One of the largest British Cramptons and a reply to the Great Western's IRON DUKE class. The upper half of the boiler had a larger diameter than the lower to fit 300 firetubes. The stretched boiler was supported by two closely spaced lead axles followed by the cylinders and then a third carrying axle just ahead of the immense drivers. A continuous double frame allowed placing the cylinders closer to the centerline. The valve gear was inside and the throttle (regulator) was housed on top of the boiler. It was said to be fast (50 mph/80 kph average, drawing 150 tons and 78 1/2 mph/126 kph maximum), but like all British Cramptons, it was tough on tracks and was retired in 1858.
Some data from G. Drysdale Dempsey A Rudimentary Treatise on the Locomotive Engine (1857; reprint 1970), who noted its power in pulling up to 40 carriages, but commented: "Its excessive weight and length, however, quickly threatened the stability of the permanent way, and induced its retirement from active duty, without impugning its title, however, to be regarded as the 'most powerful locomotive in the world.'"
| Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media | |
|---|---|
| Class | Liverpool |
| Locobase ID | 680 |
| Railroad | London & North Western |
| Country | Great Britain |
| Whyte | 6-2-0 |
| Number in Class | 1 |
| Road Numbers | |
| Gauge | Std |
| Number Built | 1 |
| Builder | L&NW - Crewe |
| Year | 1848 |
| Valve Gear | |
| Locomotive Length and Weight | |
| Driver Wheelbase (ft / m) | |
| Engine Wheelbase (ft / m) | 18.50 / 5.64 |
| Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase | |
| Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m) | |
| Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg) | 26,880 / 12,193 |
| Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg) | 26,880 / 12,193 |
| Engine Weight (lbs / kg) | 78,410 / 35,566 |
| Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg) | 47,040 / 21,337 |
| Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg) | 125,450 / 56,903 |
| Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML) | |
| Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT) | |
| Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m) | 45 / 22.50 |
| Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort | |
| Driver Diameter (in / mm) | 96 / 2438 |
| Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa) | 120 / 830 |
| High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm) | 18" x 24" / 457x610 |
| Tractive Effort (lbs / kg) | 8262 / 3747.58 |
| Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) | 3.25 |
| Heating Ability | |
| Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm) | 292 - 2.17" / 55 |
| Flues (number - dia) (in / mm) | |
| Flue/Tube length (ft / m) | 12.25 / 3.73 |
| Firebox Area (sq ft / m2) | 154.43 / 14.35 |
| Grate Area (sq ft / m2) | 21.50 / 2 |
| Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2) | 2290 / 212.83 |
| Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2) | |
| Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2) | 2290 / 212.83 |
| Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume | 323.97 |
| Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information) | |
| Robert LeMassena's Power Computation | 2580 |
| Same as above plus superheater percentage | 2580 |
| Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area | 18,532 |
| Power L1 | 8318 |
| Power MT | 682.22 |