LNER Class V4

The London and North Eastern Railway Class V4 was a small class of 2-6-2 steam locomotives designed by Nigel Gresley for mixed-traffic work. It was the last design Gresley completed for the LNER before his death in 1941, and it was conceived as a lightweight alternative to his heavier V2 class, with similar appearance and mechanical layout but suitable for use over the whole of the LNER network. Only two engines were ever built, both at the LNER Doncaster Works in 1941. The first, number 3401, was named Bantam Cock and carried a scaled-down version of the Gresley Pacific boiler; the second, number 3402, had a fully welded steel firebox and was unofficially known as Bantam Hen. Gresley's death and his successor's preference for the simpler Thompson B1 meant no more were built. Both engines worked on the West Highland Line in Scotland and were scrapped in 1957.