Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Ellis

My interest in steam locomotives predates all of my current hobbies partly because I am old enough to have seen steam locomotives in every day use.
Their number were in rapid decline from 1963 onwards but Stanier Black 5s were often seen and RA Riddles' Standard 2-6-0s were used on the daily freight run on the Conwy Valley Line well into 1968.
I remember the last steam hauled special here in September 1966 when 2 Stanier 2-6-4 tank locomotives were used to haul an enthusiast's excursion.

I was staying with my aunt in Pwllheli here in North Wales in April 1965 and it was my delight to see a Western Region gleaming Manor Class 4-6-0 departing with the Cambrian Coast Express.

Nostalgia apart, who was the greatest locomotive designer of the C20th?

GJ Churchward, HN Gresley, WA Stanier, REL Maunsell, CB Collett, RA Riddles, OV Bulleid and AH Peppercorn are some of the most notable contenders and I have read about all of them, at length.

I always thought George Jackson Churchward deserved the honour until I read of a veiled accusation that he was not really an innovator but one who examined the best of other engineers and used his own interpretation of others' ideas in his designs.

Sir WA Stanier was ex GWR, OV Bulleid was ex LNER and Sir Nigel Gresley was "born into the purple" with his ability and gentlemanly but autocratic ways.
It was an ex GWR man, KJ Cook who finally solved the Gresley Pacifics tendency to run their inner main driven bearings too hot in the late 1940s after nationalisation.

I could go on and on but who do you consider was the greatest?
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1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
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mikeC · Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2017 10:25 am Post subject:

I was a Midland man, so it would be Stanier for me - the Black Fives and Jubilees were my favourites - although I suspect most people will go for Gresley. Who designed the Midland 2P and 4p 4-4-0s? They were another of my favourites.

But I always had a soft spot for the Stirling singles (not that I ever saw one) ...
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in the garage: 1938 Talbot Ten Airline
Recently departed: 1953 Lancia Appia, 1931 Austin Seven, 1967 Singer Chamois, 1914 Saxon, 1930 Morris Cowley, 1936 BSA Scout, 1958 Lancia Appia coupe, 1922 Star 11.9 ... the list goes on!

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7118 Location: Edinburgh

It's many years since I read about locomotive designers but I can recall also being most impressed by Churchward but I was well aware that he got much of his inspiration from across the pond and wouldn't knock him for that.

That said I do love the sheer sexiness of Gresley's designs (also influenced from America) and the excitement of the record breaking.

I also love the Stirling singles just for their looks.

Peter
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1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

alastairq · Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 1954 Location: East Yorkshire

Peter Drummond [brother to Dugald].

David Jones.

mikeC · Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2017 11:09 am Post subject:

Peter_L · Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2017 2:13 pm Post subject:

My father would talk of seeing this Garrett on the Silkstone line.

http://www.lner.info/locos/U/u1.php

Ellis · Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2017 6:27 pm Post subject:

mikeC · Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2017 8:56 pm Post subject:

That's the one - lovely machines! I used to love seeing them double-heading a Jubilee on express trains through Chesterfield.
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in the garage: 1938 Talbot Ten Airline
Recently departed: 1953 Lancia Appia, 1931 Austin Seven, 1967 Singer Chamois, 1914 Saxon, 1930 Morris Cowley, 1936 BSA Scout, 1958 Lancia Appia coupe, 1922 Star 11.9 ... the list goes on!