The prototype locomotive, Great Western, was built as a 2-2-2 locomotive in April 1846, but was soon converted to a 4-2-2 arrangement. The remainder of the class entered service between April 1847 and July 1855. Locomotives of the Iron Duke class were extremely fast and had an estimated top speed of about 80 mph (133 km/h). They were used to haul the Flying Dutchman express train which, for several decades, was the world's fastest train. In 1852 the daily service from London Paddington Station to Exeter (194 miles) was achieved with an average speed of 53 mph (88 km/h); with the flatter section between London and Swindon covered at an average speed of 59 mph [1]. From about 1865, the Iron Duke Class was known as the Alma Class. In May to July 1870, three locomotives (Great Britain, Prometheus and Estaffete) were extensively rebuilt with new frames and boilers, but retaining their original names. Following these, further locomotives were built to similar specifications, entering service between August 1871 and July 1888. These new locomotives are generally referred to as the Rover class. Although these locomotives took the names of withdrawn locomotives of the original design, they were not rebuilt from them like the first three, but entirely new locomotives (though it is believed that Rover, Swallow and Balaklava may have included some parts from the earlier locomotives of those names). Apart from the three conversions, the original locomotives were withdrawn between December 1870 and June 1884. Lord of the Isles (the last to be withdrawn) was initially preserved by the GWR at Swindon Works, but was scrapped in January 1906 owing to pressure of space. The three conversions were withdrawn between September 1880 and October 1887, while the other locomotives to the later design were all withdrawn with the end of the GWR broad gauge in May 1892 (except Hirondelle, which had been withdrawn in December 1890). Many of the nameplates can be seen at the National Railway Museum and at Swindon Steam Railway Museum, while the driving wheels from Lord of the Isles can also be seen at Swindon.
Great Western, named after the railway, was designed to show how the 2-2-2 express engines could be improved; the eight feet diameter driving wheels being a foot larger than those of the successful Fire Fly class.
It broke its leading axle after a short while in service and was subsequently rebuilt as a 4-2-2, becoming part of the Iron Duke class.
This was the second production locomotive, as one of the first batch built it had an 18 feet 6 inch wheelbase. It shared a name with Isambard Kingdom Brunel's SS Great Britain steamship, launched in 1843. For deatils of the country see Great Britain.
Great Western (1846 - 1870)
The prototype locomotive was rebuilt from a 2-2-2 and continued in service until 1870, now with a wheelbase of 18 feet 11½ inches. It was named after the railway company. The name had been used earlier for Isambard Kingdom Brunel's first steam ship, see SS Great Western.
As one of the first batch built, this engine had an 18 feet 6 inch wheelbase. Iron Duke was a popular name for the Duke of Wellington.
Kertch (1855 0 1872)
The locomotive was named to commemorate a Crimean War battle at Kertch.
Lightning (1847 - 1878)
As one of the first batch built, this engine had an 18 feet 6 inch wheelbase. The name represented power and speed, See Lightning.
Lord of the Isles (1851 - 1884)
Before entering service, this locomotive had carried the name Charles Russell in honour of a Great Western Railway director and was exhibited at the Great Exhibition in London. The following year it hauled the director's inspection train from Paddington station to Birmingham but was involved in a collision at Aynho railway station.
Prometheus was at the locomotive sheds at Westbourne Park outside Paddington Station on 8 November1862 when its boiler exploded. It was rebuilt again in 1870 with a new bolier, the wheelbase being increased to 19 feet, similar to the Rover class introduced the following year.
As one of the first batch built, this engine had an 18 feet 6 inch wheelbase. It was involved in an accident at Ealling, six passengers being killed when it ran into some goods wagons that were being shunted.
Bukeley worked the last broad gauge passenger train out of Paddington Station on the afternoon of Friday, 20 May1892. It worked this as far as Bristol Temple Meads and then returned early the following morning with the last train from Penzance, thus being the last broad gauge locomtive to work as passeneger train on the main line.
Courier (1878 - 1892)
The name was reused from an Iron Duke class locomotive withdrawn in 1877. See above for details.
Crimea (1878 - 1892)
The name was reused from an Iron Duke class locomotive withdrawn in 1876. See above for details.
Dragon (1880 - 1892)
The name was reused from an Iron Duke class locomotive withdrawn in 1872. See above for details.
Emperor (1880 - 1892)
The name was reused from an Iron Duke class locomotive withdrawn in 1873. See above for details.
Scale model of GWR Emperor at STEAM Museum, Swindon
Eupatoria (1878 - 1892)
The name was reused from an Iron Duke class locomotive withdrawn in 1876. See above for details.
Great Britain (1880 - 1892)
The name was reused from an Iron Duke class locomotive withdrawn in 1880. See above for details.
Great Western (1888 - 1892)
The name was reused from an Iron Duke class locomotive withdrawn in 1870. See above for details.
Great Western had the honour of hauling the last broad gauge "Cornishman" service from Paddington Station, which was the last through train to Penzance, although the locomotives were changed at Bristol Temple Meads.
Hirondelle (1873 - 1890)
The name was reused from an Iron Duke class locomotive withdrawn in 1873. See above for details.
Inkermann (1878 - 1892)
The name was reused from an Iron Duke class locomotive withdrawn in 1877. See above for details.
Iron Duke (1873- 1892)
The name was reused from an Iron Duke class locomotive withdrawn in 1871. See above for details.
Lightning (1878 - 1892)
The name was reused from an Iron Duke class locomotive withdrawn in 1878. See above for details.
Prometheus (1888 - 1892)
The name was reused from an Iron Duke class locomotive withdrawn in 1887. See above for details.
Rover (1871 - 1892)
The name was reused from an Iron Duke class locomotive withdrawn in 1871. See above for details.
Sebastopol (1880 - 1892)
The name was reused from an Iron Duke class locomotive withdrawn in 1880. See above for details.
Sultan (1876 - 1892)
The name was reused from an Iron Duke class locomotive withdrawn in 1874. See above for details.
Swallow (1871 - 1892)
The name was reused from an Iron Duke class locomotive withdrawn in 1871. See above for details.
Tartar (1876 - 1892)
The name was reused from an Iron Duke class locomotive withdrawn in 1876. See above for details.
Timour (1873 - 1892)
The name was reused from an Iron Duke class locomotive withdrawn in 1871. See above for details.
Tornado (1888 - 1892)
The name was reused from an Iron Duke class locomotive withdrawn in 1881. See above for details.
Warlock (1876 - 1892)
The name was reused from an Iron Duke class locomotive withdrawn in 1874. See above for details.
Replica
1985 replica of Iron Duke locomotive. Taken at the Maritime Heritage Centre alongside the Great Western Dockyard, Bristol for the duration of the Brunel 200 celebrations.
