London & North Western Improved Precedent class

As its name suggests, the LNWR Improved Precedent or Renewed Precedent class was an upgraded variant of Webb's Precedent class. In reality, only eight were rebuilt from Precedent class locomotives, while 158 more were built new. At the same time, the other 62 Precedent class locomotives and 96 Newton class locomotives were scrapped, while the new locomotives got their numbers and names. So, on paper, these locomotives were just “renewed” and no new builds, what led to financial advantages.

In service, they showed their potential and got the nickname “Jumbos”. In 1895 during the Race to the North, number 790 “Hardwicke” set a new record between Crewe and Carlisle with an average of 67.1 mph or 108 km/h. The first withdrawals started in 1905, but the LMS still got 76 in 1923 and put them into power class 1P. The last ones were withdrawn in 1934 and only No. 790 was preserved. It had been operational again from 1976, but today it's only on static display at the National Railway Museum Shildon.