Lancashire Witch

Lancashire Witch

Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Robert Stephenson Builder Robert Stephenson and Company Build date 1828

Specifications Configuration 0-4-0 Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Loco weight 7 long tons (7,100 kg) Fuel type coke Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 9" x 24" (228mm x 610mm)

Performance figures Maximum speed 8 miles per hour (12.9 km/h)

Career Operators Bolton and Leigh Railway First run June 1828

Lancashire Witch was an early steam locomotive built by Robert Stephenson and Company in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1828. It was a development of Locomotion.

Description

Lancashire Witch was an 0-4-0 locomotive with rear mounted cylinders inclined at 45 degrees driving to the front wheels. The rear wheels were powered via coupling rods. The boiler had two flue tubes and the locomotive burnt coke, aided by bellows on the tender. It was the first locomotive with steel springs.^[1] It was the first locomotive built by Robert Stephenson and Company.^[2]

History

Built at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1828, Lancashire Witch was used on the Bolton and Leigh Railway,^[1] which opened in June 1828, and also on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway.

Postage stamps

Lancashire Witch appeared on two postage stamps issued by Funafuti-Tuvalu on 24 December 1984.

Other locomotives

British Rail 86 213 was also named Lancashire Witch

London, Midland and Scottish Railway Royal Scot Class 4-6-0 locomotive 6125 was originally named Lancashire Witch. This loco was built by the North British Locomotive Company at Glasgow in September 1927 and withdrawn in October 1964 as 46125 3rd Carabinier.

Class 86 locomotive 86 213 was named Lancashire Witch. This locomotive has been preserved in operational condition by the AC Locomotive Group.

References

Bibliography