GWR Sharp, Roberts locomotives

The first 19 locomotives ordered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the Great Western Railway included three 2-2-2 Sharp, Roberts locomotives. They were built by Sharp, Roberts and Company and the most successful of the early designs, two lasting until the 1870s.

GWR Lion, Atlas and Eagle
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Sharp, Roberts & Co. Serial number R, S, and T Build date 1838 Total produced 3 Rebuild date 1844 Number rebuilt 2 (Atlas and Eagle)
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-2-2 2-2-2T (after rebuild) Gauge 7 ft ^1⁄4 in (2,140 mm) Leading dia. 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Driver dia. 6 ft 0 in (1,829 mm) Trailing dia. 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Wheelbase 13 ft 10 in (4.22 m) Cylinder size 14 in × 15 in (356 mm × 381 mm) 14-by-18-inch (356 mm × 457 mm) or 15-by-18-inch (381 mm × 457 mm) (after rebuild)
Career Operators Great Western Railway Number in class 3 Withdrawn 1847-1872 Disposition Unknown, probably scrapped

The original 14-by-15-inch (356 mm × 381 mm) cylinders were replaced from 1844 by larger 14-by-18-inch (356 mm × 457 mm) or 15-by-18-inch (381 mm × 457 mm) ones.

Locomotives

• Lion (Sharp, Roberts R; 1838–1847)
• Atlas (Sharp, Roberts S; 1838–1872)

This locomotive was rebuilt as a 2-2-2T tank locomotive in 1860. After it was withdrawn it was sold to a Mr Glasbrook in Swansea.

• Eagle (Sharp, Roberts T; 1838–1871)

This locomotive was rebuilt as a 2-2-2T tank locomotive in 1860.

References

• Reed, P. J. T. (February 1953). White, D. E. (ed.). The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, Part 2: Broad Gauge. Kenilworth: RCTS. pp. B10–B11. ISBN 0-901115-32-0.
• Waters, Laurence (1999). The Great Western Broad Gauge. Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 0-7110-2634-3 – via Archive.org.