GWR Sharp, Roberts locomotives

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 84 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Career Number in class 3 Withdrawn 1847-1872 Disposition Unknown, probably scrapped

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.

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 After it was withdrawn it was sold to a Mr Glasbrook in Swansea. It was named after Atlas, a Greek Titan.

• Eagle (Sharp, Roberts T; 1838–1871)

This locomotive was rebuilt as a 2-2-T 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.