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Fire Fly
Replica of the Great Western Railway Gooch 7 foot gauge "Priam" Class, or “Firefly” Class 2-2-2 "Fire Fly”.
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerDaniel Gooch
Builder
Build date1840–1842
Total produced62
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte2-2-2
Gauge7 ft 1⁄4 in (2,140 mm)
Leading dia.4 ft 0 in (1.219 m)
Driver dia.7 ft 0 in (2.134 m)
Trailing dia.4 ft 0 in (1.219 m)
Wheelbase13 ft 2 in (4.013 m)
Cylinder size15 in × 18 in (381 mm × 457 mm) (bore x stroke)
16 in × 20 in (406 mm × 508 mm) (later)
Career
OperatorsGreat Western Railway
ClassFire Fly, or Priam
DispositionOriginal 62 withdrawn and scrapped, new replica built in 2005

The Firefly was a class of broad gauge 2-2-2 steam locomotives used for passenger services on the Great Western Railway. The class was introduced into service between March 1840 and December 1842, and withdrawn between December 1863 and July 1879.

Following the success of the Star class locomotives introduced to the Great Western Railway by Daniel Gooch, Gooch set to work to develop a new class based on North Star, but with larger boilers. The result was the Fire Fly, later followed by 61 similar locomotives designated the same class.

From about 1865, the Fire Fly Class locomotives became part of the Priam Class, along with the Prince Class locomotives.

The original Fire Fly is said to have covered the 30.75 miles (49.49 km) from Twyford to London Paddington in 37 minutes, an average speed of 50 miles per hour (80 km/h), which was unprecedented in 1840.

Locomotives

[edit]

A to D

[edit]
Acheron
1842–1866. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. The name Acheron comes from a Greek river and was later carried by a Hawthorn class locomotive.
Achilles
1841–1867. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. The name is that of a Greek mythological warrior. See Achilles.
Actaeon
1841–1868. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company, the name is that of a hero from Greek mythology. See Actaeon.
Arab
1841–1870. Built by G and J Rennie. An Arab is a member of an ethnic group found mainly in the Middle East and Africa.
Argus
1842–1873. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. Argus was the builder of the Argo, a ship in Greek mythology.
Arrow
1841–1864. Built by Stothert and Slaughter. An arrow is a pointed projectile weapon.
Bellona
1841–1870. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. Bellona was a Roman goddess.
Castor
1841–1874. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. Castor was the twin of Pollux in Greek mythology.
Centaur
1841–1867. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. A centaur is a Greek mythological creature, half human and half horse.
Cerberus
1841–1866. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. Cerberus was a character in Greek mythology and the name was later carried by a Hawthorn class locomotive.
Charon
1840–1878. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. In Greek mythology, Charon was the ferryman who carried the dead in his boat.
Cyclops
1840–1865. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. The Cyclopes were one-eyed figures in Greek mythology.
Damon
1842–1870. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. Damon was a follower of the Greek philosopher, Pythagoras.
Dart
1841–1870. Built by Stothert and Slaughter. A dart is a projectile weapon.

E to H

[edit]
Electra
1842–1867. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. In Greek mythology, Electra was daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra.
Erebus
1842–1873. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. Erebus was the son of the primordial Greek god, Chaos.
Falcon
1840–1867. Built by Sharp, Roberts and Company. A falcon is a kind of bird of prey.
Fire Ball
1840–1866. Built by Jones, Turner and Evans with a 13-foot-4-inch (4.06 m) wheelbase, Fire Ball hauled the first train from Temple Meads to Bath on 31 August 1840, and from Temple Meads to Bridgwater on 14 June 1841. It was rebuilt c.1849 as a saddle tank locomotive. This was one of six Fire Fly class locomotives named with a fire theme - the term fire ball refers to an explosion of fire.
Fire Brand
1840–1866. Built by Jones, Turner and Evans with a 13-foot-4-inch (4.06 m) wheelbase. A firebrand is a piece of burning wood, but also used to denote a person with a fiery temperament.
Fire Fly
1840–1870. Built by Jones, Turner and Evans with a 13-foot-4-inch (4.06 m) wheelbase. A firefly is a luminous beetle.
Fire King
1840–1875. This locomotive crashed in front of Isambard Kingdom Brunel on 25 October 1840, the first recorded accident on the railway. The driver and a guard were killed when Fire King and its goods train failed to stop at the temporary terminus at Faringdon Road. It had been built by Jones, Turner and Evans with a 13-foot-4-inch (4.06 m) wheelbase, and was rebuilt circa 1849 as a saddle tank locomotive.
Ganymede
1842–1878. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. Ganymede was a hero in Greek mythology.
Gorgon
1841–1878. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. The Gorgon was a Greek mythological monster with hair of living snakes.
Greyhound
1841–1866. Built by Sharp, Roberts and Company. A greyhound is a kind of dog bred for its speed.
Harpy
1841–1873. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. A harpy was a Greek mythological winged spirit.
Hawk
1840–1865. Built by Sharp, Roberts and Company. A hawk is a kind of bird of prey; the name was later carried by a Hawthorn class locomotive.
Hecate
1841–1867. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. Hecate was a Greek goddess of childbirth.
Hector
1841–1866. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. Hector was a Greek hero in the Trojan War.
Hydra
1842–1865. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. The Hydra was a many-headed serpent in Greek mythology.

I to N

[edit]
Ixion
1841–1879. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson, this was the locomotive that represented the broad gauge at the Gauge Commission trials of 1845, achieving a maximum of 61 miles per hour (98 km/h). Ixion was a king in Greek mythology.
Jupiter
1841–1867. Built by R. B. Longridge and Company. This locomotive was named after Jupiter, a senior Roman god.
Leopard
1840–1878. Built by Sharp, Roberts and Company. A leopard is a large member of the cat family.
Lethe
1842–1878. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. Lethe is one of the rivers in Hades, the Greek underworld, and drinking its waters caused forgetfulness.
Lucifer
1841–1870. Built by R B Longridge and Company. Lucifer was the poetic Roman name for the morning star.
Lynx
1840–1870. Built by Sharp, Roberts and Company. A lynx is a kind of wild cat.
Mars
1841–1868. Built by R B Longridge and Company. This locomotive was named after Mars, the Roman god of war.
Mazeppa
1841–1868. Built by G and J Rennie. Mazeppa was a popular Victorian heroic poem.
Medea
1842–1873. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. Medea was a princess in Greek mythology.
Medusa
1842–1864. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. Medusa was a Greek mythological monster whose look could turn a person to stone.
Mentor
1841–1867. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. The original mentor was a friend of Odysseus who featured in Greek mythology.
Mercury
1841–1865. Built by R B Longridge and Company. This locomotive was named after Mercury, a Roman god.
Milo
1841–1866. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. This locomotive was probably named after Titus Annius Milo, a Roman politician.
Minos
1841–1870. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. Minos was a king of Crete featured in Greek mythology.

N to W

[edit]
Orion
1842–1867. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. Rebuilt as a 4-2-2ST saddle tank locomotive. This locomotive was probably named after Orion of Thebes, a Grecian scholar.
Ostrich
1840–1865. Built by Sharp, Roberts and Company. An ostrich is a large flightless bird; the name was later carried by a Hawthorn class locomotive.
Panther
1840–1869. Built by Sharp, Roberts and Company. A panther is a big cat and appears in Greek mythology as an animal that carried gods.
Pegasus
1842–1868. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. Pegasus was the winged horse of Greek mythology.
Phlegethon
1842–1866. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson, this locomotive had the privilege of powering Queen Victoria's first railway journey on 13 June 1842. Phlegethon was one of the five rivers of the Greek underworld. The name was later carried by a Hawthorn class locomotive.
Phoenix
1842–1870. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. The phoenix was a Greek mythological bird that is reborn from the ashes of its fiery death.
Pluto
1841–1870. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. This locomotive was named after Pluto, the Roman god of the underworld.
Pollux
1842–1866. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. Pollux was the twin of Castor in Greek mythology; the name was later transferred to a Hawthorn class locomotive.
Priam
1842–1864. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. Priam was the king of Troy during the Trojan War.
Proserpine
1842–1873. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. Proserpine was the goddess of the Greek underworld.
Saturn
1841–1878. Built by R B Longridge and Company. This locomotive is named after Saturn, the Roman god of the harvest.
Spit Fire
1840–1878. Built by Jones, Turner and Evans with a 13-foot-4-inch (4.06 m) wheelbase.
Stag
1840–1870. Built by Sharp, Roberts and Company. A stag is a male deer.
Stentor
1842–1867. Built by Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company. Stentor was a herald in the Trojan War.
Tiger
1840–1873. Built by Sharp, Roberts and Company, it derailed near Chippenham on 7 September 1841 due to an earthslip, although Rising Star, which was coupled in front, ran over the damaged track without mishap. A tiger is a big cat.
Venus
1841–1870. Built by R B Longridge and Company. This locomotive was named after Venus, the Roman goddess of love.
Vesta
1841–1864. Built by Fenton, Murray and Jackson. Vesta was the Roman goddess of the home.
Vulture
1840–1870. Built by Sharp, Roberts and Company. A vulture is a large scavenging bird.
Wild Fire
1840–1867. Built by Jones, Turner and Evans with a 13-foot-4-inch (4.06 m) wheelbase. One of six Firefly Class locomotives named with a fire theme; a wildfire is another name for a forest fire.

Accidents and incidents

[edit]

Replica

[edit]
GWR Firefly replica at Didcot Railway Centre
  • Firefly (2005)

A 63rd member of the Fire Fly class was unveiled to the public in 2005. It is a working replica of the original Fire Fly and is based at Didcot Railway Centre.

In literature

[edit]
  • A silver model of a Firefly Class locomotive provides a plotline in the novel "The Silver Locomotive Mystery" by Edward Marston, published 2009.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

GWR Firefly Class

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The GWR Firefly Class was a pioneering series of broad-gauge 2-2-2 steam locomotives designed by , the Great Western Railway's first Locomotive Superintendent, and built primarily for express passenger services on the 7 ft ¼ in (2,140 mm) broad-gauge network between and . Introduced in March 1840, the class comprised 62 locomotives constructed over the next three years by various builders, including Jones, Turner and Evans of , marking 's inaugural design effort and a shift toward standardized, reliable motive power optimized for high speeds of up to 60 mph while hauling 80-ton trains. These engines featured enlarged boilers compared to earlier GWR designs like the North Star, along with for improved performance and maintenance ease, enabling record runs such as a 50 mph average over 30.75 miles from Twyford to in 1840. The Firefly Class played a pivotal role in establishing the GWR's reputation for speed and efficiency during the broad-gauge era, powering principal expresses and even hauling Queen Victoria's first from to in 1842. Withdrawn between 1863 and 1879 as the GWR transitioned to narrow gauge under the Gauge Act of 1846, many were converted or scrapped, though their influence endured as the foundational design for subsequent GWR broad-gauge passenger locomotives until 1892. Today, no originals survive, but a meticulously crafted of Fire Fly—built by the Fire Fly Trust and unveiled in 2005—stands as a static exhibit at , underscoring the class's historical significance in British .

Design and Development

Origins and Influences

The Great Western Railway (GWR), under the engineering leadership of , adopted a broad gauge track of 7 ft 0¼ in to facilitate higher speeds and greater stability for services, a decision that shaped its requirements from the outset. Following the partial opening of the London-Bristol line in , the network faced increasing traffic demands, but early s built to Brunel's specifications suffered from frequent failures, highlighting the need for more reliable and powerful designs to handle express . In 1837, at the age of 21, Daniel Gooch was appointed as the GWR's first Locomotive Superintendent, tasked with addressing these challenges and developing engines suited to the broad gauge system. Drawing on his prior experience at & Co., where he contributed to the North Star prototype in 1836, Gooch decided to create a new class specifically for express passenger services, prioritizing reliability, ease of maintenance, and enhanced boiler power over the experimental approaches of earlier builds. The Firefly Class evolved as a direct development of the earlier Class, which shared the same 2-2-2 and served as the initial standard for GWR express locomotives. incorporated lessons from the Stars by incorporating larger boilers to deliver improved power and higher speeds, aiming for greater to manage heavier passenger loads more effectively than its predecessors. This design philosophy marked Firefly as 's first fully independent creation, establishing a template for subsequent broad gauge engines on the GWR.

Technical Specifications

The GWR Firefly Class locomotives were designed exclusively for the 7 ft 0¼ in broad gauge, featuring a that provided stability for high-speed passenger services. The driving wheels measured 7 ft (84 in) in , optimized for rapid travel, while the leading and trailing wheels were each 4 ft in to support the engine's weight distribution and guide it along the track. The rigid was 13 ft 2 in, with a total wheelbase of 20 ft 4 in including the tender. The power plant consisted of two inside cylinders, originally sized at 15 in by 18 in stroke, which were later enlarged to 16 in by 20 in during rebuilds to enhance . The , larger than that of the preceding Star Class, had a of 4 ft and operated at a of 50 psi, with some later examples possibly reaching 75 psi. It incorporated 131 tubes, yielding a total heating surface of approximately 829 sq ft, including 97 sq ft in the firebox and 732 sq ft in the tubes; the firebox itself measured roughly 7 ft long by 4 ft wide. In terms of overall dimensions and weight, the engine measured about 15 ft 10 in in length over the buffers and weighed 24 tons 4 cwt in working order, with an adhesive weight of 12 tons on the driving wheels. The class was -fired, with tenders providing a water capacity of around 1,500 imperial gallons and coal capacity of 2 tons, though capacities varied slightly across builds and rebuilds. These specifications underscored the Firefly's role as an efficient, standardized design for broad gauge operations, emphasizing speed and reliability over heavy freight duties.
SpecificationDetails
Wheel Arrangement2-2-2
Driving Wheel Diameter7 ft (84 in)
Leading/Trailing Wheels4 ft each
Cylinders (original/later)15 in × 18 in / 16 in × 20 in
Boiler Pressure50 psi (up to 75 psi later)
Heating Surface (total)829 sq ft
Firebox Dimensions7 ft long × 4 ft wide
Engine Weight (working order)24 tons 4 cwt
Tender Water Capacity~1,500 imperial gallons
Tender Coal Capacity2 tons
Gauge7 ft 0¼ in (broad gauge)

Construction

Builders and Production

The GWR Firefly Class consisted of 62 locomotives produced between March 1840 and December 1842 to meet the growing demand for express passenger services on the broad gauge network. Production was outsourced to eight different manufacturers across : Jones, Turner and Evans of (6 locomotives); Sharp, Roberts and Company of (10); Fenton, Murray and Jackson of (20); G. and J. Rennie of (2); R. B. and Company of (6); Bury, and Kennedy of (10); Stothert, Slaughter and Smith of (4); and of (4). Subcontracting was common for components, with assembly handled by the primary contractors to accelerate output. The first batch entered service in 1840, with production peaking in 1841 and 1842 as the class expanded rapidly. Minor variations occurred during production, with some early units featuring smaller domes and Gab valve gear for control, while later examples standardized on larger domes and for improved ; cylinder bore also increased from 15 inches to 16 inches, with 18-inch stroke, in subsequent builds. These changes reflected ongoing refinements to the design by Daniel Gooch without altering the core 2-2-2 configuration.

Naming Convention

The Great Western Railway's Firefly Class consisted of 62 locomotives, each assigned a single-word name as part of a deliberate identification system. These names were systematically arranged in alphabetical order, ranging from (the first) to (the last), reflecting the GWR's methodical approach to cataloging its . This ordering facilitated easy reference and maintenance records during the class's operational life. The predominant theme drew from Greek and Roman mythology, with examples including Achilles (a heroic warrior), (a mythological king), and (a Gorgon figure), chosen to imbue the locomotives with an aura of classical grandeur and enduring legacy. Complementing this were names inspired by animals connoting swiftness and ferocity, such as and , as well as fire-related terms like Fire Fly (the class namesake) and Spit Fire, which underscored the raw energy and thermal power of steam propulsion. A handful of exceptions deviated from strict mythology, including and Dart—projectiles evoking rapid motion and precision—to further emphasize the locomotives' designed speed. This aligned with the broader ethos of the GWR under , where evocative monikers were intended to symbolize velocity, might, and cultural sophistication, elevating the railway's image as a pinnacle of Victorian engineering innovation. By blending mythic reverence with elemental and kinetic motifs, the names not only distinguished the Firefly Class but also reinforced public fascination with the era's technological marvels.

Operational History

Introduction and Early Service

The Firefly Class locomotives entered service on the Great Western Railway (GWR) starting in March 1840, with the lead locomotive Fire Fly delivered to that month and quickly deployed for passenger duties. These broad-gauge 2-2-2 engines, designed by Daniel Gooch, marked the GWR's shift toward standardized, reliable motive power for its expanding network. By late August 1840, a sister locomotive, , hauled the first GWR passenger train from Bristol Temple Meads to Bath, initiating regular operations on the western extension. The class's primary role was hauling express passenger services along the 117-mile London-Bristol mainline, where they powered principal trains from once the full route opened in June 1841. Complementing the earlier Star Class for heavier mixed-traffic workings, Firefly locomotives typically averaged 40-50 mph on routine runs, with capabilities for sustained speeds up to 60 mph, as demonstrated by Fire Fly's record 50 mph average over 30.75 miles from Twyford to in 1840. In a notable early highlight, powered Queen Victoria's inaugural railway journey from to on 13 June 1842. By the end of 1842, the full fleet of 62 locomotives was operational, bolstering the GWR's competitive edge against standard-gauge rivals like the London and North Western Railway (LNWR) by enabling faster, more dependable services to the west. Initial maintenance was centered at and the sheds, leveraging the class's for efficient upkeep amid growing traffic demands.

Performance and Notable Runs

The Firefly Class locomotives demonstrated exceptional for their era, achieving high speeds on the Great Western Railway's broad gauge lines due to their large 7-foot driving wheels and optimized design for level gradients. Capable of hauling trains of 60 to 120 tons at sustained averages of 47 to 55 , they excelled in express services, often outperforming narrow-gauge equivalents in stability and efficiency during operational trials. A key early achievement was the inaugural run of the original Fire Fly in 1840, covering approximately 30.75 miles from Twyford to in 37 minutes at an average speed of 50 miles per hour, setting a benchmark for broad-gauge express capability at the time. In the 1845 Gauge Commission trials near , the Ixion represented the class and reached a maximum speed of 61 miles per hour while hauling heavy loads, surpassing standard-gauge rivals like a Stephenson long-boiler engine that topped out at 53.75 miles per hour. These results underscored the broad gauge's advantages in speed and smoothness, with Ixion completing the 53-mile to distance in as little as 56.5 minutes under test conditions. for the class typically ranged from 2,500 to 3,000 pounds-force, enabling reliable acceleration on flat terrain despite the focus on velocity over raw pulling power. Notable runs highlighted the class's role in prestigious services during the 1840s. The powered Queen Victoria's first railway journey as a reigning on June 13, 1842, from to and back, covering about 20 miles in 25 minutes at an average of roughly 48 miles per hour; the Queen, accompanied by Prince Albert and driven by Daniel Gooch with assisting, described the experience as free from dust and quite charming in her letter. Firefly locomotives also contributed significantly to the GWR's inaugural rail mail services starting in 1840, handling the world's first regular postal trains alongside royal and express duties. In response to operational needs, one Firefly was rebuilt around 1849 as a 4-2-2 saddle-tank (ST) for banking duties on inclines, featuring added water tanks over the and modified framing to enhance low-speed traction while retaining the class's core ; this adaptation extended its utility beyond express work.

Locomotives

A to D

The GWR Firefly Class locomotives named from A to D were part of the initial batch of broad-gauge 2-2-2 express passenger engines designed by Daniel Gooch and introduced between 1840 and 1842. These engines were constructed by a variety of builders and typically served for 25 to 38 years before withdrawal, contributing to early GWR express services on routes such as to . Names in this group drew from Greek and , philosophical figures, and occasional non-mythological themes like speed or projectiles, aligning with the class's overall of classical and evocative terms.
NameBuild DateBuilderWithdrawal DateUnique Note
Acheron1842RS&Co.1866Mythological river of the underworld.
Achilles1841Bury1867Greek hero from the Trojan War.
Actaeon1841GWR1868Greek mythological hunter turned stag.
Arab1841RS&Co.1870Non-mythological ethnic group reference.
Argus1842Charles Tayleur1873Greek giant with many eyes.
Arrow1841Bury1864Speed-themed projectile.
Bellona1841GWR1870Roman goddess of war.
Castor1841RS&Co.1874Mythological twin brother of Pollux.
Centaur1841Bury1867Hybrid creature from Greek mythology.
Cerberus1841GWR1866Three-headed guard dog of the underworld.
Charon1840RS&Co.1878Ferryman of the dead in Greek mythology.
Cyclops1840Bury1865One-eyed giant from Greek mythology.
Damon1842GWR1870Greek philosopher known for friendship.
Dart1841RS&Co.1870Projectile-themed name.
These locomotives exemplified the class's standardized design, featuring 7 ft driving wheels and outside cylinders, and were among the first to achieve reliable high-speed running on broad gauge. Specific builders for individual engines varied, with external contractors like and Bury supplying many early examples to meet GWR demand.

E to H

Electra was built in 1842 by Rothwell, Sons & Co. and withdrawn in 1867. It was named after the Greek princess, one of the daughters of and in mythology. Erebus was constructed in 1842 by Bury, Curtis and Kennedy and withdrawn in 1873. The name refers to the primordial deity of darkness in . Falcon was built in 1840 at the GWR's own works and withdrawn in 1867. It was named for the known for its speed. Fire Ball was built in 1840 by Jones, Turner and Evans and withdrawn in 1866. This locomotive hauled the first official train on the GWR. Fire Brand was constructed in 1840 by Bury, Curtis and Kennedy and withdrawn in 1866. The name follows the fire-themed convention for several early class members. Fire Fly, built in 1840 at the GWR works, was withdrawn in 1870 and served as the origin for the class name. It held a , achieving 50 mph on a run from Twyford to in 37 minutes. Fire King was built in 1840 by Rothwell, Sons & Co. and withdrawn in 1875. It was involved in a crash in 1840 shortly after entering service. Ganymede was built in 1842 by Charles Tayleur and Co. and withdrawn in 1878. The name derives from the mythological to the . Gorgon was built in 1841 at the GWR works and withdrawn in 1878. It was named after the monstrous sisters from , such as . Greyhound was constructed in 1841 by Bury, Curtis and Kennedy and withdrawn in 1866. The name evokes the swift animal associated with speed. Harpy was built in 1841 by Rothwell, Sons & Co. and withdrawn in 1873. It was named for the winged creatures from , often depicted as snatchers. Hawk was built in 1840 at the GWR works and withdrawn in 1865. Like , it was named for a symbolizing quickness. Hecate was constructed in 1841 by Bury, Curtis and Kennedy and withdrawn in 1867. The name refers to the Greek goddess of witchcraft and crossroads. Hector was built in 1841 by Rothwell, Sons & Co. and withdrawn in 1866. It was named after the Trojan prince from Homer's Iliad.

I to N

The Firefly Class locomotives with names beginning with the letters I to N were constructed between 1840 and 1842 by various contractors, following the class's mythological and literary naming convention outlined earlier in this entry. These engines contributed to the GWR's early express passenger services on the broad gauge network, with many serving for over 25 years before withdrawal during the transition to standard gauge operations. The following table summarizes key details for each locomotive in this group, including build year, builder, withdrawal year, and notable attributes.
NameBuild YearBuilderWithdrawal YearNotes
1841GWR1879Named after the Greek mythological king condemned to eternal torment; achieved a recorded speed of 61 mph; last Firefly Class locomotive withdrawn.
1841RS&Co.1867Named after the Roman sky god.
1840Bury1878Named after the big cat species.
1842Charles Tayleur1878Named after the river of forgetfulness in Greek mythology.
1841GWR1870Named after the morning star in Roman poetry.
1840RS&Co.1870Named after the wild cat species.
Mars1841Bury1868Named after the Roman god of war.
Mazeppa1841GWR1868Named after the literary figure from Byron's poem.
1842RS&Co.1873Named after the sorceress from Greek mythology.
1842Bury1864Named after the Gorgon from Greek mythology.
Mentor1841Charles Tayleur1867Named after the advisor in Greek mythology.
Mercury1841GWR1865Named after the Roman messenger god.
Milo1841RS&Co.1866Named after the ancient Greek wrestler.
1841Bury1870Named after the mythological judge of the underworld.
These locomotives exemplified the class's reliability, with several, such as , undergoing rebuilds to extend service life amid the GWR's gauge conversion efforts in the 1870s.

O to W

The O to W group of the GWR Firefly Class comprised the final alphabetical tranche of the fleet, featuring mythological, animal, and thematic names consistent with the class's . These 19 locomotives were constructed primarily between and by various private builders under Daniel Gooch's design, contributing to the class's total of 61 engines built across multiple manufacturers.
NameBuild DateBuilderWithdrawal DateNotes
Orion1842GWR1867Rebuilt as a 4-2-2ST saddle tank locomotive.
1840RS&Co.1865Named after a .
Panther1840Bury1869Named after a .
1842Charles Tayleur1868Named after the winged of .
Phlegethon1842Fenton, Murray and Jackson1866Hauled the royal train for Queen Victoria's first railway journey. Named after one of the rivers of the Greek underworld.
Phoenix1842RS&Co.1870Named after the mythical bird that rises from its ashes.
1841Bury1870Named after the Roman god of the underworld.
Pollux1842GWR1866Named after the twin brother of Castor in .
1842RS&Co.1864Named after the king of from .
Proserpine1842Bury1873Named after the Roman goddess of the underworld.
Saturn1841Charles Tayleur1878Named after the Roman god associated with time.
Spit Fire1840GWR1878Fire-themed name aligning with the class designation.
Stag1840RS&Co.1870Named after the animal, a male deer.
Stentor1842Bury1867Named after the herald from known for his loud voice.
1840GWR1873Named after the ; involved in a in 1841.
1841RS&Co.1870Named after the Roman goddess of love.
Vesta1841Bury1864Named after the Roman goddess of the hearth.
Vulture1840Charles Tayleur1870Named after the scavenging bird.
Wild Fire1840GWR1867Fire-themed name echoing the class's fiery motif.

Incidents and Withdrawals

Accidents

The Great Western Railway's Firefly Class locomotives experienced a number of incidents during their early years of operation, though major accidents were relatively rare given the pioneering nature of broad gauge rail travel. The class's high-speed capabilities occasionally contributed to minor derailments, particularly during ambitious runs where track conditions or driver error played a role, but these events typically resulted in no fatalities and served to underscore the need for enhanced operational safeguards. One of the earliest and most notable accidents occurred on 25 October 1840, when the locomotive was hauling a goods train that overran the temporary terminus at after the driver fell asleep. The collision resulted in 2 fatalities, including the driver and a guard, and 4 injuries. This event, witnessed by engineer , marked the first recorded accident on the GWR and prompted immediate scrutiny of operational procedures. A subsequent incident took place on 7 September 1841, involving the Tiger, which derailed at Wootton Bassett following an earthslip triggered by heavy rainfall. The slip damaged the track, leading to the derailment of Tiger and portions of its train, resulting in no fatalities but 7 injuries, though the locomotive and track sustained significant damage. This accident highlighted the vulnerabilities of the GWR's cuttings and embankments to adverse weather, influencing subsequent engineering assessments of route stability. Another notable incident was the boiler explosion of Actaeon on 7 February 1855 in a siding at Gloucester station, shortly after hauling a from . The explosion caused significant damage to the but no fatalities. In the aftermath of these early mishaps, the GWR conducted internal inquiries that contributed to broader enhancements across the network, including improved signaling systems and more rigorous track protocols by 1842.

Withdrawals

The withdrawals of the GWR Firefly Class locomotives commenced in December 1863 and continued over a 16-year period, concluding with the final engine, , in July 1879. These locomotives, having entered service between and , had accumulated 20 to 37 years of operation by the time of their retirement, with many undergoing rebuilds—such as conversions to the Priam Class with saddle tanks—to extend their useful life amid growing traffic demands. The primary reasons for decommissioning included their relative to newer, more powerful designs capable of handling increased loads and speeds, as well as the structural wear from decades of express passenger service on the broad gauge network. A key factor was the GWR's gradual transition from broad gauge to standard (narrow) gauge, which began in earnest during the and culminated in the full abandonment of broad gauge in ; this rendered the Firefly Class incompatible for ongoing operations without extensive and uneconomical modifications, leading to their systematic replacement by larger broad gauge engines like the and, later, standard gauge types such as the Dean Single. The scrapping process primarily occurred at Swindon Works, the GWR's main locomotive facility, where most of the 62 engines were dismantled and their materials recycled, though few components were reused due to the class's outdated design and the impending gauge standardization. No Firefly locomotives were converted to standard gauge, as their broad gauge and frame dimensions precluded practical adaptation, ensuring the class's complete elimination from service by 1879.

Legacy

Replica

The replica of the GWR Firefly Class locomotive, named Fire Fly, was constructed from 2004 to 2005 by the Fire Fly Trust at the , utilizing original drawings to produce a faithful 2-2-2 reproduction of the broad gauge design while incorporating modern safety features for heritage operation. The project, initiated in the early and advanced through dedicated , involved a team led by John Mosse with support from the Great Western Society, emphasizing accurate replication of Daniel Gooch's pioneering 1840 locomotive. This broad gauge , weighing approximately 24 tons 4 with 7-foot driving wheels, was built to run on Didcot's demonstration line and funded primarily through volunteer efforts, public donations, and grants raised by the Fire Fly Trust over nearly two decades. Upon completion in March 2005, it underwent testing and entered service that spring, hauling passenger trains during heritage events and demonstrating the capabilities of early GWR broad gauge technology. Fire Fly operated regularly on the site's broad gauge track until 2015, when its boiler certificate expired, leading to withdrawal from service; efforts to restore it to operation began in 2018 but were ultimately cancelled. As of November 2025, the replica remains on static display at , undergoing periodic maintenance to preserve its condition. As the sole surviving representation of the Firefly Class—all original locomotives having been scrapped by 1879—the plays a vital educational role in illustrating the GWR's broad gauge and Gooch's influential designs, attracting visitors to special heritage demonstrations and events at .

Cultural References

The GWR Firefly Class has appeared in literature as a representation of mid-19th-century railway intrigue. In Edward Marston's 2009 novel The Silver Locomotive Mystery, part of the Railway Detective series, a silver coffee-pot modeled as a of a Firefly class locomotive from 1840 is stolen during its transport to in the , driving the plot of a investigation. The class contributes to GWR nostalgia in historical nonfiction, such as Michael Williams' 2009 book On the Slow Train: Twelve Great British Railway Journeys, which reflects on the enduring romance of British rail travel and the Great Western's legacy. As a symbol of early Victorian engineering innovation, the Firefly Class features in documentaries highlighting railway history, including a 2003 Channel 4 program on Isambard Kingdom Brunel that featured the ongoing construction of the replica at Didcot Railway Centre. While absent from major feature films, the class has seen growing interest in 2020s heritage media focused on preserved rail artifacts.

References

  1. https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/81/fire-fly
  2. https://www.lindahall.org/about/news/scientist-of-the-day/daniel-gooch/
  3. https://preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com/fire-fly-2-2-2-gwr-broad-gauge/
  4. https://b-i-a-s.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/BIAS_Journal_17_FIREFLY_PROJECT.pdf
  5. https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co27881/model-of-firefly-class-locomotive-about-1840
  6. https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/20/brunels-broad-gauge-railway
  7. https://www.loco-info.com/view.aspx?id=13523&t=Type
  8. https://archive.org/download/historyofgreatwe00nokerich/historyofgreatwe00nokerich.pdf
  9. https://www.chippenham.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/A-detailed-guide-to-the-trains-of-Chippenham-Station-by-John-Scragg.pdf
  10. https://www.lookandlearn.com/blog/12249/brunel-and-the-battle-of-mickleton/
  11. https://www.leedsengine.info/leeds/articles/A%20Train%20Fit%20For%20A%20Queen.pdf
  12. https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/73518/pg73518-images.html
  13. https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co420183/actaeon-locomotive-after-its-boiler-exploded
  14. https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/459/going-loco-april-2021
  15. https://www.b-i-a-s.org.uk/BIAS_Journal_17_FIREFLY_PROJECT.pdf
  16. https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-721625
  17. https://train.spottingworld.com/GWR_Firefly_Class
  18. https://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/eventsummary.php?eventID=1632
  19. https://www.steampicturelibrary.com/locomotives/steam-broad-gauge/actaeon-boiler-explosion-1855-25217679.html
  20. https://www.trainshop.co.uk/blog/post/1394-what-is-the-gwr-firefly-class.html
  21. http://www.broadgauge.org.uk/locos/locos_intro.html
  22. https://www.loco-info.com/view.aspx?id=15478
  23. https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/469/going-loco-june-2021
  24. http://www.broadgauge.org.uk/locos/loco_firefly.html
  25. https://www.steamlocomotive.com/survivors/?country=UK&state=ENG
  26. https://excerpts.cdn.overdrive.com/FormatType-410/1486-1/FD7/C42/B5/SilverLocomotiveMystery9780749007584.epub
  27. https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/407654/on-the-slow-train-by-michael-williams/9781848092082
  28. https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/6581124.steam-replica-gets-star-role/
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