LNWR George the Fifth class 2013 Prince George

The LNWR George the Fifth class 2013 Prince George is a full size LNWR George the Fifth Class steam locomotive under construction by the LNWR George the Fifth Steam Locomotive Trust, a Registered Charity.[1] The 'George' is a classic example of an LNWR express engine of which no example survived into preservation. Therefore, the Trust is progressing towards 'making good this gap',[2] and the new George is currently being constructed at Heckmondwicke and at Keyte Smith Ltd of Nether Broughton.[3]

LNWR George the Fifth class
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerCharles Bowen Cooke
BuilderCrewe Works
Serial numberLNWR numbering squence sporadic, LMS numbering- 4970–5029, 5118–5137, 5237–5246
Build date1910–1915
Total produced90 (80 new, 10 rebuilt from Queen Mary class)
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-4-0
 • UIC2′B h2
Gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Leading dia.3 ft 3 in (0.991 m)
Driver dia.6 ft 9 in (2.057 m)
Loco weight59.85 long tons (60.81 t)
Boiler pressure175 psi (1.21 MPa)
Heating surface1,849 sq ft (171.8 m2)
SuperheaterSchmidt
CylindersTwo
Cylinder size20.5 in × 26 in (521 mm × 660 mm) or
20 1⁄2 in × 26 in (521 mm × 660 mm)
Valve gearJoy
Performance figures
Tractive effort20,640 lbf (91.8 kN)
Career
Operators
Power classLMS: 3P
Number in class1 January 1923: 90,
1 January 1948: 3
Withdrawn1935–1948
DispositionAll scrapped

The Trust relies upon donations and regular contributions in order to fund the project. The Trust's short-term aims are currently focused on funding on the lower end (frame erection) and increasing the number of subscribers and active donors.[4]

In July 2013 the Trust approached the Duke of Cambridge and Duchess of Cambridge to name their locomotive after their newborn son Prince George. The Duke and Duchess accepted, and the locomotive was given the number '2013', the year of his birth, and named 'Prince George' on 22 July 2014, in honour of his first birthday.[5][6]

About the Class

They were essentially superheated versions of the LNWR Whale Precursor Class. At the same time, similar non-superheated Queen Mary Class engines were also built, but all of these acquired superheaters as the advantages of superheating became clear and were absorbed into the George the Fifth Class. The Precursors were then converted at overhauls to conform with the successful George specification; they were more than 25% more powerful, the only difference being the Splashers over the driving wheel.

Project launch

The Trust has been going since 2012 undertaking detailed evaluations and planning, whilst building up valuable information and drawings, this culminated in the fabrication of the smokebox door.[7] The project was officially launched on 22 July 2014 with the unveiling of name, cabside and splasher assembly; this took place at Quorn on the Great Central Railway Loughborough.

Construction

Only one 20th century LNWR locomotive exists, meaning there are virtually no spare parts in existence. Thus the whole build will have to be from scratch. The Trust has acquired genuine auxiliary fittings including an LNWR whistle which came off a 0-6-2 tank. A presentation of the whistle took place on the footplate of Hardwicke at the 2012 Railfest at York.[8] The front frames are being cut at Corus Steel, Cradley Heath in the West Midlands. Whilst detailed calculations are made to allow the rear portion to be cut, work is continuing on the smokebox with the frames expected to be erected during 2015.

Project future

The Trust has stated it will cost between £1.5 and £2 million to complete Prince George. Funds are being raised through private donation and sponsorship of parts. Raising the necessary capital is done through having a presence at events, giving talks and generating publicity through the media. The Prince is Born is a Trust noted strapline.

References
  1. "LNWR George the Fifth Steam Locomotive Trust". lnwrgeorgevtrust.org.uk. 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  2. "LNWR George the Fifth Steam Locomotive Trust Homepage". lnwrgeorgevtrust.org.uk. 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  3. "Welcome to the Keyte Smith Ltd website". keytesmith.com. 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  4. "LNWR George the Fifth Steam Locomotive Trust- How to help". lnwrgeorgevtrust.org.uk. 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  5. "LNWR George the Fifth Steam Locomotive Trust- Blog- August Roundup". blog.lnwrgeorgevtrust.org.uk. 2 September 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  6. "New locomotive engine named after Prince George". http://royalcentral.co.uk/. 23 July 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014. External link in |publisher= (help)
  7. "LNWR George the Fifth Steam Locomotive Trust- Blog- A new smokebox door for a New George the Fifth!". blog.lnwrgeorgevtrust.org.uk. 2 September 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  8. "LNWR George the Fifth Steam Locomotive Trust- Blog- Back from Railfest!". blog.lnwrgeorgevtrust.org.uk. 14 June 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
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