The "Hush-Hush" Locomotive

Today, 14 december 2021, we concentrate on an experimental and unique steam, tender locomotive; a class 'W1' 4-6-4 type, No.10000. Due to the initial secrecy surrounding the project, it became known as the "Hush-Hush" locomotive. The jigsaw is a 40-piece, wooden example from Philmar with a long title - B.R. EASTERN REGION CLASS "W.1" (The only one in Britain).

Although classed as a 4-6-4 (wheel configuration) locomotive, technically she was a 4-6-2-2, as th rear 4-wheel bogie was articulated. Fitted with a high pressure water tube boiler of marine origin she graced London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) lines from November 1929. Unfortunately she spent more time in the engineering works for modifications, rather than in service. Reflecting on this, the designer Nigel Gresley decided to re-build her from 1935. As a result, she was moved to Doncaster Works, leading to major changes to her appearance. She returned to traffic in 1937, resembling a class 'A1' locomotive (as in the jigsaw picture) but retaining the 4-6-4 wheel configuration ('A1' locomotives were of 4-6-2 wheel configuration). She was withdrwn from service and scrapped in 1959. No.10000 was renumbered to 60700 in British Raiways' (BR) days and the artist has chosen this guise for the jigsaw artwork. There is no signature on the artwork, but it looks remarkably similar to that of T.E.North. The locomotive, in original guise, as 10000, was reviewed in a previous post of 4 December 2010.