LNWR Whale Precursor Class

The London and North Western Railway (LNWR) "Precursor" Class was a type of 4-4-0 ("American") steam locomotive designed by the company's Chief Mechanical Engineer, George Whale.[1][2] Introduced in 1904, it should not be confused with the LNWR 2-4-0 "Precursor" Class of 1874 designed by Francis Webb, the last example of which was scrapped in 1895.[3] In 1906, a 4-4-2T ("Atlantic") tank variant of Webb's engine, the "Precursor Tank" Class, also entered service.[4]

LNWR Precursor Class
No. 513, Precursor in photographic grey livery
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerGeorge Whale
BuilderLNWR Crewe Works
Serial number4415–4419, 4440–4504, 4510–4549, 4660–4679
Build date1904–1907
Total produced130
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-4-0
 • UIC2′B n2 or 2′B h2
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Driver dia.6 ft 9 in (2.057 m)
Loco weight59.15 long tons (60.10 t)
Boiler pressure175 psi (1.21 MPa)
CylindersTwo
Cylinder size19 in × 26 in (483 mm × 660 mm) or 20+1⁄2 in × 26 in (521 mm × 660 mm)
Valve gearJoy
Performance figures
Tractive effort18,222 lbf (81.1 kN) or 20,640 lbf (91.8 kN)
Career
OperatorsLondon and North Western Railway
→ London, Midland and Scottish Railway
→ British Railways
Power classLMS: 2P, 3P
Number in class1 January 1923: 130
1 January 1948: 1
Withdrawn1927–1949
DispositionAll scrapped

History

The Precursor Class was essentially a larger version of the LNWR "Improved Precedent" Class, being Whale's first attempt at producing a locomotive which would remove the requirement for express trains to be double headed (then standard practice on the LNWR).[5] 130 examples of the class were constructed at Crewe Works between March 1904 and August 1907,[6] their introduction allowing Whale to phase out the unreliable compound locomotives favoured by his predecessor, Francis Webb.[7][8][9] As built, they were saturated, although a small number were fitted with superheaters between February 1913 and September 1919.[3]

View of Precursor Class number 1117 Vandal and crew in front of Shrewsbury engine shed, soon after emerging from Crewe Works in November 1904.
Precursor Class no. 1117 Vandal at Shrewsbury engine shed, soon after emerging from Crewe Works in November 1904 (from an old postcard).[10]

Whilst the Precursors created issues for crews as some of the cab controls were difficult to operate or reach,[11] they were generally successful in terms of operating performance.[12] However, having apparently experienced difficulty keeping time on trials between Crewe and Carlisle, they were not used on heavier gradients such as the climb to Shap.[lower-alpha 1] A consequence of this was the introduction of an extended version of the Precursors, the 4-6-0 "Experiment" Class, in 1905.[14] Nevertheless, double heading was still necessary on many trains north of Preston due to accelerated schedules and increased loads.[15]

In 1919, the Precursors were developed by Whale's successor, Charles Bowen-Cooke, into the 4-4-0 superheated "George the Fifth" Class.[5][16] The main visual difference was that the Precursors had separate splashers over each of the driving wheels while the Georges had combined splashers that covered both pairs.

The LNWR reused numbers and names from withdrawn locomotives, with the result that the numbering system was completely haphazard. Starting with the first of the class 513 "Precursor" in 1913, were given superheaters, the process continuing until just after grouping in 1923. Most of the superheated engines were also converted from having slide valves to piston valves.

This resulted in two main subclasses; saturated locomotives with 19 by 26 inches (480 mm × 660 mm) cylinders, and superheated locomotives with 20.5 by 26 inches (520 mm × 660 mm) cylinders. The LMS gave them the power classification 3P. The saturated engines were given the LMS numbers in the 5187–5266 series, though not all survived long enough to receive them. The superheated engines were given the LMS numbers 5270–5319 (5267–5269 were not used).

The LMS continued to superheat engines until 1926, these rebuilds retained their LMS number. Also, three superheated engines became saturated via boiler swaps.

Withdrawals of the saturated engines started in 1927 and the last engine in as built condition was withdrawn in 1935. The four superheated engines which retained slide valves were withdrawn from 1931 to 1936. Withdrawals of the superheated engines with piston valves began in 1935. Those not withdrawn had 20000 added to their numbers from 1934 to 1937 to make room for Black Fives.

By the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, only 11 Precursors were still in service.[3][17] A single example, 25297 "Sirocco", was inherited by British Railways in 1948, but this was withdrawn in June 1949 before the number it had been allocated (58010) could be applied.[18][19]

None were preserved.

Accidents

Great Bridgeford

On 17 June 1932, locomotive number 5278 Precursor was hauling the 7:23 p.m. Crewe to Stafford and Birmingham New Street express passenger service when, at around 7:52 p.m., the engine and all four coaches derailed just to the south of Great Bridgeford station, Staffordshire.

Of the 70 to 80 passengers on board the train, three were killed immediately and a fourth died in hospital the next day. Together with the driver and fireman, 9 passengers received injuries serious enough to require hospital care, whilst a further 18 were treated at the scene and able to continue their journeys.[20][21]

Fleet list
Table of locomotives
LNWR No.[6]Name(s)[3][6]Crewe
Works No.[6]		Date built[6]LMS No.[3][17]Date withdrawn[lower-alpha 2]Notes
513Precursor4415March 19045278July 1936(f)(h)
1395Harbinger4416March 19045291June 1937(h)(i)
1419Tamerlane4417March 19045285March 1936(h)
2023Helvellyn4418April 19045187March 1936(h)(i)
2164Oberon4419May 19045277August 1946(h)(i)
2Simoom4440June 19045308October 1936(h)
7Titan4441June 19045276October 1935(h)
412Alfred Paget,
Marquis		4442June 19045188April 1940(a)(h)(i)
510Albatross4443June 19045189August 1933
659Dreadnought4444June 19045296May 1936(h)
639Ajax4445October 19045190September 1928
648Archimedes4446October 19045191January 1928
685Cossack4447October 19045192April 1932
60 Dragon4448October 19045298November 1938(h)(i)
106Druid4449October 19045294May 1937(h)(i)
301Leviathan4450November 19045289May 1936(h)
305Senator4451November 19045307February 1937(h)(i)
643Sirocco4452November 19045297June 1949(h)(i)(j)
1102Thunderbolt4453November 19045193September 1931
1117Vandal4454November 19045194October 1931
310Achilles4455December 19045290October 1936(h)
333Ambassador4456December 19045284August 1936(h)
515Champion4457December 19045282December 1939(h)(i)
622Euphrates4458December 19045195November 1927
638Huskisson4459December 19045196April 1933
303Himalaya4460January 19055305January 1936(f)(h)
645Mammoth4461January 19055197November 1930
806Swiftsure4462January 19055318October 1935(h)
1120Thunderer4463January 19055310August 1939(b)(h)(i)
1137Vesuvius4464February 19055299August 1936(h)(i)
323Argus4465February 19055303October 1936(f)(h)
1104Cedric4466February 19055199December 1933
1111Cerberus4467March 19055200September 1934
1431Egeria4468March 19055201November 1930
2064Jason4469March 19055273August 1931(g)(h)
40Niagara4470March 19055198November 1930
520Panopea4471March 19055202January 1934
1469Tantalus4472March 19055288March 1937(h)(i)
1737Viscount4473March 19055316July 1936(h)
2031Waverley4474March 19055203November 1931
365Alchymist4475April 19055287June 1937(h)(i)
1115Apollo4476April 19055205February 1928
1545Cyclops4477April 19055206May 1932
1573Dunrobin4478April 19055286September 1937(h)(i)
2061Eglinton4479April 19055207August 1936(h)(i)
184Havelock4480May 19055204September 1931
366Medusa4481May 19055292April 1945(h)(i)
519Messenger4482May 19055208November 1931
2120Trentham4483May 19055209October 1927
1430Victor4484May 19055210October 1931
113Aurania4485July 19055211September 1936(h)(i)
300Emerald4486July 19055301October 1935(h)
302Greyhound4487July 19055304January 1947(f)(h)(i)
315Harrowby4488July 19055212December 1936(h)(i)
688Hecate4489July 19055274October 1935(f)(h)
1509America4490July 19055214March 1928
1617Hydra4491August 19055300July 1940(h)(i)
1723Scorpion4492August 19055295November 1936(h)
2062Sunbeam4493August 19055279August 1939(h)(i)
2257Vulture4494August 19055215December 1933
311Emperor4495September 19055213May 1933(h)
374Empress4496September 19055317June 1936(h)
811Express4497September 19055311March 1941(b)(h)(i)
911Herald4498September 19055216February 1936(h)(i)
1114Knowsley4499September 19055217February 1933
1116Pandora4500September 19055218April 1936(h)(i)
1510Psyche4501September 19055219December 1930
1784Python4502October 19055220November 1931
2165Shooting Star4503October 19055280November 1935(h)
2202Vizier4504October 19055221December 1930
117Alaska4510October 19055222September 1933
1301Candidate4511October 19055225November 1936(h)(i)
1363Cormwall,
Brindley		4512October 19055272December 1939(c)(h)(i)
1396Harpy4513November 19055226November 1930
2007Oregon4514November 19055227October 1927
2012Penguin4515November 19055228October 1931
2115Servia4516November 19055229April 1932
127Snake4517November 19055223November 1936(h)(i)
229Stork4518November 19055224November 1927
1439Tiger4519November 19055275January 1933(g)(h)
2576Arab4520December 19055230September 1933
2577Etna4521December 19055313February 1936(h)
2578Fame4522December 19055309August 1936(h)
2579Ganymede4523December 19055231February 1936(h)
2580Problem4524December 19055232November 1931
2581Peel4525December 19055233August 1934
2582Rowland Hill4526December 19055234November 1928
2583Teutonic,
The Tsar,
Moonstone		4527December 19055235April 1935(d)
2584Velocipede4528January 19065312December 1935(e)(h)
2585Watt4529January 19065236December 1933
723Coptic4530February 19065239January 1936(h)
837Friar4531February 19065240October 1933
1312Ionic4532February 19065242November 1930
1387Lang Meg4533March 19065306February 1936(f)(h)
1642Lapwing4534March 19065243November 1935(h)
2513Levens4535March 19065293June 1939(h)(i)
234Pearl4536March 19065237February 1932
526Ilion4537March 19065238December 1928
1311Napoleon4538March 19065241January 1936(h)
2017Tubal4539March 19065244November 1935(h)
282Alaric4540April 19065314November 1935(h)
561Antaeus4541April 19065245March 1941(h)(i)
675Adjutant4542April 19065246February 1936(h)
772Admiral4543April 19065247October 1927
804Amphion4544April 19065248October 1935(h)
990Bucephalus4545April 19065319December 1940(h)(i)
988Bellerophon4546April 19065249June 1933
1433Faerie Queene4547April 19065250November 1935(h)
1650Richard Trevithick4548May 19065251February 1928
1787Hyperion4549May 19065252December 1930
1Clive4660June 19075253November 1930
218Daphne4661June 19075254August 1933
419Monarch4662June 19075255December 1930
564Erebus4663June 19075281September 1936(h)
665Mersey4664June 19075256October 1927
469Marmion4665June 19075270May 1936(f)
1011Locke4666July 19075257January 1933
1364Clyde4667July 19075258November 1930
2053Edith4668July 19075259March 1934
2181Eleanor4669July 19075260December 1933
276Doric4670July 19075261November 1927
754Celtic4671July 19075262December 1930
802Gaelic4672July 19075271November 1931(g)
807Oceanic4673August 19075263December 1933
976Pacific4674August 19075264November 1928
1297Phalaris4675August 19075265October 1931
1309Shamrock4676August 19075302June 1937(f)(h)(i)
1516Alecto4677August 19075266October 1931
2011Brougham4678August 19075283March 1936(h)
2051Delamere4679August 19075315September 1936(h)

  (a) Name changed November 1904.[23]
  (b) Name removed September 1936.[24]
  (c) Name changed May 1911.[25][24]
  (d) Name changed November 1914 and December 1915.[23]
  (e) Name removed August 1933.[24]
  (f) Superheater fitted.
  (g) Superheater fitted but later removed.
  (h) Converted to LNWR George the Fifth Class.
  (i) 20000 added to LMS number.
  (j) Allocated, but never carried number 58010 by British Railways.

See also

Notes
  1. A photograph in The Railway Magazine also shows a Webb compound "Jubilee" Class locomotive piloting 282 Alaric on a London to Holyhead express near Harrow in 1917.[13]
  2. Although the withdrawal dates listed are drawn from both Baxter[3] and Yaedon,[17] information from the latter was preferred in the 10 instances where these sources disagreed. Two of Baxter's dates appear to be misprints, namely June 1947 for 25297 Sirocco, and June 1957 for 25302 Shamrock. There are 7 further discrepancies of one month, and one of two months. Differences of a single month could possibly be explained by Yaedon's method of correcting for the fact that until August 1927, LMS stock returns were based on calendar months, but then the company accountants decided to split the year up into periods of 4 weeks.[22]

References
  1. "Four-coupled Passenger Locomotive". The Engineer. Vol. 97. London. 8 April 1904. p. 362 – via Internet Archive.
  2. "Train Experiments on the London and North-western Railway". The Engineer. Vol. 97. 15 April 1904. p. 387 – via Internet Archive.
  3. Baxter, Bertram (1979). Baxter, David (ed.). British Locomotive Catalogue 1825–1923, Volume 2B: London and North Western Railway and its constituent companies. Ashbourne: Moorland Publishing Company. pp. 260–264. ISBN 0903485842.
  4. "Passenger Tank Engines. No. V". The Engineer. Vol. 110. London. 23 September 1910. pp. 336–337 – via Internet Archive.
  5. Steel, Wilfred L. (1914). The History of the London & North Western Railway. London: The Railway and Travel Monthly. pp. 467–470 – via Internet Archive.
  6. Williams, C. (1922). A Register Of All Locomotives Now In Use On The London & North Western Railway. Crewe: C. Williams – via Internet Archive.
  7. Reed, M. C. (1996). The London & North Western Railway: A History. Penryn: Atlantic Transport Publishers. pp. 178–180. ISBN 0906899664 – via Internet Archive.
  8. Griffiths, Denis (1991). Locomotive Engineers of the LMS and its Major English Constituent Companies. Sparkford: Patrick Stephens. pp. 64, 69. ISBN 1852601426 – via Internet Archive.
  9. Yeadon, Willie B. (1995). A Compendium of LNWR Locomotives 1912–1949. Part One: Passenger Tender Engines. Nottingham: Booklaw/Railbus. p. 39. ISBN 1899624368.
  10. Patrick, David J. (2007). The Railway Photographs of P. W. Pilcher. Chester: London & North Western Railway Society. pp. 12, 75. ISBN 9780954695149.
  11. Griffiths (1991), p. 63.
  12. "Railway Matters". The Engineer. Vol. 98. London. 28 October 1904. p. 419 – via Internet Archive.
  13. Mackay, F. E. (1917). "London and North Western Railway". The Railway Magazine. Vol. 41. London. p. 399 – via HathiTrust.
  14. Lake, Charles S. "British Locomotive Practice in 1905". The Engineering Review. New series. Vol. 8, no. 8. pp. 174–177 – via Internet Archive.
  15. Griffiths (1991), p. 150.
  16. "Superheating on London and North-Western Locomotives". The Engineer. Vol. 110. London. 7 October 1910. p. 394 – via Internet Archive.
  17. Yeadon (1995), pp. 41–42, 49
  18. Casserley, H. C. (1973). Steam Locomotives of British Railways. London: Hamlyn Publishing. pp. 73, 342. ISBN 0600022102 – via Internet Archive.
  19. Yeadon (1995), p. 48
  20. Hoole, Ken (1982). Trains in Trouble. Vol. 3. Redruth: Atlantic Books. p. 29. ISBN 0906899052.
  21. Mount, A. H. L. (5 January 1933). Report on Train Accidents – London, Midland and Scottish Railway (PDF) (Report). London: Ministry of Transport.
  22. Yeadon (1995), p. v.
  23. Yeadon (1995), pp. 41–42
  24. Yeadon (1995), p. 49
  25. Whitaker, J. R. (1917). "London and North Western Railway Engines [letter]". The Railway Magazine. Vol. 41. London. p. 193 – via HathiTrust.

Sources
  • Casserley, H. C. & Johnston, Stuart W. (1974) [1966]. Locomotives at the Grouping 3: London, Midland and Scottish Railway. Shepperton, Surrey: Ian Allan. pp. 62–64. ISBN 0-7110-0554-0.
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