The Metcalfe Castle System (as it has become known) is a range of individual cardboard kits that combine to create a...
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What is the Metcalfe Castle System?Read more -
What is a train tail lamp?Read moreTail lamps on trains have been around since the 1800s, originally powered by oil and later by batteries, they consist...
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What was the purpose of the deflector plates fitted to the front of some steam locomotives ?Read moreDeflector plates, also known as smoke deflectors or smoke lifters, were fitted to the front of some steam locomotives...
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Why do some wagons have articulated bogies?Read moreSome wagons are equipped with articulated bogies to provide enhanced stability, improved tracking and increased...
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How can I power accessories if I have no suitable auxiliary port?Read moreIf you don't have an auxiliary port on your controller, but want to power some accessories, what can you do?If...
Why were the 'Prairie' steam locomotives used by Great Western Railways so named ?
Historically, this name was originally given to a series of steam locomotives designed to work on routes through the Mid-West Prairies of the United States. These locomotives adopted a distinctive 2-6-2 configuration according to the whyte notation. This means that they had two leading wheels, six driving wheels and two trailing wheels. The middle set of six driving wheels gave the locomotive a characteristic look.
Great Western Railways (GWR) adopted this wheel arrangement for some of their locomotives because it provided a good balance between power and flexibility. The leading and trailing wheels helped to guide the locomotive around curves, while the six driving wheels ensured that it had enough traction to haul heavy loads. This made the 'Prairie' locomotives well-suited for both freight and passenger services on the Great Western Railways network.
The 'Prairie' locomotives were a popular and successful design, not just for Great Western Railways but also on other railways around the world. They were known for their reliability, efficiency and versatility. The name 'Prairie' became synonymous with this particular wheel arrangement and is still used today to describe locomotives with a 2-6-2 configuration.
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