Bristol and Exeter Railway 2-4-0 locomotives

The Bristol and Exeter Railway 2-4-0 locomotives were two classes of 2-4-0 broad gauge steam locomotives.

On 1 January 1876 the Bristol and Exeter Railway was amalgamated with the Great Western Railway, after which the locomotives were given new numbers. They were used as pilot engines at large stations and on other light duties shared with the GWR Hawthorn Class.

List of locomotives

Broad gauge

B&ER 2-4-0

Type and origin Power type Steam Designer James Pearson Builder Bristol and Exeter Railway

Specifications Configuration 2-4-0 Gauge 7 ft 0¼ in Leading dia 4 ft 0 in Driver diameter 6 ft 7½ in Wheelbase 15 ft 8 in Cylinder size 17 in dia × 24 in stroke

The first ten locomotives were introduced in 1870 to replace 1849 built 4-2-2s. The last of the locomotives were withdrawn at the end of the broad gauge on 20 May 1892.

• 2 (1872 – 1888) GWR No. 2015
• 4 (1871 – 1892) GWR No. 2016
• 5 (1871 – 1892) GWR No. 2017
• 6 (1870 – 1890) GWR No. 2018
• 8 (1872 – 1889) GWR No. 2019
• 14 (1870 – 1892) GWR No. 2020
• 43 (1871 – 1892) GWR No. 2021
• 44 (1870 – 1888) GWR No. 2022
• 45 (1870 – 1888) GWR No. 2023
• 46 (1870 – 1889) GWR No. 2024

Convertible

B&ER 2-4-0

Type and origin Power type Steam Designer James Pearson Builder Bristol and Exeter Railway

Specifications Configuration 2-4-0 Gauge 7 ft 0¼ in Leading dia 4 ft 0 in Driver diameter 6 ft 4 in Wheelbase 15 ft 8 in Cylinder size in dia × in stroke

Three more locomotives were built in 1874. These were designed to be converted to standard gauge but this was never carried out, the locomotives all being withdrawn by 1886.

• 11 (1874 – 1886) GWR No. 2025
• 20 (1874 – 1886) GWR No. 2026
• 34 (1875 – 1884) GWR No. 2027

References

• The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, Part 2: Broad Gauge. The Railway Correspondence and Travel Society. ISBN 0-901115-32-0.
• Waters, Laurence (1999). The Great Western Broad Gauge. Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 0-7110-2634-3.