Great Western Railway Locomotive 1889
Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at 5:44PM
Timebinder in STEAM LOCOMOTIVES

My research tells me this is 3224, a 2-4-0 coal-fired steam engine, the 18th of 19 Barnum locomotives built at the Great Western Railway's Swindon works in 1889, the last fitted with open sandwich frames in Britain. The GWR was chartered by act of Parliament in 1835 and became the envy of UK railways – sometimes called "God's Wonderful Railway".

The steam engine and first steam railways were British inventions; the first railroads in America used engines and rails from England which is why we inherited the "standard gauge" we use (if you would like to know the short, hilarious tale of where the Brits came up with that gauge, contact me at timebinderpics@gmail.com, I'll email it to you). UK, and indeed european railroad engine designs were always quite different from American counterparts, much sleeker and stylish in overall appearance, especially in the 19th century.

I do not know the location of this photograph; while water was being taken on, the engineers watch the photographer. It is a good size original print but I do not know if it was taken for the company.

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