London Midland and Scottish Railway Princess Coronation Class No. 6220 (British Railways No. 46220) Coronation was a British steam locomotive.
Overview
6220 was built in 1937 at Crewe Works, the first of its class of streamlined locomotives. It, along with others were given a special livery of Caledonian Railway blue with go-faster stripes instead of the more conventional red.
During a press run on 29 June 1937, 6220 set a new speed record on the West Coast Main Line. Driver TJ. Clarke and fireman C. Lewis (with Robert Riddles (engineer) and inspector S. Miller on the footplate), pushed the Stanier pioneer to a claimed speed of 114 miles per hour on Madeley Bank north of Crewe, which broke the previous record of 113 mph set by the rival LNER.
Unfortunately jubilation was to become consternation as the footplate team realised the train was still making 110 mph only a mile and a half from Crewe station. Urgent braking improved matters but the locomotive passed through the station’s reverse curves at 57 mph, well in excess of the 20 mph limit; the resultant buffeting alarming the passengers and destroying a quantity of crockery in the dining coach.
Though the record now lay with the LMS, the scare led to both companies declaring an unofficial truce. This was only broken the following year by the LNER with A4 Class 4468 Mallard, which reached 126 mph whilst trialing a new quick action braking system.
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 its single chimney for a double chimney in December 1944. The streamlining was removed for maintenance reasons in September 1946 and at the same time smoke deflectors were installed. It was painted LMS 1946 black livery in September 1947 followed by BR standard express blue from January 1950 to April 1952. It was painted BR green in April 1952. 6220 remained in semi-streamlined form with sloping smokebox front until February 1957 when a round-topped smokebox was fitted. 6220 was never painted maroon and was in BR green when withdrawn.
46220 was withdrawn in 1963 and cut up at Crewe Works.