LMS Princess Coronation Class 6220 Coronation

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London Midland and Scottish Railway Princess Coronation Class No. 6220 (British Railways No. 46220) Coronation was a British steam locomotive.

[edit] Overview

6220 was built in 1937 at Crewe Works, the first of its class of streamlined locomotives. It, along with were given a special livery of Caledonian Railway blue with go-faster stripes instead of the more conventional red.

On 29 June 1937, on a press run, 6220 set a new record of 114 miles per hour, beating the LNER record of 113 mph. She was driven by TJ. Clarke (driver) and C. Lewis (fireman), with Robert Riddles (engineer) and S. Miller (inspector) also on the footplate. This prompted the record attempt a year later by the LNER with A4 Class 4468 Mallard, which reached 125mph.

In 1939 6220 temporarily swapped identities with 6229 Duchess of Hamilton. The new Coronation was sent on a tour to America for the World's fair. There was thus a blue 6229 Duchess of Hamilton in Great Britain and a red 6220 Coronation in the United States. On the return of the engine from North America, their identities were swapped back again.

6220 swapped her single chimney for a double chimney in December 1944. Her streamlining was removed for maintenance reasons in September 1946 and at the same time she acquired smoke deflectors. She was painted LMS 1946 black livery in September 1947. She was painted BR green in April 1952. She remained in semi-streamlined form with sloping smokebox front until February 1957 when a round-topped smokebox was fitted. She was painted maroon livery in May 1958.

46220 was withdrawn in 1963 and cut up at her birthplace, Crewe Works.