List of Liverpool and Manchester Railway locomotives

Stephenson's Rocket of 1829

This is a list of locomotives that were used or trialled on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway (L&MR) during its construction, at the Rainhill Trials, and until absorption by the Grand Junction Railway in 1845.

The rate of progress led to quite a rapid turnover in the operating roster. Writing in 1835, de Pambour found that of the L&MR's then thirty engines, ten were seen as obsolete and day-to-day work was concentrated on only ten or eleven of the remainder.^[1] By 1840 only ten remained of the first 32 engines; and of a list of engines in use in 1844, fewer than half were even five years old.^[2]

Locomotives were often also substantially rebuilt. According to de Pambour again, observing the railway in 1834,

"... what is meant by repairs to the engines is nothing less than their complete re-construction; that is to say that when an engine requires any repair, unless it is for some trifling accident, it is taken to pieces and a new one is constructed, which receives the same name as the first, and in the construction of which are made to serve all such parts of the old engine as are still capable of being used with advantage. The consequence of this is that a reconstructed or repaired engine is literally a new one. The repairs amount thus to considerable sums, but they include also the renewal of the engines."^[3]

L&MR No.	Name	Builder	Builder No.	Date built	Wheel arrangement	LNWR No.	Notes
	Lancashire Witch	Robert Stephenson and Company		1828	0-4-0	—	Built for Bolton and Leigh Railway but leased to L&MR.
	Twin Sisters	Robert Stephenson and Company		1829	0-6-0	—	Twin vertical boilers. Used in the construction of the line.
	Cycloped	Thomas Shaw Brandreth		1829		—	Horse powered, unsuccessful Rainhill Trials entrant.
	Novelty	Ericsson & Braithwaite		1829	0-2-2VBWT	—	Rebuilt by Robert Daglish and sold to St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway 3 August 1833.[4] Replica built in 1929 incorporates original wheels and one cylinder.
	Perseverance	Timothy Burstall		1829	0-4-0	—
	Sans Pareil	Timothy Hackworth		1829	0-4-0	—	Leased to Bolton and Leigh Railway in 1831
	William IV	Ericsson & Braithwaite		1830	0-2-2	—
	Queen Adelaide	Ericsson & Braithwaite		1830	0-2-2	—
	Liverpool	Edward Bury and Company		1830	0-4-0[5]	—	First of the Bury Bar Frame locomotives. Ran well, but strongly opposed by George Stephenson. Finally vetoed because of its 6-foot large wheels.
	Manchester	Galloway, Bowman & Glasgow		1831	2-2-0[5]	—
	Hecate					—
1	Rocket	Robert Stephenson and Company	19	1829	0-2-2	—	[6] Participated in Opening Ceremony, driven by Joseph Locke[7] Sold to Lord Carlisle, donated to Patent Office Museum in 1862. Preserved. Contrary to popular belief, George Stephenson had nothing to do with the design or building of this locomotive.[8]
2	Arrow	Robert Stephenson and Company		1830	0-2-2	—	[9]Participated in Opening Ceremony, driven by Frederick Swanwick.[7] Had previously pulled the first full Directors' run, from Liverpool to Manchester and back, on 14 June 1830.
3	Wildfire	Robert Stephenson and Company		1830	0-2-2	—	[9] Later renamed Meteor[4]
4	Dart	Robert Stephenson and Company		1830	0-2-2	—	[9] Participated in Opening Ceremony, driven by Thomas Gooch.[7]
5	Comet	Robert Stephenson and Company		1830	0-2-2	—	[9] Participated in Opening Ceremony, driven by William Allcard.[7]
6	Phoenix	Robert Stephenson and Company		1830	0-2-2[5]	—	[10] Participated in Opening Ceremony, driven by Robert Stephenson[7]
7	Northumbrian	Robert Stephenson and Company		1830	0-2-2	—	[11] Enlarged version of Rocket, Lead locomotive in opening procession, driven by George Stephenson[7]
8	North Star	Robert Stephenson and Company		1830	0-2-2	—	[11] Participated in opening ceremony.
9	Planet	Robert Stephenson and Company		1830	2-2-0	—	[10]
10	Majestic	Robert Stephenson and Company		1830	2-2-0	—	Listed as 2-2-0 in L&M recored, but may have been 0-2-2 similar to Northumbrian[10]
11	Mercury	Robert Stephenson and Company		1830	2-2-0	—	[10] Rebuilt as 2-2-2 in 1833
12	Mars	Robert Stephenson and Company		1830	2-2-0	—	[10]
13	Samson	Robert Stephenson and Company		1831	0-4-0	—	[12]
14	Jupiter	Robert Stephenson and Company		1831	2-2-0	—	[10]
15	Goliah	Robert Stephenson and Company		1831	0-4-0	—	Name also listed as Goliath [12]
16	Saturn	Robert Stephenson and Company		1831	2-2-0	—	[10]
17	Sun	Robert Stephenson and Company		1831	2-2-0	—	[10]
18	Venus	Robert Stephenson and Company		1831	2-2-0	—	[10]
19	Vulcan	Fenton, Murray & Co.		1831	2-2-0	—	[10]
20	Etna	Robert Stephenson and Company		1831	2-2-0	—	[10]
21	Fury	Fenton, Murray & Co.		1831	2-2-0	—	[10]
22	Victory	Robert Stephenson and Company		1831	2-2-0	—	[10]
23	Atlas	Robert Stephenson and Company		1832	0-4-0	—	[12] Rebuilt as 0-4-2, Renewed in 1842 as No. 81
24	Vesta	Robert Stephenson and Company		1832	2-2-0	—	[10]
25	Milo	Robert Stephenson and Company		1832	0-4-0	—	[12]
26	Liver	Edward Bury and Company		1832	2-2-0	—	[10] Between Jan 1832 and Mar 1834 Liver worked a greater mileage than any other locomotive.[13] In trials against Planet in June 1832 Liver was found to be more economical; but there were no further orders.[14]
27	Pluto	Robert Stephenson and Company		1832	2-2-0	127 †	[10] Rebuilt as 2-2-2 in 1841; renumbered 9.
28	Caledonian	Galloway, Bowman & Glasgow		1832	0-4-0	—	[12]
29	Ajax	Robert Stephenson and Company		1832	2-2-0	—	[10]
30	Leeds	Fenton, Murray & Co.		1833	2-2-0	—	[10]
31	Firefly	Robert Stephenson and Company		1833	2-2-0	—	[10]
32	Experiment	Sharp, Roberts and Company		1833	2-2-0	—	[10] Driven by bell cranks.
33	Patentee	Robert Stephenson and Company		1834	2-2-2	—	[10]
34	Titan	Charles Tayleur and Company	8	1834	0-4-0	—	Rebuilt as 0-4-2 [12]
35	Orion	Charles Tayleur and Company	9	1834	0-4-0	—	Rebuilt as 0-4-2 [12]
36	Swiftsure	George Forrester and Company		1834	2-2-0	—	[10] A "Boxer", with outside cylinders; rebuilt as 2-2-2
37	Rapid	Charles Tayleur and Company	17	1835	2-2-2	—	[10]
38	Speedwell	Charles Tayleur and Company	19	1835	2-2-2	—	[15]
39	Hercules	Mather, Dixon and Company		1835	0-4-0	—	Rebuilt as 0-4-2 [12]
40	Eclipse	Charles Tayleur and Company	29	1835	0-4-2	—	Rebuilt as 0-4-2 [12]
41	Star	Charles Tayleur and Company	30	1836	2-2-2	165	[15] Renumbered 53; rebuilt as 0-4-2
42	York	Charles Tayleur and Company	31	1836	0-4-2	—	[12]
43	Vesuvius	Haigh Foundry		1836	2-2-2	—	[15]
44	Thunderer	Mather, Dixon and Company		1836	0-4-2	—	[12]
45	Lightning	Haigh Foundry		1836	2-2-2	114	[15]
46	Cyclops	Haigh Foundry		1836	2-2-2	—	[15] Modified in 1839 by John Gray with expansion gear.[16]
47	Milo	Charles Tayleur and Company	32	1836	2-2-2	—	[15]
48	Dart	Mather, Dixon and Company		1836	2-2-2	—	[15]
49	Phoenix	Charles Tayleur and Company	33	1836	2-2-2	—	[15]
50	Majestic	Charles Tayleur and Company	46	1837	2-2-2	—	[15]
51	Etna	Charles Tayleur and Company	47	1837	2-2-2	—	[15]
52	Arrow	Mather, Dixon and Company		1837	2-2-2	—	[15]
53	Sun	R & W Hawthorn		1837	2-2-2	164	[15]
54	Meteor	Mather, Dixon and Company		1837	2-2-2	115 †	[15]
55	Comet	Mather, Dixon and Company		1837	2-2-2	166	[15]
56	Vesta	R & W Hawthorn		1837	2-2-2	—	[15]
57	Lion	Todd, Kitson & Laird		1838	0-4-2	116	[17] Sold to Mersey Docks in 1859 for use as a stationary pump, worked in that role until 1928. Preserved.
58	Tiger	Todd, Kitson & Laird		1838	0-4-2	117	[17]
59	Rokeby	Rothwell and Company		1838	2-2-2	—	[15] Renumbered 52
60	Roderic	Rothwell and Company		1838	2-2-2	118	[15] Renumbered 20
61	Mammoth	T. Banks & Co.		1839	0-4-2	—	[17] Renumbered 30
62	Leopard	Todd, Kitson & Laird		1839	2-2-2	—	[15]
63	Mastodon	T. Banks & Co.		1839	2-2-2	119	[17] Renumbered 56
64	Panther	Todd, Kitson & Laird		1839	2-2-2	—	[15]
65	Elephant	Todd, Kitson & Laird		1839	0-4-2	113	[17] Renumbered 34
66	Samson	Benjamin Hick and Sons		1839	0-4-2	120	[17] renumbered 35
67	Buffalo	Todd, Kitson & Laird		1839	0-4-2	121 121A 1106	[17] Renumbered 50; rebuilt as 2-2-2T in 1860
68	Goliah	Benjamin Hick and Sons		1839	0-4-2	122	[17] Renumbered 51. Name also listed as Goliath
69	Victoria	Mather, Dixon and Company		1839	2-2-2 or 0-4-2	123	Renumbered 1 in 1841[12]
69	Swallow	L&M Edge Hill Works		September 1841	2-2-2	128	[15]
70	Martin	L&M Edge Hill Works		January 1842	2-2-2	129	[15]
71	Kingfisher	L&M Edge Hill Works		September 1841	2-2-2	131	[15]
72	Heron	L&M Edge Hill Works		November 1841	2-2-2	130	[15]
73	Pelican	L&M Edge Hill Works		December 1841	2-2-2	132	[15]
74	Ostrich	L&M Edge Hill Works		February 1842	2-2-2	133	[15]
75	Owl	L&M Edge Hill Works		March 1842	0-4-2	134	[17]
76	Bat	L&M Edge Hill Works		June 1842	0-4-2	135	[17]
77	Stork	L&M Edge Hill Works		May 1842	2-2-2	136	[15]
78	Crane	L&M Edge Hill Works		October 1842	2-2-2	137	[12]
79	Swan	L&M Edge Hill Works		September 1842	2-2-2	138	[15]
80	Cygnet	L&M Edge Hill Works		December 1842	2-2-2	139	[12]
81	Atlas	L&M Edge Hill Works		November 1842	0-4-2	140	[12]
82	Pheasant	L&M Edge Hill Works		January 1842	2-2-2	141	[15]
83	Partridge	L&M Edge Hill Works		June 1843	2-2-2	126	[12]
84	Bittern	L&M Edge Hill Works		April 1843	0-4-2	142	[17]
85	Lapwing	L&M Edge Hill Works		October 1843	0-4-2	143	[18]
86	Raven	L&M Edge Hill Works		December 1843	0-4-2	144	[18]
87	Crow	L&M Edge Hill Works		January 1844	0-4-2	145	[18]
88	Redwing	L&M Edge Hill Works		April 1844	2-2-2	146	[12]
89	Woodlark	L&M Edge Hill Works		January 1845	2-2-2	147	[12]
90	Penguin	L&M Edge Hill Works		October 1844	0-4-2	148	[18]
91	Petrel	L&M Edge Hill Works		July 1844	0-4-2	149	[18]
92	Linnet	L&M Edge Hill Works		February 1845	2-2-2	150	[12]
93	Goldfinch	L&M Edge Hill Works		February 1845	2-2-2	151	[12]
94	Bullfinch	L&M Edge Hill Works		May 1845	2-2-2	152	[12]
95	Chaffinch	L&M Edge Hill Works		May 1845	2-2-2	153	[12]
96	Starling	L&M Edge Hill Works		July 1845	0-4-2	154	[18]
97	Owzell	L&M Edge Hill Works		November 1845	0-4-2	155	[18]
98	Redstart	L&M Edge Hill Works		December 1845	0-4-2	156	[18]
99	Redbreast	L&M Edge Hill Works		September 1845	0-4-2	157	[18]
100	Condor	L&M Edge Hill Works		March 1846	2-2-2	158	[12]
101	Adjutant	L&M Edge Hill Works		March 1846	0-4-2	159	[18]
102	Flamingo	L&M Edge Hill Works		March 1846	0-4-2	160	[18]
103	Cuckoo	L&M Edge Hill Works		March 1846	0-4-2	161	[18]
104	Albatross	L&M Edge Hill Works		June 1846	0-4-2	162	[18]
106	Osprey	L&M Edge Hill Works		July 1846	0-4-2	163	[18]

† Number allocated but not applied

References

1. de Pambour 1836, p. 333:

   "... about one-third are useless. They are the most ancient, which, having been constructed at the first establishment of the railway, at a time when the company had not yet obtained sufficient experience in that respect, are found now to be out of proportion with the work required of them. The engines actually in daily activity on the road amount to about 10 or 11, and with an equal number in repair or reserve that business might completely be ensured. This is in fact what happens at present, the surplus, above that number being nearly abandoned."

2. Dendy Marshall 1921, pp. 22–23.
3. de Pambour 1836, p. 330.
4. "Early locomotive history". Steam Index. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
5. "Early Locomotives of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway". P T T Dixon. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
6. Baxter 1978, p. 12.
7. "Some historical background to the Liverpool and Manchester Railway". Resco. Retrieved 2008-03-23. Extracted from Frederick S. Williams (1883, 2e), Our Iron Roads.
8. Addyman & Haworth 2005, p. 28.
9. Baxter 1978, p. 12 Baxter states names as: 2 Meteor; 3 Comet; 4 Arrow; 5 Dart.
10. Baxter 1978, p. 13.
11. Baxter 1978, p. 13 Baxter states names as: 7 North Star; 8 Northumbrian.
12. Baxter 1978, p. 15.
13. "Work done by the ten best engines of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, during the years 1831, 1832, 1833 and the first twelve weeks of 1834", from François Marie Guyonneau de Pambour (1836), A practical treatise on locomotive engines upon railways, pp 336–338; quoted in Mechanics Magazine, 25, 292 (1836), and elsewhere.
14. Thomas, R.H.G. (1980). The Liverpool & Manchester Railway. London: Batsford. ISBN 0-7134-0537-6.
15. Baxter 1978, p. 14.
16. Marshall 1978, p. 97.
17. Baxter 1978, p. 16.
18. Baxter 1978, p. 17.

• Addyman, John; Haworth, Victoria (2005). Robert Stephenson: Railway Engineer. England: North Eastern Railway Association and The Robert Stephenson Trust. p. 38. ISBN 978-1-873513-60-6.
• Baxter, Bertram (1978). Baxter, David, ed. British Locomotive Catalogue 1825–1923, Volume 2A: London and North Western Railway and its constituent companies. Ashbourne, Derbyshire: Moorland Publishing Company. pp. 12–17. ISBN 0-903485-51-6.
• Dendy Marshall, C. F. (1921). "The Liverpool and Manchester Railway". Transactions of the Newcomen Society 2 (12–44): 22–23.
• Marshall, John (1978). A Biographical Dictionary of Railway Engineers. Newton Abbot, England: David and Charles. ISBN 0-7153-7489-3.
• de Pambour, François Marie Guyonneau (1836). A practical treatise on locomotive engines upon railways. London: John Weale. OL 23493885M.

Further reading

• Dendy Marshall, C. F (1930). Centenary history of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. London: Locomotive Publishing Company.
• Thomas, R. H. G. (1980). The Liverpool & Manchester Railway. London: Batsford. p. 264. ISBN 0-7134-0537-6.
• Williams, Frederick S. (1852/1888). Our Iron Roads.

External links

• History of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway - mentions many locomotives by name.