<kuid:4468:6011> 4-6-2 A4 BR Blue

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The A4 Pacific 4-6-2 designed by Sir Nigel Gresley Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London and North Eastern Railway (1923-1941), was designed to compete with and beat the speed record of 114 mph set by Stanier's LMS Coronation Pacific. Gresley achieved this goal by taking and holding the World Speed record for Steam set on the 3rd July 1938 at a measured 126 mph (202 kph). The locomotive in question was the now famous Mallard, built in 1937 at a cost of 8,500 (Pounds Stirling) and not withdrawn from service until 1963.

Thirty five examples of the A4 Pacific were built, the first being 'Silver Link' operating the 'Silver Jubilee' express passenger train service between Kings Cross, London to Newcastle via Darlington. No later steam design ever replaced the A4 from service over the prime routes such as the 'The Elizabethan' between London and Edinburgh non-stop. Developed in a series of wind tunnel tests, the body evolved to minimise aerodynamic drag, but also featured an effect to ensure clearance of the smoke away from the drivers view.

Enlarged steam passages from the regulator to the blastpipe made for extremely good free-running and additional firebox volume in the form of a combustion chamber helped steam production and was matched by a Kylchap double-chimney exhaust system, which was initially limited to a few locomotives but later retrofitted to the entire fleet.

The first A4s were painted in Silver schemes, then LNER Green locomotives were introduced and used as general service locomotives and given bird names, while others were painted in Garter Blue carrying Empire names such as 'Union Of South Africa' and 'Dominion of Canada'. Eventually all A4s wore the Garter Blue scheme but as WW2 came about they were repainted in black and heavily loaded, 4469 'Sir Ralph Wedgewood' being lost in an air raid in York. During this period, much of the side skirting was also removed to facilitate fast maintenance of a vital component of the war effort. Over time many were renamed in honour of various individuals that included of course 'Sir Nigel Gresley', but also 'Dwight D. Eisenhower' and many others.

Leading particulars include: Total Weight 169.7 Tonnes, Tractive Effort 35,492 lbs, Adhesive Weight 148,000 lbs, Steam Pressure 250 psi, 80' Driving wheels, Three 18.5' x 26' Cylinders.

Designed and used primarily as a Passenger Express, six remain preserved and some are in fact under renovation including 'Bittern' the story of which can be found http://www.watercressline.co.uk/tw/pages/bittern1.htm

BR LNER
No. No. Name

60001 4500 Sir Ronald Matthews (Originally named 'Garganey')
60002 4499 Sir Murrough Wilson (Originally named 'Pochard')
60005 4901 Sir Charles Newton (Originally named 'Capercaillie')
60006 4466 Sir Ralph Wedgewood (Originally named 'Herring Gull') *
60007 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley
60028 4487 Walter K. Whigham (Originally named 'Sea Eagle')
60029 4493 Woodcock
60030 4495 Golden Fleece (Originally named 'Great Snipe')
60033 4902 Seagull
60034 4903 Lord Faringdon (Originally named 'Peregrine')

* 4469 originally named 'Gadwall' was renamed as 'Sir Ralph Wedgewood' but subsequently destroyed by bombing during WW2, the name was then transferred to 4466.

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This rendition of the A4 Pacific is my attempt to update the first GMAX loco I created for Trainz and hopefully embodies most of what I've learnt over a series of steam locos since that first attempt. Throughout this period I have been ably supported, redirected and generally kept on the right track by the tireless efforts in 'testing' and research by Sir John Ewan (JWEwan).