Wednesday, April 9, 2014

broad gauge 'North Star' 2-2-2

"Single wheeler" really means here one driving axle in the center. One of the Great Western Railway's "Star" class, this arrived at Maidenhead Bridge by barge on 28 November 1837; on 31 May 1838 it worked the inaugural train for the company's directors. Built by R Stephenson & Co., it was withdrawn in 1871 but kept at Swindon, along with Lord of the Isles, until 1906.  The GWR's original gauge was the peculiar 7ft plus one quarter inch or 2140 mm, later changed to standard gauge.

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