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: ​  • Whyte 2-4-0 Gauge 7 feet 0+1⁄4 inch (2.140 m) Leading dia. 4 feet 0 inches (1.22 m) Driver dia. 6 feet 7+1⁄2 inches (2.019 m) Wheelbase 15 feet 8 inches (4.78 m) Cylinder size 17 by 24 inches (430 mm × 610 mm) 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 The last of the locomotives were withdrawn at the end of the broad gauge on 20 May 1892.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: ​  • Whyte 2-4-0 Gauge 7 feet 0+1⁄4 inch (2.140 m) Leading dia. 4 feet 0 inches (1.22 m) Driver dia. 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) Wheelbase 15 feet 8 inches (4.78 m)

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 These were designed to be converted to standard gauge but this was never carried out, the locomotives all being withdrawn by 1886.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

Standard gauge

B&ER 2-4-0
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer James Pearson Builder Bristol and Exeter Railway
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-4-0 Gauge 4 feet 8+1⁄2 inches (1.435 m) Leading dia. 4 feet 0 inches (1.22 m) Driver dia. 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) Wheelbase 15 feet 4 inches (4.67 m)

Three locomotives were built in 1874 at the same time as the convertibles, and similar in several ways. These were always standard gauge.

• 3 (1874 – 1883) GWR No. 1355
• 1 (1875 – 1881) GWR No. 1356
• 16 (1875 – 1884) GWR No. 1357

References

• Reed, P.J.T. (February 1953). White, D.E. (ed.). The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, Part 2: Broad Gauge. Kenilworth: The Railway Correspondence and Travel Society. ISBN 0-901115-32-0. OCLC 650490992.
• Reed, P.J.T. (December 1956). White, D.E. (ed.). The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part three: Absorbed Engines, 1854-1921. Kenilworth: RCTS. ISBN 0-901115-33-9.
• Waters, Laurence (1999). The Great Western Broad Gauge. Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 0-7110-2634-3.