New and more powerful steam locomotives continue to be introduced on the Home Railways. In this connection, the London & North Eastern system comes into the limelight. The King's Cross authorities have recently approved the building in the Doncaster works of a new series of 2-8-2 three-cylinder streamlined passenger engines; a number of 2-6-2 three-cylinder mixed traffic locomotives; a further batch of 4-6-2 three-cylinder passenger engines following the “Silver Link” design; and a series of 2-6-2 three-cylinder, passenger side-tank engines for suburban haulage.

The first of the new 2-8-2 streamliners has already been completed. It is named “Lord President,” and incorporates most of the features of the “Cock o' the North” locomotive, described in these Letters some time ago. It has, however, been given an entirely new streamlined front, not unlike the “Silver Link” class. The principal dimensions are:—Grate area, 50 sq. ft.; boiler barrel, 19 ft. long, 6 ft. 5 in. diameter; total heating surface, 3,490 sq. ft.; working pressure, 220 lb.; cylinders, 21 in. diameter by 26 in. stroke; tractive effort, 43,462 lb.; weight in working order, 107 tons. The eight-wheeled tender carries 5,000 gallons of water and 8 tons of coal. The “Lord President” and its successors will haul fast Anglo-Scottish expresses.

The mixed traffic locomotives, of the 2-6-2 three-cylinder type, should prove exceptionally useful. One of these engines has now been completed, and it has been named “Green Arrow.” Striking a new note in Home locomotive design by employing the unusual 2-6-2 wheel arrangement, the “Green Arrow” has three cylinders, 18 1/2 in. diameter by 26 in. stroke; grate area, 41.25 sq. ft.; total heating surface, 3.110 sq. ft.; working pressure, 220 lb. per sq. in.; tractive effort, 33,730 lb.; and weight in working order, 93 tons. This fine engine is intended for express passenger and fast freight traffic. It has been designed by Mr. H. N. Gresley, the L. & N.E. chief mechanical engineer—or, as we are now happy to know him, Sir Nigel Gresley.