GWR 157 Class (Dean)
Encyclopedia
The 157 Class of 2-2-2 steam locomotives designed in 1878-9 by William Dean was originally regarded as a reconstruction or renewal of Joseph Armstrong
's own 157 Class of 1862. But, as was often the case, these Dean engines were new, and had more in common with Armstrong's more recent, and larger, Queen Class, than with the original 157s. The latter had themselves been rebuilds of engines originally built by Sharp, Stewart & Co., which was probably the source of the enduring nickname Sharpies for the new engines. They were also known as Cobhams, after the name carried by No. 162 throughout its life. No. 158 later carried the name "Worcester" and No. 163 may have been named "Beaufort", though this seems uncertain.
The class was numbered 157-166 and constructed at Swindon Works as Lot 51, and in their original state they were among the most beautiful engines ever built for the GWR. Some were shedded at Wolverhampton, others at Westbourne Park near Paddington
, and they worked on express trains alongside the Queen Class. Most were withdrawn in 1903-6, though No. 165 survived until December 1914.
Joseph Armstrong (engineer)
Joseph Armstrong was a British locomotive engineer and the second locomotive superintendent of the Great Western Railway...
's own 157 Class of 1862. But, as was often the case, these Dean engines were new, and had more in common with Armstrong's more recent, and larger, Queen Class, than with the original 157s. The latter had themselves been rebuilds of engines originally built by Sharp, Stewart & Co., which was probably the source of the enduring nickname Sharpies for the new engines. They were also known as Cobhams, after the name carried by No. 162 throughout its life. No. 158 later carried the name "Worcester" and No. 163 may have been named "Beaufort", though this seems uncertain.
The class was numbered 157-166 and constructed at Swindon Works as Lot 51, and in their original state they were among the most beautiful engines ever built for the GWR. Some were shedded at Wolverhampton, others at Westbourne Park near Paddington
Paddington station
Paddington railway station, also known as London Paddington, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex.The site is a historic one, having served as the London terminus of the Great Western Railway and its successors since 1838. Much of the current mainline station dates...
, and they worked on express trains alongside the Queen Class. Most were withdrawn in 1903-6, though No. 165 survived until December 1914.
Source
- F.J. Tabor (1956), Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part four: Six-coupled Tender Engines, RCTS