LNER Class A4

The LNER Class A4 was a type of steam locomotive made in England in 1935. It was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley for the London North Eastern Railway. 35 locomotives were built in total.

LNER Class A4
60009 Union of South Africa in 1951
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) 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 tons 19 cwt (230,600 lb or 104.6 t) Total weight 167 tons 2 cwt (374,300 lb or 169.8 t) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 8 tons 0 cwt (17,900 lb or 8.1 t) Water cap 5,000 imperial gallons (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 60009, 60007 & 60019 have been fitted with air brakes[1]
Performance figures Maximum speed 90 miles per hour (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Numbers LNER: 2509–2512, 4462–4469, 4482–4500, 4900–4903, LNER 1–34 (not in order), BR: 60001–60034 Nicknames "Streak" Withdrawn 1942, 1962–1966 Disposition 6 preserved

Three A4s that have been saved called 60009 Union of South Africa, 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley and 60019 Bittern.

They were designed to be very fast and had a very sleek shape. One of them, 4468 "Mallard", is the fastest steam locomotive ever made. It set a world speed record of 125 mph (201.16 km/h) on July 3, 1938.

Six A4s still exist today. The rest were scrapped when steam stopped being used to power trains in Britain.