London and North Western Railway 1892

Description

2-4-0 No 790 “Hardwicke” is the sole surviving example of the LNWR Improved ‘Precedent’ class. Designed by F W Webb, it was built at Crewe Works in 1873. Competition between railway companies between London and Aberdeen was fierce in a contest that became known as the Races to the North. In 1895 Harwicke set a record by running at an average of 67mph over the 141 miles between Crewe and Carlisle. On 27th October 1895, Hardwicke was involved in a collision near Preston. While hauling an express passenger train it collided with a freight train and was considerably damaged in the resulting derailment. London, Midland & Scottish Railway acquired the Precedent class locomotives. Hardwicke was withdrawn from service in 1932 and is owned by the National Railway Museum, York, whilst currently located at NRM Shildon in Co Durham.