Alex Coomber
Here's a story about this Steam Locomotive. This Steam Loco is an LMS Coronation Class 4-6-2 No 46245 City of London. This beautiful locomotive is seen in all it shining glory hauling an Ian Allan Railtour 1X91 on 1st September 1964. The route was from London Paddington to Crewe where a tour of the works was enjoyed before it returned to London Paddington. The locomotive was thanked for this duty by being withdrawn and scrapped almost immediately. The class known as the Coronation Class or Princess Coronation Class was designed by William Stanier for the London Midland and Scottish Railway. The class consisted of 38 locomotives designed and built as a larger and more improved version of the Princess Royal Class that preceded it. The first of the class was No. 46220 Coronation built in 1937. The original plan was to build more Princess Royal Class engines when it became obvious that more would be needed especially with plans being drawn up to start a non stop through train from London to Glasgow. Instead. Stanier was persuaded by Tom Coleman the Chief Draughtsman and Technical Assistant at Derby Works to go back to the drawing board and design a brand new class of locomotives. The result was the Coronation Class more powerful and easier to maintain than the Princess Royals. Stanier was however contracted to fulfil an assignment in India leaving Mr Coleman to complete the plans for the new locomotive that would be the most powerful in the LMS. The locomotive was almost ready to be built when it was discovered that the London and North Eastern Railway had introduced the A4 class which was streamlined making it a design popular with enthusiasts and the public alike. The railway companies were very mindful of other railway companies and like the Ocean Liners competing for the Blue Riband at that time. They were always in competition to have the fastest main line trains. Accordingly. The decision was made to streamline the Coronation Class. The result was beautiful. There were some problems with smoke not being deflected away from the drivers cab. But it was beautiful all the same. The first 5 were built at Crewe Works in 1937 and painted in Caledonian Railway blue with silver horizontal lines that matched the coaches of the Coronation Scot trains that they were specifically built to haul. During the press run that year. No. 6220 Coronation driven by driver TJ Clarke, fireman C Lewis, engineer Robert Riddles and inspector S Miller broke the LNERS record of 113 MPH by doing 114 MPH on the Madeley Bank north of Crewe. Catastrophe nearly struck. However as the train approached Crewe Station. Those on the footplate were so elated that they did not notice at first that they were still doing 110 MPH. The train took the stations reverse curves which had a speed limit of 20 MPH. At 57 MPH. Fortunately. The only damage inflicted was an uncomfortable ride for the passengers and some broken crockery. Although a truce was subsequently declared between the companies because of the scare. This lasted until the following year then the LNER engine No. 4468 Mallard hit 126 MPH while trialling a new brake system. No. 46245 City of London was built in June 1943 and in 1948 could be found at Camden Shed. It's last allocation was Crewe from where it was withdrawn in September 1964 and scrapped at Cashmores of Great Bridge 3 months later.
