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GRESLEY A4 PACIFICS (Locomotives in Detail)
GRESLEY A4 PACIFICS - Locomotives in Detail Author:David Clarke There can be few more iconic classes of express steam locomotive than the 'A4' class of Pacific designed by Sir Nigel Gresley for use on the LNER's East Coast Main Line. Inspired by a trip to France in 1933, where he had seen the results of streamlining on petroleum-engined railcars designed by Ettore Bugatti in terms of reducing wind resistance... more », Gresley obtained permission to construct these new locomotives as streamliners in early 1935. The first of the class was completed less than six months after Gresley was given approval for the project and, in all, 35 members of the class were constructed, of which one - No 4468 Mallard - will always have a place in history as the holder of the world speed record for a steam locomotive. Although, for ease of maintenance, the streamlining was modified during the war, these stylish locomotives dominated East Coast services for quarter of a century until replaced by another design that became a classic - the 'Deltic' class. After a swan-song for some of the class on Glasgow-Aberdeen expresses, the last of the class was withdrawn in 1966. Six of the class survive in preservation, with two of the examples being on display in North America.« less