of 2-4-0 (known as Jumbos), an 0-6-0 general purpose freight design, ("Coal Engine") and its 0-6-2 ("Coal Tank") variant, a celebrated 0-6-0 mixed traffic design ("Cauliflowers"), and an 0-8-0 freight locomotive with two compound variants and a simple expansion version produced in parallel, The last-mentioned was continuously developed and built down to LMS days, most earlier locomotives being rebuilt to conform. Controversy There does however remain some controversy over Webb's own two distinct compound systems applied to a number of locomotive designs, which are reputed to have given considerable trouble in service. The Webb Experiment or Improved Precedent class were withdrawn by his successor George Whale soon after he succeeded Webb in 1903. An obituary in The Engineer (8 June 1906) criticised his express compound design, which used un-coupled high and low pressure cylinders, a design promoted by Webb alone. The article caused open debate in the pages of the journal, mostly based on the perceived flaw of not utilising coupling rods. In the 20 June edition the editor of the journal continued the attack on the deceased engineer, stating: Other work Webb was also responsible for the remodelling of Crewe station which involved the building of four tracks in underpasses on the west side of the station to carry freight trains. He made numerous inventions and received over 80 patents. He was Vice-President of the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Political life Webb took a great interest in local politics and was an Alderman on the Crewe Town Council and was Mayor twice, in 1887 and 1888. He was also an Alderman on Cheshire County Council - useful for the LNWR as the council controlled matters relating to the railway, including the rates the company paid. Webb also served as a magistrate. Philanthropy In Crewe he was for very many years remembered as a major benefactor of the "Webb Orphanage", a beautiful red-brick building with extensive playing fields behind the railway works and fronting on Victoria Avenue In 1887, together with Richard Moon, chairman of the LNWR, he presented, to the Crewe Corporation, on behalf of the railway company, Queen's Park, a large and beautifully landscaped park with attractive entrance gates and lodges (complete with inscribed decoration mentioning both Moon and Webb) and also fronting on Victoria Avenue. He also helped Crewe Alexandra cricket club relocate from the Alexandra Recreation Ground on Nantwich Road