View source for LNER Class A4

{{Short description|British steam locomotive class (built 1935)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox locomotive
| name             = LNER Class A4 
| powertype        = Steam
| image            = Up Capitals Limited express on the ECML at Wymondley, south of Hitchin 2282866.jpg
| imagesize        = 330px
| caption          = 60009 ''[[LNER Class A4 4488 Union of South Africa|Union of South Africa]]'' in 1951
| designer         = [[Nigel Gresley]]
| builder          = LNER [[Doncaster Works]]
| serialnumber     =
| buildmodel       =
| builddate        = 1935–1938
| totalproduction  = 35
| whytetype        = {{whyte|4-6-2}}
| uicclass         = 2′C1′ h3
| gauge            = {{Track gauge|ussg|allk=on}}
| trucks           =
| bogies           =
| leadingdiameter  = {{convert|3|ft|2|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
| driverdiameter   = {{convert|6|ft|8|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
| trailingdiameter = {{convert|3|ft|8|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
| wheelbase        =
| length           = {{convert|71|ft|3/8|in|m|3|abbr=on}} (Inc. Tender)
| width            = {{convert|9|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}
| height           = {{convert|13|ft|1|in|m|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}
| frametype        =
| axleload         =
| weightondrivers  =
| locoweight       = {{long ton|102|19}}
| locotenderweight = {{long ton|167|2}}
| fueltype         = [[Coal]]
| fuelcap          = {{long ton|8|0}}
| sandcap          =
| watercap         = {{convert|5000|impgal|abbr=on}}
| tendercap        =
| consumption      =
| watercons        =
| electricsystem   =
| cylindercount    = Three: two outside, one inside
| cylindersize     = {{convert|18.5|x|26|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| boilerpressure   = {{convert|250|psi|MPa|2|abbr=on|lk=on}}
| transmission     =
| maxspeed         = {{convert|90|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in regular service ({{convert|126.4|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} maximum recorded)
| poweroutput      =
| tractiveeffort   = {{convert|35455|lbf|kN|2|abbr=on|lk=on}}
| factorofadhesion =
| locobrakes       = [[Vacuum brake|Vacuum]]
| trainbrakes      = Vacuum<br/>60007, 60009 & 60019 have been fitted with air brakes<ref name="P5Pres">{{cite book | last = Fox | first = Peter |author2=Hall, Peter |author3=Pritchard, Robert | title = Preserved Locomotives of British Railways | publisher = [[Platform 5]], Sheffield | year = 2007 | edition = Twelfth | isbn = 978-1-902336-57-2}}</ref>
| safety           =
| operator         = [[London and North Eastern Railway]], [[British Railways]]
| operatorclass    = A4
| powerclass       = BR: 8P6F
| numinclass       = 35
| fleetnumbers     = LNER (until 1946/47): 2509–2512, 4462–4469, 4482–4500, 4900–4903;<br>LNER (from 1946/47): 1–34 (not in order);<br>BR: 60001–60034
| officialname     =
| nicknames        = "Streak"
| locale           = [[East Coast Main Line]]
| deliverydate     =
| firstrundate     =
| lastrundate      =
| withdrawndate    = 1942 (1), 1962–1966
| restoredate      =
| scrapdate        =
| currentowner     =
| disposition      = Six preserved, remainder [[scrap]]ped.
| preservedunits = [[LNER Class A4 4488 Union of South Africa|4488]], [[LNER Class A4 4489 Dominion of Canada|4489]], [[LNER Class A4 4464 Bittern|4464]], [[LNER Class A4 4496 Dwight D Eisenhower|4496]], [[LNER Class A4 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley|4498]], [[LNER Class A4 4468 Mallard|4468]]
| valvegear        = {{ubl|Outside: [[Walschaerts valve gear|Walschaerts]]|Inside: [[Gresley conjugated valve gear|Gresley conjugated]]}}
}}
The '''LNER Class A4''' is a class of streamlined [[4-6-2]] [[steam locomotive|steam locomotives]] designed by [[Nigel Gresley]] for the [[London and North Eastern Railway]] in 1935. Their streamlined design gave them high-speed capability as well as making them instantly recognisable, and one of the class, [[LNER Class A4 4468 Mallard|4468 ''Mallard'']], holds the record as the world's fastest steam locomotive. Thirty-five of the class were built to haul express passenger trains on the [[East Coast Main Line]] route from [[London King's Cross railway station|London Kings Cross]] via [[York railway station|York]] to [[Newcastle railway station|Newcastle]], and later via Newcastle to [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station|Edinburgh]]. They remained in service on the East Coast Main Line until the early 1960s when they were replaced by [[British Rail Class 55|Deltic]] diesel locomotives; they themselves proving to be worthy successors to the A4s.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marsden |first1=Richard |title=The Gresley A4 Pacifics |url=https://www.lner.info/locos/A/a4.php |website=LNER Encyclopedia |publisher=Winwaed Software Technology LLC |access-date=18 October 2020}}</ref> Several A4s saw out their remaining days until 1966 in Scotland, particularly on the Aberdeen – Glasgow express trains, for which they were used to improve the timing from 3.5 to 3 hours.

== Overview ==
Gresley introduced the Class A4 [[locomotive]]s in 1935 to haul [[Streamliner|streamlined]] ''[[Silver Jubilee (train)|Silver Jubilee]]'' trains between [[London King's Cross railway station|London King's Cross]] and [[Newcastle railway station|Newcastle]]. The service was named in celebration of the [[Silver Jubilee of George V]].

During a visit to Germany in 1933, Gresley had been inspired by high-speed streamlined ''[[Flying Hamburger]]'' diesel trains. The [[London and North Eastern Railway]] (LNER) had considered purchasing similar trains for use from London to Newcastle but the diesel units of the time did not have sufficient passenger-carrying capacity and the capital investment in the new technology was prohibitive.

Gresley was sure that steam could do equally well with a decent fare-paying load behind the locomotive. Following trials in 1935 in which one of his [[LNER Gresley Classes A1 and A3|A3 Pacifics]], No. [[LNER Class A3 2750 Papyrus | 2750 ''Papyrus'']], recorded a new maximum of {{convert|108|mph|km/h|1|abbr=on}} and completed the journey in under four hours, the LNER's Chief General Manager [[Sir Ralph Wedgwood, 1st Baronet|Ralph Wedgwood]] authorised Gresley to produce a streamlined development of the A3.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hughes|first=Geoffrey|title=Sir Nigel Gresley: The Engineer and his Family|year=2001|publisher=The Oakwood Press|isbn=0-85361-579-9|pages=128–129}}</ref> Initially four locomotives were built, all with the word 'silver' in their names. The first was [[LNER Class A4 2509 Silver Link|2509 ''Silver Link'']], followed by 2510 ''Quicksilver'', 2511 ''Silver King'' and 2512 ''Silver Fox''. During a press run to publicise the service, ''Silver Link'' twice achieved a speed of {{convert|112.5|mph|km/h|1|abbr=on}}, breaking the British speed record, and sustained an average of {{convert|100|mph|km/h|1|abbr=on}} over a distance of {{convert|43|miles|km|1|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite book |last=Nock |first=O.S. |title=The Locomotives of Sir Nigel Gresley |location=London |publisher=The Railway Publishing Co. |year=1945 |page=129}}</ref>

Following the commercial success of the ''Silver Jubilee'' train, other streamlined services were introduced: ''[[The Coronation (train)|The Coronation]]'' (London-Edinburgh, July 1937) and the ''[[West Riding Limited]]'' (Bradford & Leeds-London & return, November 1937) for which more A4s were built.

==Design==
The A4 Pacifics were designed for high-speed passenger services. The application of internal streamlining to the steam circuit, higher boiler pressure and the extension of the firebox to form a combustion chamber all contributed to a more efficient locomotive than the A3; consumption of coal and water were reduced. A further design improvement was fitting a [[Kylchap]] double-chimney, first on No. 4468 ''Mallard'' in March 1938.  The double-chimney improved the capability of the locomotives further, and the last three locomotives of the class (4901 ''Capercaillie'', [[LNER Class A4 4902 Seagull|4902 ''Seagull'']] and 4903 ''Peregrine'') were fitted with the Kylchap exhaust from new and the rest of the class acquired it in the late 1950s.
[[File:LNER_A4.jpg|thumb|left|A painting of an unidentified A4, showing its original appearance with streamlined skirts covering the wheels.]]
The class was noted for its [[streamliner|streamlined]] design, which not only improved its aerodynamics, increasing its speed capabilities, but also created an updraught to lift smoke away from the driver's line of vision, a problem inherent in many steam locomotives particularly those operated with short cut off valve events; fitting smoke deflectors was an alternative solution.<ref name=Allen>{{cite book |title=Locomotive Practice & Performance |first=Cecil J |last=Allen}}</ref>{{rp|56}} The distinctive design made it a particularly attractive subject for artists, photographers and film-makers. The A4 Class locomotives were known by [[Trainspotters in the United Kingdom|trainspotters]] as "streaks".

The streamlining side skirts (side valances) designed by [[Oliver Bulleid]] to [[aerofoil]] shape that were fitted to all the A4 locomotives, were removed during the Second World War to improve access to the valve gear for maintenance and were not replaced.<ref name=Robertson>{{cite book |last=Robertson |first=Kevin |title=The Leader Project: Fiasco or Triumph? |location=Oxford |publisher=Oxford Publishing Company Ltd. |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-86093-606-0}}</ref> This apart, the A4 was one of few streamlined steam locomotive designs in the world to retain its casing throughout its existence. Many similar designs, including the contemporary [[LMS Coronation Class|Coronation Class]], had their streamlining removed or cancelled to cut costs, simplify maintenance and increase driver visibility.

==World record==
[[File:Mallard Record Plate 01.jpg|thumb|left|Plaque on ''Mallard'' in commemoration of breaking the previous world speed record of 124.5 mph]]
On 3 July 1938, [[LNER Class A4 4468 Mallard|4468 ''Mallard'']] - the first of the class to enter service with the [[Kylchap]] exhaust - pulling six coaches and a [[dynamometer car]], set a world speed record (indicated by the [[dynamometer]]) of {{convert|126|mph|km/h|1|abbr=on}}. Gresley never accepted it as the record-breaking maximum. He claimed this speed could only have been attained over a few yards, though he was comfortable that the German speed record of {{convert|124.5|mph |km/h|1|abbr=on}} had been surpassed.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hughes|first=Geoffrey|title=Sir Nigel Gresley: The Engineer and his Family|year=2001|publisher=The Oakwood Press|isbn=0-85361-579-9|page=147}}</ref> Close analysis of the dynamometer roll (currently at the NRM) of the record run confirms that ''Mallard'''s speed did in fact exceed that of the German [[DRG Class 05|BR&nbsp;05&nbsp;002]].<ref name=Speed>{{cite book |title=Speed on the East Coast Mainline |first=P |last=Semmens}}</ref>{{rp|64}} The ''Mallard'' record reached its maximum speed on a downhill run and failed technically in due course, whereas 05&nbsp;002's journey was on level grade and the engine did not yet seem to be at its limit.<ref name="FastestSteamLoco">{{Cite web |url=http://www.germansteam.co.uk/FastestLoco/fastestloco.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060420181235/http://www.germansteam.co.uk/FastestLoco/fastestloco.html |url-status=dead |title=Fastest Steam Locomotive |archivedate=20 April 2006 |website=www.germansteam.co.uk}}</ref> On the other hand, the German train was four coaches long (197 tons), but Mallard's train had seven coaches (240 tons).<ref name="FastestSteamLoco" />
One fact, often ignored when considering rival claims, is that Gresley and the LNER had just one serious attempt at the record, which was far from a perfect run with a 15&nbsp;mph permanent way check just north of Grantham; despite this a record was set.<ref name=Yeadon73>{{cite book |last1=Boddy |first1=M.G. |last2=Neve |first2=E. |last3=Yeadon |first3=W.B. |editor-last=Fry |editor-first=E.V. |title=Locomotives of the L.N.E.R., part 2A: Tender Engines – Classes A1 to A10 |date=April 1973 |publisher=[[Railway Correspondence and Travel Society|RCTS]] |location=Kenilworth |isbn=0-901115-25-8 }}</ref>{{rp|125}} Gresley planned another attempt in September 1939, but was prevented by the outbreak of World War II.{{r|Yeadon73|p=126}} Prior to the record run on 3 July 1938, it was calculated that {{convert|130|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} was possible; Driver Duddington and LNER Inspector Sid Jenkins both said they might well have achieved this figure had they not had to slow for the Essendine junctions.{{r|Yeadon73|p=125}}

At the end of ''Mallard'''s record run, the middle big end (part of the motion for the inside cylinder) ran hot (indicated by the bursting of a heat-sensitive "stink bomb" placed in the bearing for warning purposes), the bearing metal had melted and the locomotive had to stop at [[Peterborough]] rather than continue to London.{{r|Yeadon73|pp=103,126}} Deficiencies in the alignment of the [[Gresley conjugated valve gear|Gresley-Holcroft derived motion]] meant that the inside cylinder of the A4 did more work at high speed than the two outside cylinders – on at least one occasion this led to the middle big end wearing to such an extent that the increased piston travel knocked the ends off the middle cylinder<ref name="cjallen">{{cite book |last=Allen |first=CJ |title=Two Million Miles of Train Travel |isbn=0-7110-0298-3}}</ref> – and this overloading was mostly responsible for the failure.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}}

{{Clear left}}

== Performance in service ==
No other British steam locomotives have a longer or more consistent record of high speed running than the A4s. Instances of 100&nbsp;mph running by them must exceed those of all other types combined,<ref>{{cite book |title=Locomotive Performance |first=R |last=Nelson |page=12}}</ref> though {{cvt|90|mph|km/h}} running was a relatively rare event with steam traction, much less {{cvt|100|mph|km/h}}. A4s operated on the East Coast Main Line which has more opportunities for high speed running (particularly Stoke Bank) than any other in the UK.
[[File:George Haygreen (left) on his retirement day with Charlie Fisher.jpg|thumb|George Henry Haygreen (left) on his retirement day with Fireman Charlie Fisher]]
In August 1936, the Silver Jubilee train on the descent of Stoke Bank headed by No. 2512 ''Silver Fox'' driven by George Henry Haygreen achieved a maximum of {{convert|113|mph|km/h|1|abbr=on}}, then the highest speed attained in Britain with an ordinary passenger train.<ref>{{cite book|last=Jones|first=Robin|title=Mallard 75|year=2013|publisher=Mortons Media Group Ltd|location=Horncastle|isbn=978-1-909128-15-6|page=54}}</ref> 
The fastest recorded post-war speed with British steam was also recorded by an A4. This occurred on 23 May 1959 on the Stephenson Locomotive Society Golden Jubilee special when No. 60007 ''Sir Nigel Gresley'' achieved 112&nbsp;mph when hauling 400 tons down Stoke Bank. The driver, Bill Hoole, had hoped for an attempt to beat Mallard's record, but [[Alan Pegler]], who was on the footplate and mindful of the risks, told him to ease off.{{r|Speed|pp=90–92}}

Although A4s were primarily designed for high speed express work they were also capable of high power outputs. In 1940, 4901 ''Capercaillie'' exerted 2,200 [[Horsepower#Drawbar power|drawbar horsepower]] on the straight and level track north of York when hauling 21 coaches (730 tons gross) at an average of {{cvt|75.9|mph|km/h}} for {{cvt|25|mi|km}}.{{r|Allen|p=153}} On W.A. Tuplin's method for grading steam locomotive performance based on both power output and duration of effort, this was the highest value ever achieved by any British locomotive, at Grade 26.<ref>{{cite book |title=British Steam since 1900 |first1=W.A |last1=Tuplin |first2=George |last2=Allen |publisher=Unwin / Pan Books}}{{page needed|date=March 2019}}</ref>

The highest recorded power output from an A4 was 2,450 drawbar horsepower when ''Mallard'' itself was hauling 11 coaches (390 tons tare, 415 tons gross) ''up'' Stoke Bank at a sustained {{cvt|80|mph|km/h}} in 1963.<ref>{{cite book |title=British Locomotives of the 20th Century vol 3: 1960–the present day |first=O.S. |last=Nock |pages=89–91 |author-link=O. S. Nock |year=1985 |publisher=Guild Publishing/Book Club Associates |location=London |id=CN9613 }}</ref> [[O. S. Nock]] thought this performance superior to Mallard's world record run in 1938. An A4 with the same load on a "good run" would be doing about {{cvt|50 to 60|mph|km/h}} at the summit of Stoke Bank. On a run on 8 September 1961 ''Mallard'' had its train travelling at {{cvt|78|mph|km/h}}.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=The Railway Magazine |date=July 2013 |pages=16–17 |title=Practice & Performance: New Light on ... ''Mallard'' the Magnificent |first=Keith |last=Farr |editor-last=Pigott |editor-first=Nick |editor-link=Nick Pigott |issn=0033-8923 |publisher=Mortons Media Group |location=Horncastle |volume=159 |issue=1347 }}</ref>

==Post-war history==
[[File:Peterborough North 3 geograph-2284111-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|thumb|No. 60034 ''[[LNER Class A4 60034 Lord Faringdon|Lord Faringdon]]'' hauling a train at [[Peterborough railway station]] in 1959.]]
Although newer Pacifics had been introduced since the war and the streamlined trains were never reinstated, the A4s continued on top link duties, notably on the London to Edinburgh services.

Even after the war was over, the A4s still continued to perform non-stop services. In August 1948, No. 60028 ''Walter K. Whigham'' managed to perform a non-stop service run from King's Cross to Edinburgh, setting the record for distance travelled for 408.65 miles. It would hold this record until No. 4472 ''Flying Scotsman'''s visit to Australia in 1988.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marsden |first1=Richard |title=The Gresley A4 Pacifics |url=https://www.lner.info/locos/A/a4.php |website=LNER Encyclopedia |publisher=Winwaed Software Technology LLC |access-date=28 October 2020}}</ref>

Improved methods of aligning the Gresley conjugated valve gear in the 1950s led to tighter tolerances for the bearings used within it and, consequently, to almost total eradication of the overloading of the middle cylinder.{{Citation needed|date=December 2007}} History repeated itself with the inside big end being replaced by one of the Great Western type, after which there was no more trouble, provided that maintenance routines were respected.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Scott |first1=Ron |last2=Reed |first2=Brian |magazine=Loco Profile |issue=19 |title=Gresley A4s |publisher=Profile Publications |location=Berks UK |page=166 |year=1971 }}</ref>

The wholesale application of double Kylchap chimneys to the entire class was entirely due to the persistence of P.N. Townend, the Assistant Motive Power Superintendent at London King's Cross from 1956. He, at first, met with considerable resistance from higher authority. When permission was eventually given, it was found that the economy obtained over the single chimney A4s was from six to seven pounds of coal per mile, which more than justified the expense of the conversion.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rogers |first=Col. H.C.B. |title=Thompson & Peppercorn Locomotive Engineers |publisher=Ian Allan |location=London UK |year=1979 |isbn=0-7110-0910-4 |page=52}}</ref>

These improvements led to greatly increased availability.

==Locomotive data==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style=text-align:center
|-
! Original LNER number<ref>{{cite book |title=The ABC of L.N.E.R. Locomotives |author=Ian Allan |year=1946|edition=Renumbering }}</ref>
! Final LNER number
! BR number
! Doncaster Works number{{r|Yeadon73}}
! Original name (rename(s))
! Entered service
! Withdrawn
! Notes
|-
| [[LNER Class A4 2509 Silver Link|2509]]
| 14
| 60014
| 1818
| align=left | ''Silver Link''
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1935|09|07}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1962|12|29}}
| 
|-
| 2510
| 15
| 60015
| 1819
| align=left | ''[[Mercury (element)|Quicksilver]]''
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1935|9|21}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1963|4|25}}
| 
|-
| 2511
| 16
| 60016
| 1821
| align=left | ''Silver King''
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1935|11|5}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1965|3|19}}
| 
|-
| 2512
| 17
| 60017
| 1823
| align=left | ''[[Silver fox (animal)|Silver Fox]]''
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1935|12|18}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1963|10|20}}
| 
|-
| 4482
| 23
| 60023
| 1847
| align=left | ''[[Golden eagle|Golden Eagle]]''
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1936|12|22}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1964|10|30}}
| 
|-
| [[LNER Class A4 4483 Kingfisher|4483]]<br>(585)
| 24
| 60024
| 1848
| align=left | ''[[common kingfisher|Kingfisher]]''
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1936|12|26}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1966|9|5}}
| 
|-
| 4484<br>(586)
| 25
| 60025
| 1849
| align=left | ''[[Falcon]]''
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1937|1|23}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1963|10|20}}
| 
|-
| 4485<br>(587)
| 26
| 60026
| 1850
| align=left | ''[[common kestrel|Kestrel]]''<br />(''[[Miles Beevor]]'' from November 1947)
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1937|2|20}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1965|12|21}}
| 
|-
| 4486<br>(588)
| 27
| 60027
| 1851
| align=left | ''[[Merlin (bird)|Merlin]]''
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1937|3|13}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1965|9|3}}
| 
|-
| 4487
| 28
| 60028
| 1852
| align=left | ''[[Sea eagle|Sea Eagle]]''<br />(''[[Walter K. Whigham]]'' from October 1947)
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1937|3|20}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1962|12|29}}
| 
|-
| [[LNER Class A4 4488 Union of South Africa|4488]]
| 9
| 60009
| 1853
| align=left | ''[[Union of South Africa]]''<br />(''[[Osprey]]'', its originally allocated name, during 1980s–90s due to opposition to apartheid<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-19989692 |title=Union of South Africa locomotive to steam into Shildon |date=19 October 2012 |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=31 January 2017}}</ref>)
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1937|6|29}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1966|6|1}}
| Preserved
|-
| [[LNER Class A4 4489 Dominion of Canada|4489]]
| 10
| 60010
| 1854
| align=left | ''[[Eurasian woodcock|Woodcock]]''<br>(''[[Canada|Dominion of Canada]]'' from June 1937)
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1937|5|4}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1965|5|29}}
| Preserved
|-
| 4490
| 11
| 60011
| 1855
| align=left | ''[[British India|Empire of India]]''
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1937|6|25}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1964|5|11}}
| 
|-
| 4491
| 12
| 60012
| 1856
| align=left | ''[[Australia|Commonwealth of Australia]]''
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1937|6|22}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1964|8|20}}
| 
|-
| 4492
| 13
| 60013
| 1857
| align=left | ''[[New Zealand|Dominion of New Zealand]]''
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1937|6|27}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1963|4|18}}
| 
|-
| 4493
| 29
| 60029
| 1858
| align=left | ''Woodcock''
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1937|7|26}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1963|10|20}}
| 
|-
| [[Andrew K. McCosh#Steam Locomotive|4494]]
| 3
| 60003
| 1859
| align=left | ''[[Osprey]]''<br />(''[[Andrew K. McCosh]]'' from October 1942)
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1937|8|12}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1962|12|29}}
| 
|- 
| 4495
| 30
| 60030
| 1860
| align=left | ''[[Great snipe|Great Snipe]]''<br />(''[[Golden Fleece]]'' from September 1937)
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1937|8|30}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1962|12|29}}
| 
|-
| [[LNER Class A4 4496 Dwight D Eisenhower|4496]]
| 8
| 60008
| 1861
| align=left | ''[[Golden Shuttle]]''<br />(''[[Dwight D. Eisenhower]]'' from September 1945)
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1937|9|4}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1963|7|20}}
| Preserved
|-
| 4497
| 31
| 60031
| 1862
| align=left | ''[[Eurasian golden plover|Golden Plover]]''
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1937|10|2}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1965|10|29}}
| 
|-
| [[LNER Class A4 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley|4498]]
| 7
| 60007
| 1863
| align=left | ''[[Sir Nigel Gresley]]''
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1937|10|30}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1966|2|1}}
| Preserved
|-
| 4462
| 4
| 60004
| 1864
| align=left | ''[[Great Snipe]]''<br>(''[[William Whitelaw (Perth MP)|William Whitelaw]]'' from July 1941)
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1937|12|10}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1966|7|17}}
| 
|-
| 4463
| 18
| 60018
| 1865
| align=left | ''[[Eurasian sparrowhawk|Sparrow Hawk]]''
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1937|11|27}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1963|6|19}}
| 
|-
| [[LNER Class A4 4464 Bittern|4464]]
| 19
| 60019
| 1866
| align=left | ''[[great bittern|Bittern]]''
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1937|12|18}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1966|9|5}}
| Preserved
|-
| 4465
| 20
| 60020
| 1867
| align=left | ''[[Common guillemot|Guillemot]]''
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1938|1|8}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1964|3|20}}
| 
|-
| [[LNER Class A4 4466 Sir Ralph Wedgwood|4466]]<br>(605)
| 6
| 60006
| 1868
| align=left | ''[[European herring gull|Herring Gull]]''<br />(''[[Sir Ralph Wedgwood]]'' from January 1944)
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1938|1|26}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1965|9|3}}
| 
|-
| 4467
| 21
| 60021
| 1869
| align=left | ''[[Swan|Wild Swan]]''
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1938|2|19}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1963|10|20}}
| 
|-
| [[LNER Class A4 4468 Mallard|4468]]
| 22
| 60022
| 1870
| align=left | ''[[Mallard duck|Mallard]]''
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1938|3|3}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1963|4|25}}
| Currently holds the world speed record for steam locomotives at {{cvt|126|mph}}, preserved
|-
| [[LNER Class A4 4469 Sir Ralph Wedgwood|4469]]
| –
| –
| 1871
| align=left | ''[[Gadwall]]''<br />(''Sir Ralph Wedgwood'' from March 1939)
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1938|3}}{{sfn|Boddy|Neve|Yeadon|1973|loc=fold-out sheet inside rear cover}}

| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1942|6|6}}
| Damaged beyond repair by bomb on 29 April 1942.
|-
| 4499
| 2
| 60002
| 1872
| align=left | ''[[Common pochard|Pochard]]''<br />(''[[Sir Murrough Wilson]]'' from April 1939)
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1938|4|12}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1964|5|4}}
| 
|-
| 4500
| 1
| 60001
| 1873
| align=left | ''[[Garganey]]''<br />(''[[Sir Ronald Matthews]]'' from March 1939)
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1938|4|26}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1964|10|12}}
| 
|-
| 4900
| 32
| 60032
| 1874
| align=left | ''[[northern gannet|Gannet]]''
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1938|5|17}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1963|10|20}}
| 
|-
| 4901
| 5
| 60005
| 1875
| align=left | ''[[Capercaillie]]''<br />(''[[Charles H. Newton]]'' from September 1942)<br />(''Sir Charles Newton'' from June 1943)
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1938|6|8}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1964|3|12}}
| 
|-
| [[LNER Class A4 4902 Seagull|4902]]
| 33
| 60033
| 1876
| align=left | ''[[Seagull]]''
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1938|6|28}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1962|12|29}}
| 
|-
| [[LNER Class A4 60034 Lord Faringdon|4903]]
| 34
| 60034
| 1877
| align=left | ''[[Peregrine falcon|Peregrine]]''<br>(''[[Alexander Henderson, 1st Baron Faringdon|Lord Faringdon]]'' from March 1948)
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1938|7|1}}
| align=right| {{dts|format=dmy|1966|8|24}}
| 
|}

The first four locomotives included the word 'silver' in their names because they were intended to haul the ''Silver Jubilee'' train. 2512 ''Silver Fox'' of this batch carried a stainless-steel fox near the centre of the streamline casing on each side, made by the Sheffield steelmakers [[Samuel Fox and Company]].{{r|Yeadon73|p=120}} The next batch of A4s were named after birds, particularly those that were fast flyers, Gresley being a keen bird-watcher. Five (4488–92) were named after British Empire countries to haul the new Anglo-Scottish ''Coronation'' train; and two (4495/6), intended to haul the new ''West Riding Limited'', received names connected to the wool trade: ''Golden Fleece'' and ''Golden Shuttle''.<ref name=Boddy> {{cite book |last1=Boddy |first1=M.G. |last2=Fry |first2=E.V. |last3=Hennigan |first3=W. |last4=Proud |first4=P. |last5=Yeadon |first5=W.B. |author-link5=Willie Yeadon |editor-last=Fry |editor-first=E.V. |title=Locomotives of the L.N.E.R., part 1: Preliminary Survey |date=July 1963 |publisher=[[Railway Correspondence and Travel Society|RCTS]] |location=Potters Bar |page=52}}</ref>
[[File:A4s 20080404 NYMR 040a.jpg|thumb|A rare gathering of three ex-LNER A4 locomotives at [[Grosmont, North Yorkshire|Grosmont]], [[North Yorkshire Moors Railway]], on 4 April 2008, as 60009 ''Union of South Africa'', 60007 ''Sir Nigel Gresley'' and 60019 ''Bittern'' lined up at 7:30 am in preparation for service.]]
4498 was the hundredth Gresley Pacific to be built and was named after him. Subsequently, some other A4s were later renamed, usually to names of directors of the LNER.

== Withdrawal ==

One locomotive was withdrawn and scrapped after being damaged beyond repair in a German bombing raid on York on 29 April 1942 during [[World War II]]; this was [[LNER Class A4 4469 Sir Ralph Wedgwood|No. 4469 ''Sir Ralph Wedgwood'']], which at the time had been overhauled and was based at Gateshead. It was running local trains to run it in and was stabled in York North Shed (now the [[National Railway Museum]]) where it suffered a direct hit; however, its tender survived and was later coupled to a [[LNER Thompson Class A2/1|Thompson A2/1]].

The next five withdrawals, in December 1962, were: 60003 ''Andrew K. McCosh'', [[LNER Class A4 2509 Silver Link|60014 ''Silver Link'']], 60028 ''Walter K. Whigham'', 60030 ''Golden Fleece'' and [[LNER Class A4 4902 Seagull|60033 ''Seagull'']]. The rest of the class was withdrawn between 1963 and 1966. The last six in service were: 60004 ''William Whitelaw'', [[LNER Class A4 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley|60007 ''Sir Nigel Gresley'']], [[LNER Class A4 4488 Union of South Africa|60009 ''Union of South Africa'']], [[LNER Class A4 4464 Bittern|60019 ''Bittern'']], [[LNER Class A4 4483 Kingfisher|60024 ''Kingfisher'']] and [[LNER Class A4 60034 Lord Faringdon|60034 ''Lord Faringdon'']]. 60019 and 60024 were the last to be withdrawn in September 1966.

{|class="wikitable" style=text-align:center
! Year !! Quantity in<br>service at<br>start of year !! Quantity<br/>withdrawn !! Locomotive numbers !! Notes
|-
| 1942 || 35 || 1 || align=left | 4469 || align=left | Destroyed by bomb.
|-
| 1962 || 34 || 5 || align=left | 60003/14/28/30/33 || align=left | 
|-
| 1963 || 29 || 10 || align=left | 60008/13/15/17/18/21/22/25/29/32 || align=left | 60008/22 preserved.
|-
| 1964 || 19 || 7 || align=left | 60001/02/05/11/12/20/23 || align=left | 
|-
| 1965 || 12 || 6 || align=left | 60006/10/16/26/27/31 || align=left | 60010 preserved.
|-
| 1966 || 6 || 6 || align=left | 60004/07/09/19/24/34 || align=left | 60007/09/19 preserved.
|}

== Preservation ==
Six of the locomotives have been preserved; three of them were assigned to sheds in Scotland after the closure of King's Cross shed (34A) to steam in 1964.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}} Four A4s are in the UK and have run on the BR main lines at some point during their preservation career. Another two (''Dominion of Canada'' and ''Dwight D. Eisenhower'') were donated to the Canada and the US, respectively, upon withdrawal by British Railways. Both North American-based A4s, along with the other three British-based A4s were moved to the National Railway Museum, [[York]], in late 2012 on three-year loans as part of the NRM's 2013 celebrations of the 75th anniversary of ''Mallard'' breaking the world speed record for steam, bringing all six preserved A4s together.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-19812244 |title=BBC News – Mallard 'sister locomotives' arrive at Liverpool docks |publisher=bbc.co.uk |date=3 October 2012 |access-date=25 February 2013}}</ref> During 2013, 4464 'Bittern' underwent a series of high-speed runs, partly in commemoration of ''Mallard'''s record, partly to see if mainline speeds for certain heritage steam locomotives could be increased (The current maximum is {{cvt|75|mph|km/h}}). During the "Tyne Tees Streak" run, Bittern broke its own 91&nbsp;mph speed record set just a few months prior by reaching a maximum speed of {{cvt|93|mph|km/h}} (149.7&nbsp;km/h).

From 2015 to 2020, ''Union of South Africa'' was the only A4 operational with a valid mainline certificate until it expired in 2020; 60007 was withdrawn for overhaul on 20 September 2015 and 4464 operated until the end of 2015 at the [[Watercress Line]] when it was withdrawn and placed on static display in 2018 at [[Crewe]]. Union of South Africa was withdrawn in October 2021 due to boiler issues and with the coming expiration of its boiler certificate in early 2022. ''Sir Nigel Gresley'' returned to the mainline on 21 April 2022 and worked its inaugural railtour on 21 May 2022 following the completion of its major overhaul. As of 2023, 5 of 6 surviving A4's are on static display, the only working one being 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.railadvent.co.uk/events/sir-nigel-gresley-locomotive-trust-members-tour-crewe-carlisle|title=Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust Members Tour (Crewe - Carlisle)|date=12 May 2022|website=RailAdvent}}</ref> 60019 is planned to be moved from Margate to North Yorkshire for a mainline standard overhaul in 2024.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2023/06/steam-locomotive-60019-bittern-set-for-overhaul-in-north-yorkshire.html|title=Steam locomotive 60019 Bittern set for overhaul in North Yorkshire|date=9 June 2023|website=RailAdvent}}</ref>

Loco numbers in bold mean their current number.
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!rowspan="2"|Image
!colspan="3"|Numbers
!rowspan="2"|Name
!rowspan="2"|Service life
!rowspan="2"|Home base
!rowspan="2"|Current livery
!rowspan="2"|Corridor tender
!rowspan="2"|Owner
!rowspan="2"|Condition
!rowspan="2"|Notes
|-
!Original LNER number
!LNER 1946
!BR number
|-
|[[File:4464 Bittern at Kidderminster (3).jpg|100px]]
|align=center|'''[[LNER Class A4 4464 Bittern|4464]]'''
|align=center|19
|align=center|60019
|''Bittern''
|28 years, 8 months{{efn|December 1937 - September 1966}}
|[[Crewe Diesel TMD|Crewe LNWR]]
|LNER Garter Blue
|align=center|Yes
|[[Jeremy Hosking]] {{CN|date=October 2023}}
|Static Display
|{{efn|Last to be withdrawn alongside [[LNER Class A4 4483 Kingfisher|60024 Kingfisher]].

Currently in LNER Garter Blue livery and static display at the former [[Hornby Railways|Hornby factory]] in Margate, Kent. 

Planned to be moved to North Yorkshire for overhaul in 2024.<ref name="auto"/>}}
|-
|[[File:Number 4468 Mallard in York.jpg|100px]]
|align=center|'''[[LNER Class A4 4468 Mallard|4468]]'''
|align=center|22
|align=center|60022
|''Mallard''
|25 years, 1 month{{efn|March 1938 - April 1963}}
|[[National Railway Museum]]
|LNER Garter Blue
|align=center|No
|National Collection
|Static display
|{{efn|First to enter preservation.

Was operational between 1986 and 1988.}}
|-
|[[File:LNER Gresley Class A4 4-6-2 No.60009 - 14267947204.jpg|100px]]
|align=center|4488
|align=center|9
|align=center|'''[[LNER Class A4 4488 Union of South Africa|60009]]'''
|''Union of South Africa''{{efn|''Osprey'' 1988–1990}}
|28 years, 11 months{{efn|June 1937 - June 1966}}
|[[Thornton Marshalling Yard|Thornton Yard]]
|BR Brunswick Green, late crest
|align=center|Yes
|[[John Cameron (farmer)|John Cameron]]{{CN|date=October 2023}}
|Static display 
|{{efn|Withdrawn from service on 5 October 2021 due to boiler issues and boiler ticket expiry in early 2022. 

Due to controversial and political issues in [[South Africa]] in the 1980s involving racial [[apartheid]] the engine was renamed to Osprey. It returned to its original name in the 1990s.}}
|-
|[[File:Dominionofcanada4489.jpg|100px]]
|align=center|'''[[LNER Class A4 4489 Dominion of Canada|4489]]'''
|align=center|10
|align=center|60010
|''Dominion of Canada'' {{efn|originally ''Woodcock'' until June 1937}}
|28 years{{efn|May 1937 - May 1965}}
|[[Canadian Railway Museum]]
|LNER Garter Blue
|align=center|Yes
|Canadian Railway Museum
|Static display in [[Canada]].
|{{efn|Originally planned to be named ''Buzzard'', but was changed to ''Woodcock'' and then changed to ''Dominion of Canada''.<ref>{{cite web |title=History is made as A4 locos reunite at York |url=https://www.yorkmix.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-a4-pacific-locomotives-reunited-at-york/ |website=York Mix |date=3 July 2013 |access-date=3 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=60010 Dominion of Canada (LNER 4489, LNER 591, LNER 10 & BR 60010) |url=https://preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com/60010-dominion-of-canada-lner-4489-lner-591-lner-10-br-60010/ |website=Preserved British Steam Locomotives |date=6 July 2017 |publisher=WordPress.com |access-date=28 October 2020}}</ref> The name ''Woodcock'' was given to engine No. 4493.}} 
|-
|[[File:LNER 4-6-2 A4 Class No 60008 Dwight D Eisenhower (8500183898).jpg|100px]]
|align=center|4496
|align=center|8
|align=center|'''[[LNER Class A4 4496 Dwight D Eisenhower|60008]]'''
|''Dwight D. Eisenhower''{{efn|originally ''Golden Shuttle'' until September 1945}}
|25 years, 10 months{{efn|September 1937 - July 1963}}
|[[National Railroad Museum]]
|BR Brunswick Green, late crest
|align=center|No
|National Railroad Museum
|Static display in the [[United States of America|USA]].
|{{efn|Originally planned to be named ''Sparrow Hawk'' but was named ''Golden Shuttle'' instead and was eventually renamed to ''Dwight D Eisenhower''. The name ''Sparrow Hawk'' was used for engine No. 4463.<ref>{{cite web |title=60008 Dwight D Eisenhower (LNER 4496, LNER 598, LNER 8 & BR 60008) |url=https://preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com/60008-dwight-d-eisenhower-lner-4496-lner-598-lner-8-br-60008/ |website=Preserved British Steam Locomotives |date=6 July 2017 |publisher=WordPress.com |access-date=5 November 2020}}</ref>}}
|-
|[[File:Hugh llewelyn 60007 (5371152920).jpg|100px]]
|align=center|4498
|align=center|7
|align=center|'''[[LNER Class A4 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley|60007]]'''
|''Sir Nigel Gresley''
|28 years, 3 months{{efn|October 1937 - February 1966}}
|Locomotive Services Ltd. Crewe depot<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust |date=2024-11-13 |title=News |url=https://www.sirnigelgresley.org.uk/news.shtml}}</ref>
|BR Express Passenger Blue, early emblem<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steam locomotive 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley unveiled in blue livery |last=Holden |first=Michael |work=RailAdvent |date=24 January 2023 |access-date=4 August 2023 |url= https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2023/01/steam-locomotive-60007-sir-nigel-gresley-unveiled-in-blue-livery.html}}</ref>
|align=center|Yes
|Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust
|Operational, Boiler Ticket Expires: 2032.
|{{efn|Moved to the [[Severn Valley Railway]] for test running and  appeared at the April Spring Steam Gala.
Worked Inaugural mainline railtour on 21 May 2022.<ref name="auto1"/>}}
|}

==Models==
One of the first two [[Hornby Dublo]] locomotive models produced, in 1938, was an A4.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hornby.com/locomotives-89/r2688/product.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100201144701/https://www.hornby.com/locomotives-89/r2688/product.html |archivedate=1 February 2010|title= LNER 4-6-2 'Sir Nigel Gresley' Class A4|website=[[Hornby Railways]] }}</ref> In 1999 a 'Super Detail' Hornby A4 was released,{{citation needed|date=March 2015}} later complemented by a budget 'Railroad' model{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}<!--date obtained from a Hornby service sheet PDF (https://static.hornby.com/files/ss-274-245.pdf) !!--> [[Hornby Railways|Hornby]] also produced an 'OO'-scale [[live steam]] version in September 2003, that used an electrically heated boiler to produce steam – not previously possible in such a small model. Trix produced an 'OO' scale model A4 from 1970; it was re-branded as a Liliput model in 1974 and survives to this day in modified form as a Bachmann model – Kader, Bachmann's parent company, had bought Liliput in 1993.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ramsay |first1=John |last2=Hammond |first2=Pat |editor-last=King |editor-first=John |title=Ramsay's British Model Trains Catalogue |edition=3rd |year=2002 |orig-year=1998 |publisher=Swapmeet Publications |location=Felixstowe |isbn=0-9528352-7-4 |pages=298, 302, 33 }}</ref> In September 2004, Hornby unveiled retooled [[OO gauge]] models of the A4 in LNER blue, LNER black and BR green.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Hornby's new A4 and Gresley coaches unveiled at the NRM|magazine=British Railway Modelling|page=36|issue=8|volume=12|date=November 2004|location=Bourne|publisher=Warners Group Publications|issn=0968-0764|oclc=1135061879}}</ref>

During the 1980s, [[Minitrix]] produced [[British N gauge]] models of ''Mallard'', both as 4468 in LNER blue and 60022 in BR green, and 4498 ''Sir Nigel Gresley'' in LNER blue. From the 1990s, [[Graham Farish]] produced British N gauge models of the A4. In 2012, [[Dapol]] introduced a British N gauge model of 60017 ''Silver Fox'' in BR green.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Dapol 'A4' 4-6-2|first=Ben|last=Jones|magazine=[[Model Rail]]|pages=18–21|issue=169|date=May 2012|location=Peterborough|publisher=Bauer|issn=1369-5118|oclc=173324502}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite magazine|title=Gresley's renowned record-breakers!|first=Chris|last=Leigh|magazine=[[Model Rail]]|pages=22–32|issue=2|date=Spring 1998|location=Peterborough|publisher=EMAP Apex|issn=1369-5118|oclc=173324502}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|LNER Class A4}}
* [https://www.lner.info/locos/A/a4.shtml LNER Encyclopedia Page covering the history and development of the LNER A4 Pacifics]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041206062509/http://www.bath.ac.uk/~hssmrg/a4.html Detailed list of the names, numbers and production dates of LNER A4 locomotives]
* [https://www.railuk.info/steam/getsteamclass.php?item=A4 Class A4 Details] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503235911/https://www.railuk.info/steam/getsteamclass.php?item=A4 |date=3 May 2023 }} at ''Rail UK''
* [http://www.britishtransportfilms.co.uk/productions/films/BT0144/BT144.html Screenshots from ''Elizabethan Express'']
* [https://www.sirnigelgresley.org.uk Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust]

==Video links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120316135147/http://www.britishrailways.tv/british-railways?task=viewvideo&video_id=1346 1935, Demonstration run of ''Silver Jubilee'' to Grantham]
* [https://archive.today/20130119052331/http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=38467 1944, Retirement of driver Duddington]

{{LNER Locomotives}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lner Class A4}}
[[Category:LNER Class A4 locomotives| ]]
[[Category:Land speed record rail vehicles]]
[[Category:London and North Eastern Railway locomotives|A4]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1935]]
[[Category:Standard-gauge steam locomotives of Great Britain]]
[[Category:Streamlined steam locomotives]]
[[Category:4-6-2 locomotives]]
[[Category:2′C1′ h3 locomotives]]
[[Category:Passenger locomotives in the United Kingdom]]