page_title: LNWR Improved Precedent Class
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: LNWR Improved Precedent Class / History
caption_attribution_description: An example of a LNWR Improved Precedent Class 2-4-0. They were designed by F.W. Webb. 166 were built in batches at the Crewe Works between 1887-1897 with two further additions in 1898 and 1901 respectively. One Improved Precendent, 790 Hardwicke (built 1892, LMS No. 5031, withdrawn 1932) has been preserved as part of the National Railway Collection. The chimney on this engine seems to be an experimental design, perhaps using a double blast pipe? Link to Hardwicke This photo was taken from an old original photo we came across while helping to clear the house of a deceased friend. I have uploaded it to Flickr in the hope that it might be interesting to steam enthusiasts.
context_page_description: The London and North Western Railway Improved Precedent class or Renewed Precedent class is a class of 2-4-0 steam locomotive originally designed for express passenger work. They later gained the nickname of Jumbos.
context_section_description: The locomotives were designed by F. W. Webb. A total of 158 were built in batches by Crewe Works 1887–1897 with two further additions in 1898 and 1901 respectively.  They were officially "renewals" (i.e. replacements) of 96 Newton Class and 62 Precedent Class, so that,  for accountancy purposes, they could be charged against the Revenue account rather than the Capital account of a "new" locomotive.  On renewal, they kept the numbers and names of their predecessors, and as a result the numbering system continued to be completely haphazard. In addition, the eight Precedent class locomotives that were not renewed, were rebuilt to the Improved specification, but they retained their original ⁷⁄₈-inch (22.2 mm) thick frames, whereas the renewed locomotives had 1-inch (25.4 mm) frames.
  On 22 August 1895, 790 Hardwicke took 2 hours and 6 minutes for the 141 miles (227 km) from Crewe to Carlisle, with an average speed of 67.1 mph (108.0 km/h), setting up a new speed record during the Race to the North.
  Withdrawals started in December 1905.
  The London, Midland and Scottish Railway acquired 76 upon the grouping of 1923, and gave them the power classification 1P. The LMS assigned these the numbers 5004–79, in order of build date, though not all received them as withdrawals continued apace. By the end of 1933, only 5001 Snowdon survived and in April 1934 it was renumbered 25001 to clear the number 5001 for an LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0, but was withdrawn in October that year.
caption: No. 1532 Hampden with a non-standard chimney
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