Locomotive: Great Western 1846
In April, 1846, the first of the famous 8ft. single engines was built at Swindon. This was the "Great Western" , designed by Daniel Gooch, built as a trial engine, which differed from the succeeding "Iron Duke" class in that it ran on six wheels only, and had a fire-box casing of the "Gothic" form. The engine was specially built in view of the impending renewal of the gauge controversy before Parliament.
The cylinders were 18in. by 24in. Driving wheels, 8ft. carrying wheels 4ft, 6in. diameter. Wheel base 16ft., equally divided. Heating surface of 278 2in. tubes, 1582 sq ft; of fire-box 151 sq ft; total 1733 sq ft. Grate area, 22.6 sq ft. Pressure 100 lb per sq inch.
In June 1846, the "Great Western" was stated to have run with 100 tons from London to Swindon, 77.25 miles in 78 minutes, and the same month worked through to Exeter and back, the 194 miles each way being covered in 208 and 211 minutes' running time. [1]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ The Engineer 1925/03/06