Broad Gauge Engines of the Great Western Railway Part 1:1837-1840

The Great Western Railway's first engines were a motley selection, sourced from a variety of manufacturers, their design and performance not assisted by the stringent conditions imposed by Brunel during the tendering process. Nevertheless, most of them were made to work by his brilliant young locomotive superintendent, Daniel Gooch. Following on from these came the GWR's first class of engines as such, the 'Stars', built by Robert Stephenson & Co. From these many lessons were to be learned, that stood the company in good stead when Gooch started designing engines for the GWR in the early 1840s. Part 1 begins the story of the GWR's broad gauge fleet of engines by looking at the design, construction and life of these early machines, starting with those locomotives supplied for the opening of their main line. There then follows a detailed study of the 'Star' Class, one of which, North Star, was to enter the annals of GWR history. To complete this first part of the story a detailed appendices is given.