Ramsbottom/Webb LNWR Lady of the Lake class

I have added a new collection featuring John Ramsbottom (later rebuilt by Webb) LNWR Lady of the Lake class


The London and North Western Railway (LNWR) 7 ft 6 in Single 2-2-2 class was a type of express passenger locomotive designed by John Ramsbottom. The class is better known as the Problem class for the first locomotive built, or the Lady of the Lake class for the example that was displayed at the International Exhibition of 1862.

The first examples were built shortly after the acquisition of the Chester and Holyhead Railway by the LNWR, and primarily saw use on the Irish Mail route from London to Holyhead. They were the first locomotives to be fitted with water scoops, which could refill the tender from water troughs between the tracks without stopping. One such locomotive, No. 229 Watt, was the first to use them in non-stop run from Holyhead to Stafford in 1862, while conveying despatches relating to the Trent Affair.

The Lady of the Lake class locomotives spent their initial years working the Irish Mail traffic, as well as running local express services in the Manchester, Crewe and Liverpool area. They gained a reputation as "flyers" on the Irish Mail, even though the speed required by the Post Office contract (a 42 mph (68 km/h) average) was not particularly fast by contemporary standards. Sir Richard Moon, Chairman of the LNWR, believed was that a speed of 40 mph was sufficient for an express train. The "Ladies" could keep this pace with ease, and was economical to run as well. In later years, however, as speeds and loads increased, the locomotives were used as pilots on double-headed trains, and even some branch services.


All unknown locations


7 Scorpion

https://railway-photography.smugmug...-Ramsbotton-/Lady-of-the-Lake-class/i-VdbLTMK

77 Mersey

https://railway-photography.smugmug...-Ramsbotton-/Lady-of-the-Lake-class/i-rP24V5S

https://railway-photography.smugmug...-Ramsbotton-/Lady-of-the-Lake-class/i-qB4KZRP

111 Russell

https://railway-photography.smugmug...-Ramsbotton-/Lady-of-the-Lake-class/i-BmCtkdq

291 Prince of Wales

https://railway-photography.smugmug...-Ramsbotton-/Lady-of-the-Lake-class/i-gmXtJKD

531 Lady of the Lake

https://railway-photography.smugmug...-Ramsbotton-/Lady-of-the-Lake-class/i-gdvKRfP

https://railway-photography.smugmug...-Ramsbotton-/Lady-of-the-Lake-class/i-Stjqz9k

562 Palmerston

https://railway-photography.smugmug...-Ramsbotton-/Lady-of-the-Lake-class/i-R7rCfVk

802 Red Gauntlet

https://railway-photography.smugmug...-Ramsbotton-/Lady-of-the-Lake-class/i-WQTRPLW

1429 Alfred Paet

https://railway-photography.smugmug...-Ramsbotton-/Lady-of-the-Lake-class/i-3XMH539



Neil