4-2-2 Iron Duke/ Rover Class GWR Profile and Models

The Great Western Railway Iron Duke Class 4-2-2 was a class of broad gauge steam locomotives built for express passenger train work. The prototype locomotive, Great Western, was built as a 2-2-2 locomotive in April 1846, but was soon converted to a 4-2-2 arrangement. Locomotives of the Iron Duke class were fast for their time and were recorded reaching 78.2 mph. They were used to haul the Flying Dutchman express train which, for several decades, was the world's fastest train. In 1852 the daily service from London Paddington to Exeter was achieved with an average speed of 53 mph. In May to July 1870, three locomotives were extensively rebuilt with new frames and boilers, but retaining their original names. Following these, further locomotives were built to similar specifications and are generally referred to as the Rover Class. Apart from the three conversions, the original locomotives were withdrawn between December 1870 and June 1884. Lord of the Isles (the last to be withdrawn) was initially preserved by the GWR at Swindon Works, but was scrapped in January 1906 owing to the pressure of space. The three conversions were withdrawn between September 1880 and October 1887, while the other locomotives to the later design were all withdrawn with the end of the GWR broad gauge in May 1892.

(Information provided via Wikipedia)

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