GWR Thunderer locomotive

Thunderer was the first of a pair of steam locomotives (the other being Hurricane) built for the Great Western Railway (GWR), England, by R. & W. Hawthorn & Co. whose design was very different from other locomotives. In order to meet Isambard Kingdom Brunel's strict specifications, an 0-4-0 frame carried the 'engine', while the boiler was on a separate six-wheeled frame. The driving wheels were geared 10:27 to reduce the cylinder stroke speed while allowing high track speed, in line with the specifications.

GWR Thunderer
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer T. E. Harrison Builder R. & W. Hawthorn & Co. Serial number 235 Build date 1838 Total produced 1
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-4-0+6 Gauge 7 ft 1⁄4 in (2,140 mm) Driver dia. 6 ft 0 in (1,829 mm) Wheelbase 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) Cylinder size 16 in × 20 in (406 mm × 508 mm)
Career Operators Great Western Railway Number in class 1 Withdrawn 1839 Disposition Scrapped

The locomotive was delivered to the GWR on 6 March 1838 and ceased work in December 1839 after running only 9,882 miles (15,904 km), but its boiler section was kept as a stationary unit.

See also

• GWR Haigh Foundry locomotives, further geared locomotives

References

• Reed, P. J. T. (February 1953). White, D. E. (ed.). The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, Part 2: Broad Gauge. Kenilworth: RCTS. ISBN 0-901115-32-0.
• Waters, Laurence (1999). The Great Western Broad Gauge. Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 0-7110-2634-3 – via Archive.org.