LNWR Greater Britain class
LNWR No. 2053 Greater Britain
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerF. W. Webb
BuilderCrewe Works
Serial number3292, 3435, 3472–3479
Build date1892–1894
Total produced10
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte2-2-2-2
 • UIC1AA1 n3v
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Leading dia.3 ft 10+1⁄2 in (1,181 mm), plus 3 in (76 mm) tyres
Driver dia.6 ft 10 in (2.083 m)
Trailing dia.3 ft 10+1⁄2 in (1,181 mm), plus 3 in (76 mm) tyres
Wheelbase
  • 8 ft 5 in (2.565 m) +
  • 8 ft 3 in (2.515 m) +
  • 7 ft 3 in (2.210 m)
Loco weight52 long tons (53 t)
Fuel typeCoal
Water cap.2,000 imp gal (9,100 L; 2,400 US gal)
Boiler:
​
 • Diameter4 ft 3 in (1.295 m)
 • Tube plates18 ft 6 in (5.639 m)
Heating surface1,505.7 sq ft (139.88 m2)
CylindersThree, compound: two outside high pressure for trailing drivers, one inside low pressure for leading drivers
High-pressure cylinder15 in × 24 in (381 mm × 610 mm)
Low-pressure cylinder30 in × 24 in (762 mm × 610 mm)
Valve gearStephenson, Slip-eccentric.
Career
OperatorsLondon and North Western Railway
ScrappedMarch 1906 – July 1907
DispositionAll scrapped

The London and North Western Railway (LNWR) Greater Britain class was a class of ten 2-2-2-2 steam locomotives designed for express passenger work by F. W. Webb.

History

The first of the ten locomotives was built in October 1891, and a second followed in May 1893; the remaining eight came from Crewe Works in April and May 1894.

They were three-cylinder compound locomotives: the two outside high pressure cylinders drove the trailing drivers via Howe-Stephenson valve gear, the one inside low pressure cylinder drive the leading drivers via a slip eccentric. There was no connection between the two sets of drivers.

All the locomotives were named; one unusual feature (shared with the John Hick class) was that the names were split over two nameplates, one on each driving wheel splasher. This necessitated the use of two-word names, rather than some of the abbreviated names the LNWR had previously used.

They continued in service until Webb's retirement. His successor, George Whale preferred simple superheated locomotives; consequently they were all scrapped between 1906 and 1907.

Fleet list

References

  1. ↑ Baxter 1979, p. 196.
  • 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.
  • LNWR Society Photographs of the Webb 2-2-2-2 Greater Britain class steam locomotives.
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