James Cross and Co: White Raven

1863.

Note, this is a sub-section of James Cross and Co

The White Raven was built by James Cross and Co, for the St. Helen's Railway, but before being placed in regular service, was tried on the North London Railway. In addition to the radial axle-boxes, the engine was fitted with the Adams patented spring tires. Between the rim of the wheel and the tire, which was of Krupp steel, a steel hoop spring was placed round the wheel, with the object of making the tire fit the wheel elastically, being neither too loose, or too tight. Mr Adams considered this the safest form of tire, as it had no tendency to burst; it had sufficient yield to minimise the effect of blows, and was pliant enough to case better adhesion between tire and rail.

The radial axles were the locomotive's principal feature. In the White Raven each radial axle-box had a lateral movement of 4.5 in each side and the radii of curvature were struck from the centre of the nearest coupled axle; in this case 7ft distant.

The engine was too flexible, with a tendency to excessive lateral oscillation. It came into possession of the London and North Western Railway when the latter absorbed the St Helen's Railway in 1867, and a few years later, the radial axle-boxes were removed and the engine was converted into a 2-4-0 tender engine with rigid leading axle.

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