| LNWR Precursor Class (Whale) | 
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| | Type and origin | 
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 | Power type | Steam | 
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 | Designer | George Whale | 
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 | Builder | LNWR Crewe Works | 
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 | Serial number | 4415–4419, 4440–4504, 4510–4549, 4660–4679 | 
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 | Build date | 1904–1907 | 
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 | Total produced | 130 | 
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| | Specifications | 
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 | Configuration: 
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 | • Whyte | 4-4-0 | 
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 | • UIC | 2′B n2 or 2′B h2 | 
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 | Gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) | 
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 | Driver dia. | 6 ft 9 in (2.057 m) | 
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 | Loco weight | 59.15 long tons (60.10 t) | 
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 | Boiler pressure | 175 psi (1.21 MPa) | 
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 | Cylinders | Two | 
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 | Cylinder size | 19 in × 26 in (483 mm × 660 mm) or 20+1⁄2 in × 26 in (521 mm × 660 mm) | 
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 | Valve gear | Joy | 
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| | Performance figures | 
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 | Tractive effort | 18,222 lbf (81.1 kN) or 20,640 lbf (91.8 kN) | 
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 | 
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The London and North Western Railway (LNWR) "Precursor" Class was a type of 4-4-0 ("American") steam locomotive designed by the company's Chief Mechanical Engineer, George Whale. Introduced in 1904, it should not be confused with the LNWR 2-4-0 "Precursor" Class of 1874 designed by Francis Webb, the last example of which was scrapped in 1895. In 1906, a 4-4-2T ("Atlantic") tank variant of Whale's engine, the "Precursor Tank" Class, also entered service.