A Famous Locomotive Type.

The “Pacific” locomotives of the London and North Eastern Railway form one of the world's most famous page 42 page 43 locomotive types. It is now sixteen years since the first “Pacific” was turned out of the L. & N.E. shops at Doncaster, and recently Sir Nigel Gresley produced in these shops his one-hundredth “Pacific,” a beautiful streamlined express locomotive painted Garter blue, with wheels finished in Coronation red. The first “Pacific” created something of a storm in locomotive circles. It rapidly proved its worth, and very soon this particular type was standardised for express passenger work over the King's Cross-Edinburgh tracks. Little by little, improvements and refinements have been added. In 1928, “Pacific” locomotives with corridor tenders were introduced on the world's longest non-stop run between London and the Scottish capital. New speed records followed in 1934 and 1935. In the latter year, there was introduced the streamlined “Pacific” for hauling the “Silver Jubilee” express between King's Cross and Newcastle-on-Tyne. On trial trip, No. 2509, “Silver Link,” achieved 112 m.p.h. The following year “Pacific” engine “Silver Fox” attained 113 m.p.h. with the same express; while 1937 saw the introduction of the “Coronation”—the Empire's fastest train—and the “West Riding Limited” streamliners, hauled by “Pacifics” of the “Dominion” and “Golden Fleece” classes.