Overview

The Great Western Railway experienced the trauma and disruption of the end of the broad gauge in 1892 and were faced with equipping the network with suitable motive power, especially in Devon and Cornwall where the last track conversion had taken place. West of Newton Abbot, the GWR had relied on a variety of 4-4-0, 2-4-0, 0-4-2 and 0-4-4 side and saddle tanks, often doubled-headed, and Dean set about designing a sturdy outside-framed powerful 4-4-0 with 5ft 8in coupled wheels, the 'Dukes', to tackle increasing loads over the heavily graded main line. Then, Churchward came to assist the ailing Locomotive Superintendent, using his knowledge and experience of American and continental practice to develop the Dean designs. He improved the efficiency and performance of the boilers, using the Belgian Belpaire firebox, then developed the tapered 'cone' boiler, and applied it to the chassis of the 'Duke's to form the 'Camel' class, later known as the 'Bulldogs', which eventually numbered 156 locomotives.Finally, in the 1930s when engines of the 'Duke' route availability were still required but their frames were life-expired, their boilers were matched with the stronger frames of the 'Bulldogs' to form the 'Dukedog' class, which lasted until the 1950s, particularly on the former Cambrian lines in mid-Wales. This book recounts the design, construction and operation of these small-wheeled outside-framed locomotives with many rare photos of their operation in the first decade of the twentieth century as well as in more recent times. AUTHOR: David Maidment was born in 1938. He began his railway career in 1961 and retired from the railway industry over eighteen years ago. Since retirement his life has been just as busy; he balances his writing with speaking in schools, church groups and general interest clubs, and his role as an activist in the voluntary sector. In 1996, David received an OBE for his services to the railway industry and, in 2012, he received a Life Achievement Award at the National Rail Awards. His published works include articles on railway history, safety, practice, performance and nostalgia, and several books including The Great Western Eight Coupled Heavy Freight Locomotives, A Privileged Journey, An Indian Summer of Steam and The Other Railway Children, among other publications. 250 colour and b/w illustrations, weight diagrams and a list of locomotives

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9781473896451

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David Maidment was born in 1938. He began his railway career in 1961 and retired from the railway industry over eighteen years ago. Since retirement his life has been just as busy; he balances his writing with speaking in schools, church groups and general interest clubs, and his role as an activist in the voluntary sector. In 1996, David received an OBE for his services to the railway industry and, in 2012, he received a Life Achievement Award at the National Rail Awards. His published works include articles on railway history, safety, practice, performance and nostalgia, and several books including The Great Western Eight Coupled Heavy Freight Locomotives, A Privileged Journey, An Indian Summer of Steam and The Other Railway Children, among other publications.

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