© Don Marshall 2011
ELEGANT STEAM
Great Northern Railway
Sturrock 4-2-2 No 215. This locomotive was designed by Archibald Sturrock, the GNR Chief Mechanical Engineer, and entered service in 1853. It was the sole example of a single driver designed by Sturrock and the first example of a long line of single driver locomotives in service later on the GNR, notably by Stirling. It was initially regarded as a masterpiece but problems with derailments caused by the limited clearance of the bogie and, no doubt, exacerbated by the flangeless driving wheels resulted in no more examples of the class. In any case, Sturrock had lost interest in express locomotives and became enthusiastic about steam tenders. The bogie is rather odd and doesn't seem to be a 4-wheel pivoted truck. I assume that it operated by sideplay in the axleboxes. Certainly photographs don't show any obvious outside frames to the bogie which must have been there had it been a 4 wheel pivoted truck. Hopefully, someone will clarify this issue.
I am told that the GNR had, at first, painted their locomotives in a dark almost Brunswick Green but later, about half way through Sturrock's reign, adopted the familiar lighter shade of green but retained the darker shade as the equally familiar outlines on the flat panels. Originally this locomotive had a lookout shelter at the rear of the tender but this appears to have been removed at some point in its 17 year life. At the same time the lining on the toolboxes seems to have been omitted.
I am told that the GNR had, at first, painted their locomotives in a dark almost Brunswick Green but later, about half way through Sturrock's reign, adopted the familiar lighter shade of green but retained the darker shade as the equally familiar outlines on the flat panels. Originally this locomotive had a lookout shelter at the rear of the tender but this appears to have been removed at some point in its 17 year life. At the same time the lining on the toolboxes seems to have been omitted.
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