GWR Firefly Class

Fire Fly

Argus, built by Fenton Murray and Jackson

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

Specifications Configuration 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)

Career Operators Great Western Railway Class Fire Fly Disposition Original 62 withdrawn and scrapped, new one built in 2005

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 The class was introduced into service between March 1840 and December 1842, and withdrawn between December 1863 and July 1879.

Following the success of the Star class locomotives introduced to the Great Western Railway by Daniel Gooch, Gooch set to work to develop a new class based on North Star, but with larger boilers. The result was the Fire Fly, later followed by 61 similar locomotives designated the same class.

From about 1865, the Fire Fly Class locomotives became part of the Priam Class, along with the Prince Class locomotives.

The original Fire Fly is said to have covered the 30.75 miles (49.49 km) from Twyford to London Paddington in 37 minutes, an average speed of 50 miles per hour (80 km/h), which was unprecedented in 1840.

A 63rd member of the Fire Fly class was unveiled to the public in 2005. It is a replica of the original Fire Fly and is kept at Didcot Railway Centre. It can be seen in steam on regular occasions throughout the year.