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Star was a locomotive designed by Isaac Dodds of the 2-2-0 configuration and built in 1833 at the Horsley Coal & Iron Company, Tipton, Birmingham, England. [2] Despite rebuilds, it was never a successful engine, and was scrapped in 1840. [2]
Isaac Dodds became engaged with the Horsely Iron Company in the summer of 1832, and was seeming ably to facilitate orders from throughout the British Isles. [3] In 1833 the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, a leading railway operating company of that time, opened a competition for a new locomotive design. The Dodd's designed entry through Horsley was seemingly the best, with new innovations claimed included a slid plate frame, expanding boiler attachment plates at the firebox end, and horizontal cylinders fitted outside the frame. [3] The resulting locomotive Star was initially trialled on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway (L&MR). [2]
A serious accident occurred on the L&MR when points were set incorrectly and Star ran onto the opposite track and collided with Caledonian leaving both badly damaged, an engineman killed, and a mechanic with a crushed foot. [4] The accident occurred around February/March 1835 and the L&MR, while willing to pay for repairs were not prepared to purchase Star [5] [b]
Star was subsequently bought by the Dublin and Kingstown Railway (D&KR) in April 1835. [2] Before the line opened D&KR directors received advice from their consultants for the number of locomotives needed for their line. As Rastrick specified four and Charles Blacker Vignoles recommended eight the directors settled on a median of six, [6] though the D&KR later settled on nine. [7] [1] The collision of two locomotives in March 1835 plus ongoing maintenance problems left the D&KR with a possible motive power shortage. [6] In May 1835 Pollock, the representative of Star's owner Horlseys, offered the locomotive to increase their stock. [8] The D&KR's Company clerk Bergin was also an engineer and in England at the time, and recommended the purchase of Star; ultimately an offer for £700 was accepted. [1]
Star arrived in Ireland in September 1835. [1] The engine was not in good order with unsafe wheels, bent rods and incorrectly adjusted valved gear, and on inspection Bergin said the D&KR would not pay for it until repaired and acceptance trials completed. [9] Payment was completed in December 1836. [9]
A bonus payment was given to locomotive superintendent John Melling in February 1838 for his rebuilding of Star. However Star suffered at least five derailments, one with a broken axle, until a collision with the locomotive Victoria in June 1840. Inspection showed prohibitively high repair costs, compounded by previous inadequate repairs and various parts being worn out. [9] Star was scrapped later that year, [2] with some parts being reused for Bellisle. [10]