GWR Firefly Class

Specifications
Specifications
Configuration:;
• Whyte	2-2-2
Gauge	7 ft 1⁄4 in (2,140 mm)
Leading dia.	4 ft 0 in (1.219 m)
Driver dia.	7 ft 0 in (2.134 m)
Trailing dia.	4 ft 0 in (1.219 m)
Wheelbase	13 ft 2 in (4.013 m)
Cylinder size	15 in × 18 in (381 mm × 457 mm) dia x stroke ; later 16-by-20-inch (406 mm × 508 mm)

Type and origin
Type and origin
Power type	Steam
Designer	Daniel Gooch
Builder	Jones, Turner and Evans (6); Sharp, Roberts and Company (10); Fenton, Murray and Jackson (20); G. and J. Rennie (2); R. B. Longridge and Company (6); Stothert, Slaughter and Company (2); Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company (16);
Build date	1840–1842
Total produced	62

*Fire Fly*
Fire Fly
	Replica of the Great Western Railway Gooch 7 foot gauge "Priam" Class, or “Firefly” Class 2-2-2 "Fire Fly”.
Power type
Type and origin
Power type	Steam
Designer	Daniel Gooch
Builder	Jones, Turner and Evans (6); Sharp, Roberts and Company (10); Fenton, Murray and Jackson (20); G. and J. Rennie (2); R. B. Longridge and Company (6); Stothert, Slaughter and Company (2); Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company (16);
Build date	1840–1842
Total produced	62
Configuration:;
Specifications
Configuration:;
• Whyte	2-2-2
Gauge	7 ft 1⁄4 in (2,140 mm)
Leading dia.	4 ft 0 in (1.219 m)
Driver dia.	7 ft 0 in (2.134 m)
Trailing dia.	4 ft 0 in (1.219 m)
Wheelbase	13 ft 2 in (4.013 m)
Cylinder size	15 in × 18 in (381 mm × 457 mm) dia x stroke ; later 16-by-20-inch (406 mm × 508 mm)
Operators
Career
Operators	Great Western Railway
Class	Fire Fly, or Priam
Disposition	Original 62 withdrawn and scrapped, new replica built in 2005

Last updated April 02, 2024

The Firefly was a class of broad gauge 2-2-2 steam locomotives used for passenger services on the Great Western Railway. The class was introduced into service between March 1840 and December 1842, and withdrawn between December 1863 and July 1879.

Locomotives

A to D

Acheron: 1842–1866. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. The name Acheron comes from a Greek river and was later carried by a Hawthorn class locomotive.
Achilles: 1841–1867. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. The name is that of a Greek mythological warrior. See Achilles .
Actaeon: 1841–1868. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company, the name is that of a hero from Greek mythology. See Actaeon .
Arab: 1841–1870. Built by G and J Rennie. An Arab is a member of an ethnic group found mainly in the Middle East and Africa.
Argus: 1842–1873. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. Argus was the builder of the Argo , a ship in Greek mythology.
Arrow: 1841–1864. Built by Stothert and Slaughter. An arrow is a pointed projectile weapon.
Bellona: 1841–1870. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. Bellona was a Roman goddess.
Castor: 1841–1874. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. Castor was the twin of Pollux in Greek mythology.
Centaur: 1841–1867. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. A centaur is a Greek mythological creature, half human and half horse.
Cerebus: 1841–1866. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. Cerebus was a character in Greek mythology and the name was later carried by a Hawthorn class locomotive.
Charon: 1840–1878. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. In Greek mythology, Charon was the ferryman who carried the dead in his boat.
Cyclops: 1840–1865. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. The Cyclopes were one-eyed figures in Greek mythology.
Damon: 1842–1870. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. Damon was a follower of the Greek philosopher, Pythagoras.
Dart: 1841–1870. Built by Stothert and Slaughter. A dart is a projectile weapon.

E to H

Electra: 1842–1867. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. In Greek mythology, Electra was daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra.
Erebus: 1842–1873. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. Erebus was the son of the primordial Greek god, Chaos.
Falcon: 1840–1867. Built by Sharp, Roberts and Company. A falcon is a kind of bird of prey.
Fire Ball: 1840–1866. Built by Jones, Turner and Evans with a 13-foot-4-inch (4.06 m) wheelbase, Fire Ball hauled the first train from Temple Meads to Bath on 31 August 1840, and from Temple Meads to Bridgwater on 14 June 1841. It was rebuilt c.1849 as a saddle tank locomotive. This was one of six Fire Fly class locomotives named with a fire theme - the term fire ball refers to an explosion of fire.
Fire Brand: 1840–1866. Built by Jones, Turner and Evans with a 13-foot-4-inch (4.06 m) wheelbase. A firebrand is a piece of burning wood, but also used to denote a person with a fiery temperament.
Fire Fly: 1840–1870. Built by Jones, Turner and Evans with a 13-foot-4-inch (4.06 m) wheelbase. A firefly is a luminous beetle.
Fire King: 1840–1875. This locomotive crashed in front of Isambard Kingdom Brunel on 25 October 1840, the first recorded accident on the railway. The driver and a guard were killed when Fire King and its goods train failed to stop at the temporary terminus at Faringdon Road. It had been built by Jones, Turner and Evans with a 13-foot-4-inch (4.06 m) wheelbase, and was rebuilt circa 1849 as a saddle tank locomotive.
Ganymede: 1842–1878. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. Ganymede was a hero in Greek mythology.
Gorgon: 1841–1878. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. The Gorgon was a Greek mythological monster with hair of living snakes.
Greyhound: 1841–1866. Built by Sharp, Roberts and Company. A greyhound is a kind of dog bred for its speed.
Harpy: 1841–1873. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. A harpy was a Greek mythological winged spirit.
Hawk: 1840–1865. Built by Sharp, Roberts and Company. A hawk is a kind of bird of prey; the name was later carried by a Hawthorn class locomotive.
Hecate: 1841–1867. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. Hecate was a Greek goddess of childbirth.
Hector: 1841–1866. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. Hector was a Greek hero in the Trojan War.
Hydra: 1842–1865. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. The Hydra was a many-headed serpent in Greek mythology.

I to N

Ixion: 1841–1879. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson, this was the locomotive that represented the broad gauge at the Gauge Commission trials of 1845, achieving a maximum of 61 miles per hour (98 km/h). Ixion was a king in Greek mythology.
Jupiter: 1841–1867. Built by R. B. Longridge and Company. This locomotive was named after Jupiter, a senior Roman god.
Leopard: 1840–1878. Built by Sharp, Roberts and Company. A leopard is a large member of the cat family.
Lethe: 1842–1878. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. Lethe is one of the rivers in Hades, the Greek underworld, and drinking its waters caused forgetfulness.
Lucifer: 1841–1870. Built by R B Longridge and Company. Lucifer was the poetic Roman name for the morning star.
Lynx: 1840–1870. Built by Sharp, Roberts and Company. A lynx is a kind of wild cat.
Mars: 1841–1868. Built by R B Longridge and Company. This locomotive was named after Mars, the Roman god of war.
Mazeppa: 1841–1868. Built by G and J Rennie. Mazeppa was a popular Victorian heroic poem.
Medea: 1842–1873. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. Medea was a princess in Greek mythology.
Medusa: 1842–1864. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. Medusa was a Greek mythological monster whose look could turn a person to stone.
Mentor: 1841–1867. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. The original mentor was a friend of Odysseus who featured in Greek mythology.
Mercury: 1841–1865. Built by R B Longridge and Company. This locomotive was named after Mercury, a Roman god.
Milo: 1841–1866. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. This locomotive was probably named after Titus Annius Milo, a Roman politician.
Minos: 1841–1870. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. Minos was a king of Crete featured in Greek mythology.

N to W

Orion: 1842–1867. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. Rebuilt as a 4-2-2ST saddle tank locomotive. This locomotive was probably named after Orion of Thebes, a Grecian scholar.
Ostrich: 1840–1865. Built by Sharp, Roberts and Company. An ostrich is a large flightless bird; the name was later carried by a Hawthorn class locomotive.
Panther: 1840–1869. Built by Sharp, Roberts and Company. A panther is a big cat and appears in Greek mythology as an animal that carried gods.
Pegasus: 1842–1868. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. Pegasus was the winged horse of Greek mythology.
Phlegethon: 1842–1866. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson, this locomotive had the privilege of powering Queen Victoria's first railway journey on 13 June 1842. Phlegethon was one of the five rivers of the Greek underworld. The name was later carried by a Hawthorn class locomotive.
Phoenix: 1842–1870. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. The phoenix was a Greek mythological bird that is reborn from the ashes of its fiery death.
Pluto: 1841–1870. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. This locomotive was named after Pluto, the Roman god of the underworld.
Pollux: 1842–1866. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. Pollux was the twin of Castor in Greek mythology; the name was later transferred to a Hawthorn class locomotive.
Priam: 1842–1864. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. Priam was the king of Troy during the Trojan War.
Proserpine: 1842–1873. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. Proserpine was the goddess of the Greek underworld.
Saturn: 1841–1878. Built by R B Longridge and Company. This locomotive is named after Saturn, the Roman god of the harvest.
Spit Fire: 1840–1878. Built by Jones, Turner and Evans with a 13-foot-4-inch (4.06 m) wheelbase.
Stag: 1840–1870. Built by Sharp, Roberts and Company. A stag is a male deer.
Stentor: 1842–1867. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. Stentor was a herald in the Trojan War.
Tiger: 1840–1873. Built by Sharp, Roberts and Company, it derailed near Chippenham on 7 September 1841 due to an earthslip, although Rising Star , which was coupled in front, ran over the damaged track without mishap. A tiger is a big cat.
Venus: 1841–1870. Built by R B Longridge and Company. This locomotive was named after Venus, the Roman goddess of love.
Vesta: 1841–1864. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. Vesta was the Roman goddess of the home.
Vulture: 1840–1870. Built by Sharp, Roberts and Company. A vulture is a large scavenging bird.
Wild Fire: 1840–1867. Built by Jones, Turner and Evans with a 13-foot-4-inch (4.06 m) wheelbase. One of six Firefly Class locomotives named with a fire theme; a wildfire is another name for a forest fire.

Accidents and incidents

On 25 November 1852, Lynx was hauling a passenger train which was derailed at Gatcombe, Gloucestershire.^[1]

Replica

Firefly (2005)

A 63rd member of the Fire Fly class was unveiled to the public in 2005. It is working a replica of the original Fire Fly and is based at Didcot Railway Centre.

In literature

A silver model of a Firefly Class locomotive provides a plotline in the novel "The Silver Locomotive Mystery" by Edward Marston, published 2009.

Related Research Articles

James Hall Nasmyth was a Scottish engineer, philosopher, artist and inventor famous for his development of the steam hammer. He was the co-founder of Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company manufacturers of machine tools. He retired at the age of 48, and moved to Penshurst, Kent where he developed his hobbies of astronomy and photography.

John Viret Gooch FRSA was the locomotive superintendent of the London and South Western Railway from 1841 to 1850. Born at Bedlington, Northumberland, John Viret Gooch was the son of John and Anna.

Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-2-2 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle, two powered driving wheels on one axle, and two trailing wheels on one axle. The wheel arrangement both provided more stability and enabled a larger firebox than the earlier 0-2-2 and 2-2-0 types. This wheel arrangement is sometimes described as a Single, although this name could be used to describe any kind of locomotive with a single pair of driving wheels.

The Great Western Railway (GWR) Star Class of 2-2-2 broad gauge steam locomotives were used for passenger train work. Designed by Robert Stephenson, the class was introduced into service between November 1838 and November 1841, and withdrawn between April 1864 and September 1871.

The Great Western Railway Premier Class 0-6-0 broad gauge steam locomotives for goods train work. This class was introduced into service between February 1846 and May 1847, and withdrawn between March 1866 and June 1872.

The Great Western Railway Hawthorn Class were 2-4-0 broad gauge steam locomotives for passenger train work. This class was introduced into service in 1865, a development of the Victoria Class.

Naismith, Nasmith, Nasmyth, or Naysmith may refer to:

The Great Western Railway Leo Class2-4-0 was a class of broad gauge steam locomotives for goods train work. This class was introduced into service between January 1841 and July 1842, and withdrawn between September 1864 and June 1874.

The Great Western Railway Sun Class were 2-2-2 broad gauge steam locomotives for passenger train work. This class was introduced into service between April 1840 and January 1842, and withdrawn between January 1864 and June 1879.

Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company, originally called The Bridgewater Foundry, specialised in the production of heavy machine tools and locomotives. It was located in Patricroft, in Salford England, close to the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the Bridgewater Canal and the Manchester Ship Canal. The company was founded in 1836 and dissolved in 1940.

Fenton, Murray and Jackson was an engineering company at the Round Foundry off Water Lane in Holbeck, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.

Little information remains about the North Midland Railway Locomotives. Unlike other railway companies, the North Midland Railway of England did not give names to its locomotives.

The Comet class were 12 4-4-0ST broad gauge locomotives operated on the South Devon Railway and associated railways. They were designed for passenger trains on this steep and sharply curved line but were also used on goods trains when required.

The GWR Hercules Class were four broad gauge steam locomotives for the Great Western Railway. They were its first 0-6-0 locomotives, being built in 1842 by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company stemming from the company's need for goods locomotives. This resulted in the last four Firefly Class locomotives being modified while still in production. From about 1865, the Hercules Class locomotives became part of the Fury Class, along with the Premier Class locomotives. They were withdrawn between 1870 and 1871.

The first 19 locomotives ordered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the Great Western Railway included six 2-2-2 Charles Tayleur locomotives. They were built by Charles Tayleur and Company, which became later the Vulcan Foundry. The locomotives were unsuccessful and rapidly supplemented by the Star Class locomotives ordered by Daniel Gooch once he had been appointed as the Locomotive Engineer. As built, they comprised two groups of three: the first group, delivered in 1837, had cylinders having a bore of 14 inches (360 mm) and the second group, delivered in 1838, had cylinders having a bore of 12 inches (300 mm); all had a stroke of 16 inches (410 mm).

The first 19 locomotives ordered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the Great Western Railway included six 2-2-2 Mather, Dixon locomotives. They were built by Mather, Dixon and Company, but were unsuccessful, and were rapidly replaced by the Star Class locomotives ordered by Daniel Gooch, once he had been appointed as the Locomotive Engineer.

The Munich–Augsburg Railway Company, the second private railway company in Bavaria, built the Munich–Augsburg line between 1838 and 1840. It was nationalised in 1846 and became part of the Royal Bavarian State Railways, subsequently forming part of the Bavarian Maximilian’s Railway built between 1851 and 1854.

Swiftsure was first of eight or more similar locomotives with a single pair of driving wheels built by George Forrester and Company (Forresters) from 1834. The tank variant was the first passenger tank engine to enter service in the world.

References

↑ Earnshaw, Alan (1990). Trains in Trouble: Vol. 6. Penryn: Atlantic Books. p. 2. ISBN 0-906899-37-0.

Sources

Reed, P. J. T. (February 1953). White, D. E. (ed.). The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, Part 2: Broad Gauge. Kenilworth: RCTS. pp. B13–B15. ISBN 0-901115-32-0.
Rolt, L.T.C. (1970). Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Pelican.
Waters, Laurence (1999). The Great Western Broad Gauge . Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 0-7110-2634-3 – via Archive.org.

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[Earnshaw6-1] Earnshaw, Alan (1990). Trains in Trouble: Vol. 6. Penryn: Atlantic Books. p. 2. ISBN 0-906899-37-0.

[1]