watercap =

|boilerpressure = {{convert|175|psi|MPa|2|abbr=on}}

|totalsurface = {{convert|2041|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}

|cylindercount = Two (rebuilt: four)

|cylindersize = {{convert|19|x|26|in|mm|0|abbr=on}};
rebuilt: {{convert|14|x|26|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

|valvegear = Joy; rebuilt: Dendy-Marshall

|valvetype = Slide valves

|tractiveeffort = {{convert|18616|lbf|kN|1|abbr=on}}; rebuilt: {{convert|20232|lbf|kN|1|abbr=on}}

|operator = London and North Western Railway
→ London, Midland and Scottish Railway

|powerclass = LMS: 3P

|numinclass = 1 January 1923: 105

|withdrawndate = 1925–1935

|disposition = All scrapped

}}

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

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 The LNWR reused numbers and names of withdrawn locomotives, with the result that the numbering system was completely haphazard.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

class="wikitable sortable collapsible collapsed"

|+Table of locomotives{{sfn|Baxter1979|pp=265–268}}

! LNWR
No.

! Name

! Crewe
Works
No.

! Built

! LMS
No.

! With-
drawn

! Notes

style="text-align:center;" | 66Experimentstyle="text-align:center;" |4505{{dts|1905|Apr}}style="text-align:center;" |5450{{dts|1931|Jul}}
style="text-align:center;" | 306Autocratstyle="text-align:center;" |4506{{dts|1905|Jul}}style="text-align:center;" |5451{{dts|1930|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" | 353Britannicstyle="text-align:center;" |4507{{dts|1905|Jun}}style="text-align:center;" |5452{{dts|1930|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" | 372Germanicstyle="text-align:center;" |4508{{dts|1905|Jun}}style="text-align:center;" |5453{{dts|1928|Sep}}Renamed Belgic from October 1914
style="text-align:center;" | 507Sarmatianstyle="text-align:center;" |4509{{dts|1905|Jun}}style="text-align:center;" |5454{{dts|1932|Sep}}
style="text-align:center;" | 565City of Carlislestyle="text-align:center;" |4550{{dts|1906|Jan}}style="text-align:center;" |5455{{dts|1925|Jun}}LMS number never applied
style="text-align:center;" | 893City of Chesterstyle="text-align:center;" |4551{{dts|1906|Jan}}style="text-align:center;" |5456{{dts|1935|Aug}}Renumbered 25456 in 1935
style="text-align:center;" |1074City of Dublinstyle="text-align:center;" |4552{{dts|1906|Jan}}style="text-align:center;" |5457{{dts|1934|Sep}}
style="text-align:center;" |1357City of Edinburghstyle="text-align:center;" |4553{{dts|1906|Jan}}style="text-align:center;" |5458{{dts|1933|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" |1669City of Glasgowstyle="text-align:center;" |4554{{dts|1906|Feb}}style="text-align:center;" |5464{{dts|1930|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" |165City of Lichfieldstyle="text-align:center;" |4555{{dts|1906|Jan}}style="text-align:center;" |5459{{dts|1930|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" | 828City of Liverpoolstyle="text-align:center;" |4556{{dts|1906|Feb}}style="text-align:center;" |5460{{dts|1934|Oct}}
style="text-align:center;" | 978City of Londonstyle="text-align:center;" |4557{{dts|1906|Feb}}style="text-align:center;" |5461{{dts|1934|May}}
style="text-align:center;" |1405City of Manchesterstyle="text-align:center;" |4558{{dts|1906|Feb}}style="text-align:center;" |5462{{dts|1934|Nov}}
style="text-align:center;" |1575City of Parisstyle="text-align:center;" |4559{{dts|1906|Feb}}style="text-align:center;" |5463{{dts|1928|Sep}}
style="text-align:center;" |1986Clanricardestyle="text-align:center;" |4620{{dts|1906|Sep}}style="text-align:center;" |5465{{dts|1925|Oct}}LMS number never applied
style="text-align:center;" |1987Glendowerstyle="text-align:center;" |4621{{dts|1906|Sep}}style="text-align:center;" |5466{{dts|1934|Nov}}
style="text-align:center;" |1988Hurricanestyle="text-align:center;" |4622{{dts|1906|Sep}}style="text-align:center;" |5467{{dts|1928|Sep}}
style="text-align:center;" |1989Lady of the Lakestyle="text-align:center;" |4623{{dts|1906|Sep}}style="text-align:center;" |5468{{dts|1929|Dec}}Name removed in December 1928
style="text-align:center;" |1990North Westernstyle="text-align:center;" |4624{{dts|1906|Oct}}style="text-align:center;" |5469{{dts|1932|Mar}}
style="text-align:center;" |1991Palmerstonstyle="text-align:center;" |4625{{dts|1906|Oct}}style="text-align:center;" |5470{{dts|1928|Feb}}
style="text-align:center;" |1992Presidentstyle="text-align:center;" |4626{{dts|1906|Oct}}style="text-align:center;" |5471{{dts|1933|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" |1993Richard Moonstyle="text-align:center;" |4627{{dts|1906|Oct}}style="text-align:center;" |5472{{dts|1933|Dec}}Superheated December 1926 to January 1932
style="text-align:center;" |1994Scottish Chiefstyle="text-align:center;" |4628{{dts|1906|Oct}}style="text-align:center;" |5473{{dts|1935|Sep}}Renumbered 25473 in 1935
style="text-align:center;" |1995Tornadostyle="text-align:center;" |4629{{dts|1906|Oct}}style="text-align:center;" |5481{{dts|1925|Sep}}LMS number never applied
style="text-align:center;" | 61Atalantastyle="text-align:center;" |4630{{dts|1906|Nov}}style="text-align:center;" |5474{{dts|1933|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" | 222Ivanhoestyle="text-align:center;" |4631{{dts|1903|Nov}}style="text-align:center;" |5475{{dts|1935|Jul}}
style="text-align:center;" | 291Leanderstyle="text-align:center;" |4632{{dts|1903|Nov}}style="text-align:center;" |5476{{dts|1931|Aug}}
style="text-align:center;" | 667Mazeppastyle="text-align:center;" |4633{{dts|1903|Nov}}style="text-align:center;" |5477{{dts|1933|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" |1304Prometheusstyle="text-align:center;" |4634{{dts|1906|Nov}}style="text-align:center;" |5478{{dts|1931|Aug}}
style="text-align:center;" |1676Prince of Walesstyle="text-align:center;" |4635{{dts|1906|Nov}}style="text-align:center;" |5479{{dts|1934|Nov}}Renamed Shakespeare from July 1911
style="text-align:center;" |1709Princess Maystyle="text-align:center;" |4636{{dts|1906|Nov}}style="text-align:center;" |5480{{dts|1928|Feb}}
style="text-align:center;" |2027Queen Empressstyle="text-align:center;" |4637{{dts|1906|Nov}}style="text-align:center;" |5482{{dts|1931|Oct}}
style="text-align:center;" |2052Stephensonstyle="text-align:center;" |4638{{dts|1906|Dec}}style="text-align:center;" |5483{{dts|1930|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" |2269William Cawkwellstyle="text-align:center;" |4639{{dts|1906|Dec}}style="text-align:center;" |5484{{dts|1931|Aug}}
style="text-align:center;" | 496Harlequinstyle="text-align:center;" |4680{{dts|1907|Sep}}style="text-align:center;" |5485{{dts|1930|Aug}}
style="text-align:center;" | 830Phosphorusstyle="text-align:center;" |4681{{dts|1907|Sep}}style="text-align:center;" |5486{{dts|1925|Jul}}LMS number never applied
style="text-align:center;" | 902Combermerestyle="text-align:center;" |4682{{dts|1907|Sep}}style="text-align:center;" |5487{{dts|1934|Oct}}
style="text-align:center;" | 937Princess Alicestyle="text-align:center;" |4683{{dts|1907|Sep}}style="text-align:center;" |5488{{dts|1934|Mar}}
style="text-align:center;" |2112Victoriastyle="text-align:center;" |4684{{dts|1907|Sep}}style="text-align:center;" |5490{{dts|1930|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" |1014Henry Bessemerstyle="text-align:center;" |4685{{dts|1905|Sep}}style="text-align:center;" |5489{{dts|1928|Mar}}
style="text-align:center;" |1135Prince Georgestyle="text-align:center;" |4686{{dts|1907|Sep}}style="text-align:center;" |5491{{dts|1934|Jun}}
style="text-align:center;" |1361Prosperostyle="text-align:center;" |4687{{dts|1907|Oct}}style="text-align:center;" |5554{{dts|1933|Jun}}Rebuilt with 4 cylinders in March 1915
style="text-align:center;" |1526Sanspareilstyle="text-align:center;" |4688{{dts|1907|Oct}}style="text-align:center;" |5492{{dts|1928|Nov}}
style="text-align:center;" |2161Jeanie Deansstyle="text-align:center;" |4689{{dts|1907|Oct}}style="text-align:center;" |5493{{dts|1925|Aug}}LMS number never applied
style="text-align:center;" | 322Adriaticstyle="text-align:center;" |4770{{dts|1908|Dec}}style="text-align:center;" |5494{{dts|1929|Jun}}
style="text-align:center;" | 884Greater Britainstyle="text-align:center;" |4771{{dts|1908|Dec}}style="text-align:center;" |5495{{dts|1930|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" | 887Fortunastyle="text-align:center;" |4772{{dts|1909|Jan}}style="text-align:center;" |5496{{dts|1932|Mar}}
style="text-align:center;" |1020Majesticstyle="text-align:center;" |4773{{dts|1909|Jan}}style="text-align:center;" |5497{{dts|1934|Nov}}
style="text-align:center;" |1483Red Gauntletstyle="text-align:center;" |4774{{dts|1909|Jan}}style="text-align:center;" |5498{{dts|1933|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" |1490Wellingtonstyle="text-align:center;" |4775{{dts|1909|Jan}}style="text-align:center;" |5499{{dts|1933|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" |1553Faradaystyle="text-align:center;" |4776{{dts|1909|Jan}}style="text-align:center;" |5500{{dts|1931|Oct}}
style="text-align:center;" |1571Herschelstyle="text-align:center;" |4777{{dts|1909|Jan}}style="text-align:center;" |5501{{dts|1929|Jan}}
style="text-align:center;" |2076Pheasantstyle="text-align:center;" |4778{{dts|1909|Jan}}style="text-align:center;" |5502{{dts|1934|Oct}}Renumbered 25502 in 1934
style="text-align:center;" |2116Greystokestyle="text-align:center;" |4779{{dts|1909|Jan}}style="text-align:center;" |5503{{dts|1925|Jul}}LMS number never applied
style="text-align:center;" |2621Ethelredstyle="text-align:center;" |4780{{dts|1909|Feb}}style="text-align:center;" |5504{{dts|1934|Nov}}Renumbered 25504 in 1934
style="text-align:center;" |2622Eunomiastyle="text-align:center;" |4781{{dts|1909|Feb}}style="text-align:center;" |5505{{dts|1928|Apr}}
style="text-align:center;" |2623Lord of the Islesstyle="text-align:center;" |4782{{dts|1909|Feb}}style="text-align:center;" |5506{{dts|1934|Mar}}
style="text-align:center;" |2624Saracenstyle="text-align:center;" |4783{{dts|1909|Feb}}style="text-align:center;" |5507{{dts|1928|Feb}}Superheated from February 1926; LMS number never applied
style="text-align:center;" |2625Bucklandstyle="text-align:center;" |4784{{dts|1909|Feb}}style="text-align:center;" |5508{{dts|1935|Aug}}Renumbered 25508 in 1935
style="text-align:center;" |2626Chillingtonstyle="text-align:center;" |4785{{dts|1909|Feb}}style="text-align:center;" |5509{{dts|1935|May}}Renumbered 25509 by LMS
style="text-align:center;" |2627President Lincolnstyle="text-align:center;" |4786{{dts|1905|Feb}}style="text-align:center;" |5510{{dts|1928|May}}
style="text-align:center;" |2628Bansheestyle="text-align:center;" |4787{{dts|1909|Feb}}style="text-align:center;" |5511{{dts|1935|Jul}}Renumbered 25511 in 1935
style="text-align:center;" |2629Terrierstyle="text-align:center;" |4788{{dts|1909|Mar}}style="text-align:center;" |5512{{dts|1928|Feb}}
style="text-align:center;" |2630Buffalostyle="text-align:center;" |4789{{dts|1909|Mar}}style="text-align:center;" |5513{{dts|1932|Mar}}
style="text-align:center;" |1406George Findlaystyle="text-align:center;" |4830{{dts|1909|Apr}}style="text-align:center;" |5514{{dts|1935|Aug}}Renumbered 25514 by LMS
style="text-align:center;" |1413Henry Cortstyle="text-align:center;" |4831{{dts|1909|Apr}}style="text-align:center;" |5515{{dts|1925|Sep}}LMS number never applied
style="text-align:center;" |1477Hugh Myddletonstyle="text-align:center;" |4832{{dts|1909|May}}style="text-align:center;" |5516{{dts|1928|Apr}}
style="text-align:center;" |1498Thomas Saverystyle="text-align:center;" |4833{{dts|1909|May}}style="text-align:center;" |5517{{dts|1925|Sep}}LMS number never applied
style="text-align:center;" |1566John Pennstyle="text-align:center;" |4834{{dts|1909|May}}style="text-align:center;" |5518{{dts|1933|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" |1603Princess Alexandrastyle="text-align:center;" |4835{{dts|1909|May}}style="text-align:center;" |5519{{dts|1930|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" |1649Sisyphusstyle="text-align:center;" |4836{{dts|1909|May}}style="text-align:center;" |5520{{dts|1932|Aug}}
style="text-align:center;" |1661Wordsworthstyle="text-align:center;" |4837{{dts|1909|May}}style="text-align:center;" |5521{{dts|1928|Jun}}
style="text-align:center;" |1781Lightningstyle="text-align:center;" |4838{{dts|1909|May}}style="text-align:center;" |5522{{dts|1930|May}}
style="text-align:center;" |2022Marlboroughstyle="text-align:center;" |4839{{dts|1909|May}}style="text-align:center;" |5523{{dts|1934|Apr}}
style="text-align:center;" |2637Babylonstyle="text-align:center;" |4840{{dts|1909|Jun}}style="text-align:center;" |5524{{dts|1932|Jan}}
style="text-align:center;" |2638Byzantiumstyle="text-align:center;" |4841{{dts|1909|Jun}}style="text-align:center;" |5525{{dts|1934|Jun}}Renumbered 25525 in 1934
style="text-align:center;" |2639Bactriastyle="text-align:center;" |4842{{dts|1909|Jun}}style="text-align:center;" |5526{{dts|1934|Apr}}
style="text-align:center;" |2640Belisariusstyle="text-align:center;" |4843{{dts|1909|Jun}}style="text-align:center;" |5527{{dts|1925|Sep}}LMS number never applied
style="text-align:center;" |2641Bellonastyle="text-align:center;" |4844{{dts|1909|Jun}}style="text-align:center;" |5528{{dts|1935|Aug}}Renumbered 25528 in 1935
style="text-align:center;" |2642Berenicestyle="text-align:center;" |4845{{dts|1909|Jun}}style="text-align:center;" |5529{{dts|1933|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" |2643Bacchusstyle="text-align:center;" |4846{{dts|1909|Jun}}style="text-align:center;" |5530{{dts|1927|Oct}}LMS number never applied
style="text-align:center;" |2644Berengariastyle="text-align:center;" |4847{{dts|1905|Jun}}style="text-align:center;" |5531{{dts|1934|Aug}}Renumbered 25531 in 1934
style="text-align:center;" |2645Britomartstyle="text-align:center;" |4848{{dts|1909|Jul}}style="text-align:center;" |5532{{dts|1934|Sep}}Renumbered 25532 in 1934
style="text-align:center;" |2646Bonifacestyle="text-align:center;" |4849{{dts|1909|Jul}}style="text-align:center;" |5533{{dts|1928|Sep}}
style="text-align:center;" |1412Bedfordshirestyle="text-align:center;" |4850{{dts|1909|Nov}}style="text-align:center;" |5534{{dts|1932|Jan}}
style="text-align:center;" |1418Cheshirestyle="text-align:center;" |4851{{dts|1909|Nov}}style="text-align:center;" |5535{{dts|1931|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" |1420Derbyshirestyle="text-align:center;" |4852{{dts|1909|Nov}}style="text-align:center;" |5536{{dts|1933|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" |1455Herefordshirestyle="text-align:center;" |4853{{dts|1909|Nov}}style="text-align:center;" |5537{{dts|1933|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" |1611Hertfordshirestyle="text-align:center;" |4854{{dts|1909|Nov}}style="text-align:center;" |5538{{dts|1925|Sep}}LMS number never applied
style="text-align:center;" |1618Lancashirestyle="text-align:center;" |4855{{dts|1909|Nov}}style="text-align:center;" |5539{{dts|1934|Mar}}
style="text-align:center;" |1624Leicestershirestyle="text-align:center;" |4856{{dts|1909|Nov}}style="text-align:center;" |5545{{dts|1933|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" |1652Middlesexstyle="text-align:center;" |4857{{dts|1909|Nov}}style="text-align:center;" |5546{{dts|1933|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" |1689Monmouthshirestyle="text-align:center;" |4858{{dts|1909|Dec}}style="text-align:center;" |5547{{dts|1932|Mar}}
style="text-align:center;" |1703Northumberlandstyle="text-align:center;" |4859{{dts|1909|Dec}}style="text-align:center;" |5548{{dts|1934|Mar}}
style="text-align:center;" | 71Oxfordshirestyle="text-align:center;" |4860{{dts|1909|Dec}}style="text-align:center;" |5540{{dts|1928|Apr}}
style="text-align:center;" | 275Shropshirestyle="text-align:center;" |4861{{dts|1909|Dec}}style="text-align:center;" |5541{{dts|1928|Sep}}
style="text-align:center;" | 677Staffordshirestyle="text-align:center;" |4862{{dts|1909|Dec}}style="text-align:center;" |5542{{dts|1933|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" |1002Warwickshirestyle="text-align:center;" |4863{{dts|1909|Dec}}style="text-align:center;" |5543{{dts|1930|Dec}}
style="text-align:center;" |1534Westmorlandshirestyle="text-align:center;" |4864{{dts|1909|Dec}}style="text-align:center;" |5544{{dts|1925|Sep}}LMS number never applied
style="text-align:center;" |1471Worcestershirestyle="text-align:center;" |4865{{dts|1910|Jan}}style="text-align:center;" |5549{{dts|1932|Mar}}
style="text-align:center;" |1561Yorkshirestyle="text-align:center;" |4866{{dts|1910|Jan}}style="text-align:center;" |5550{{dts|1928|Sep}}
style="text-align:center;" |1618Carnarvonshirestyle="text-align:center;" |4867{{dts|1910|Jan}}style="text-align:center;" |5551{{dts|1934|Mar}}
style="text-align:center;" |1621Denbighshirestyle="text-align:center;" |4868{{dts|1910|Jan}}style="text-align:center;" |5552{{dts|1935|Jun}}Renumbered 25552 by LMS
style="text-align:center;" |1658Flintshirestyle="text-align:center;" |4869{{dts|1910|Jan}}style="text-align:center;" |5553{{dts|1931|Jul}}

Accidents and incidents

  • On 15 October 1907, a mail train hauled by No. 2052 Stephenson was derailed at {{rws|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 {{rws|Diggle}}, Lancashire due to confusion by the driver of the freight train over flag signals. Four people were killed.{{cite book|title=Trains in Trouble|last=Trevena|first=Arthur|publisher=Atlantic Books|year=1980|isbn=0-906899-01-X|volume=1|location=Redruth|pages=24, 20}}

References

{{reflist}}

  • {{Baxter-BritishLocoCat2B}}
  • {{0-7110-0554-0|pages=65–66}}

External links

  • [http://lnwrs.zenfolio.com/p994247815 LNWR Society] Photographs of the Whale 4-6-0 Experiment class steam locomotives.

{{LNWR Locomotives}}

Experiment (Whale)

Category:4-6-0 locomotives

Category:2′C n2 locomotives

Category:2′C n4 locomotives

Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1905

Category:Standard-gauge steam locomotives of Great Britain

Category:Scrapped locomotives

Category:Passenger locomotives