Dolgoch (locomotive)

Dolgoch

Dolgoch at Tywyn Wharf in 2006

Type and origin
Power type	Steam
Builder	Fletcher, Jennings & Co.
Serial number	63
Model	Class Bb
Build date	1866
Total produced	1

Specifications
Configuration	0-4-0WT
Gauge	2 ft 3 in (686 mm)
Driver diameter	2 ft 3 in (686 mm), formerly 2 ft 4 in (711 mm)
Wheelbase	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Length	17 ft 5 in (5.31 m)
Loco weight	10 tons
Boiler pressure	150 lbf/in² (1.03 MPa)
Cylinders	Two, outside
Cylinder size	7 ⁵⁄₈ in × 16 in (194 mm × 406 mm)

Performance figures
Tractive effort	4,100 lbf (18.24 kN)

Career
Operators	Talyllyn Railway
Numbers	2

No 2 Dolgoch (then carrying the name Pretoria) at Tywyn Wharf station around 1900

Dolgoch in 1951

Dolgoch in 2008

Dolgoch is a narrow gauge 0-4-0 well tank steam locomotive. It was built by Fletcher, Jennings & Co. in 1866 and is one of the oldest locomotives still in active service. It was delivered to the Talyllyn Railway in 1866^[1] and continues to run on this railway.

The fictional Rheneas in The Railway Series by the Rev. W. Awdry was based on this engine.

Dolgoch holds an important place in railway preservation history as it was the only serviceable locomotive on the Talyllyn Railway when it became the first ever preserved railway to be operated by volunteers in 1951, and largely single-handedly kept the railway going during this first season.^[2]

Design

The design is unusual for a 0-4-0. The well tank engine has a long wheelbase and the driving axle is behind the firebox, which prevents the use of a conventional valve gear layout. Consequently, the Allan valve gear is driven from the leading coupled axle and doubled back to connect to the valve rods.

The engine was renamed "Pretoria" between about 1900 and 1914 in celebration of the relief of the township of Pretoria in South Africa by Lord Roberts during the Boer war. It then reverted to the original name "Dolgoch", which it retains to this day. It is likely that, in the top left photograph, the engine carries the name "Pretoria" - the freshly painted appearance hints that this photograph was taken after the repainting and name change (records indicate it was repainted and renamed around 1900^[1], and would have been a bit paint-weary prior to that. Zoom in on the high resolution picture option and you can just make out very faintly ".....ria" painted on the boiler side between the chimney and the side coal bunker). For most of the Railway's life, engine names were painted only on one side of the engines - the North side (the side facing the station platforms which were also only on this side for the whole line). Polished brass nameplates are a feature of current preservation.

References

↑ Boyd 1988
↑ Rolt 1953

Bibliography

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dolgoch.

Boyd, James I.C. (1988). The Talyllyn Railway. WildSwan Publications. ISBN 0906867460.
Rolt, L.T.C. (1953). Railway Adventure. Constable/David and Charles/Pan.

Talyllyn Railway

Main articles	Talyllyn Railway Rolling stock Stations and halts

Locomotives	Talyllyn Dolgoch Sir Haydn Edward Thomas Douglas Tom Rolt

Locations	Tywyn Wharf Pendre Rhydyronen Brynglas Dolgoch Abergynolwyn Nant Gwernol Bryn Eglwys

People	Wilbert Awdry David Curwen Henry Haydn Jones William McConnel Tom Rolt Sonia Rolt James Swinton Spooner

Miscellaneous	Corris Railway Grand Tour Narrow Gauge Railway Museum Race the Train

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