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This engine has been for some past the engine with the largest
driving wheels in existence.
She was designed by J. Trevethick and built in 1847 and was
shown in the Exhibition of 1851. Fig. 1 represents the engine as
originally constructed. The boiler, it will be seen, went under
the driving axle and she ran on eight wheels; but Mr. Ramsbottom
rebuilt and altered her, in 1862-63, to her present state, as
shown in Fig 2 with the exception of the cab which has since
been added by Mr. Webb. Dimensions; cylinders 17½" x
24", Wheels, leading and trailing 48"; Driving
8'6" Weight of engine in working order = 63,840 lbs.
The object in building the "Cornwall" was to prove
that the narrow gauge could have a larger driving wheel - viz 8
ft 6 in then the Great Western, 7 ft gauge engines of that time.
The "Cornwall" when new, its is said attained a speed
of fully 79 miles an hour, and today it can run as fast as any
locomotive that exists.
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