2-4-0 steamlocomotive # 790 "Hardwicke" of the London and North Western Railway's "Precedent Class", built at Crewe in 1873. In 1892 it was virtually rebuilt as a new engine. In August 1895, # 790 "Hardwicke" took 2 hours and 6 minutes for the 141 miles from Crewe to Carlisle whilst hauling a load of 72?tons, with an average speed of 67.1 mph, setting up a new speed record during the Race to the North. This is why it was selected for preservation. It was withdrawn in 1932 having completed 1,326,479 miles whilst in service. Returned to steam in July 1975 in Carnforth. This enabled the locomotive to take part in the Rail 150 Stockton & Darlington cavalcade at Shildon in August 1975. After taking part in the 1980 Rocket 150 cavalcade at Rainhill spent the rest of the year at Dinting Railway Centre before going on static display at York. Now exhibited in the Locomotion museum in Shildon.
