LNWR Precursors
- The LNWR Precursor Family
- Precursors, Experiments, Georges, Princes
- by O.S.Nock
- The London & North Western's 'Precursor Family' of express passenger locomotives, conceived in great urgency in 1903 to meet demands for greatly increased power, was developed at Crewe into four distinct classes.
- The 'Precursor' itself, completed in march 1904 was the work of George Whales, and was the first of a class of 130 locomotives, built against time in 1904-7. The six-coupled 'Experiment' class followed, 105 strong, and before this class was completed Whale had been succeeded as Chief Mechanical Engineer by C.J.Bowen-Cooke. Under his distinguished administration both 'Precursors' and 'Experiments' were notably developed with super-heated boilers, piston valves, and a very different setting of the Joy valve gear. The result, particularly in respect of the 'George the Fifth' class 4-4-0s, was one of the most remarkable engine classes ever to run in Great Britain. Ultimately the 'Precursor' family of express passenger locomotives mustered a total of 571, including the final number - the Walschaert valve gear 'Prince of Wales' 4-6-0 LMSR No.5845, built by Bearmores, for exhibition at Wembley in 1924.
- In this book O.S.Nock traces the history of this celebrated family of locomotives, documenting his account with a plethora of detail as to design and performance, and accompanied by many drawings specially prepared from the originals at Crewe Works.
- Appendicies give the complete list of names, numbers and dates, together with the new numbers taken after the LNWR became part of the LMSR.
- 160 pages, 1966, Case bound, 7¾" x 10", 670g
- No ISBN
- New — Out of Print
- Pre-Owned, excellent, minor cover rubbing and cover wear
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- 160 pages, 1966, reprinted in USA 1968, Case bound, 7¾" x 10", 670g
- Pre-Owned, very good, usual cover rubbing and cover wear etc, price clipped — SOLD
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