The 1076 Class were 266 double framed locomotives built by the Great Western Railway between 1870 and 1881; the last one, number 1287, was withdrawn in 1946. They are often referred to as the Buffalo Class following the naming of locomotive 1134.

History

These large tank locomotives, with their 4 ft wheels and 17 x dia × stroke cylinders were capable of working trains on the main line. They followed on from George Armstrong's 1016 Class built from 1867, themselves derived from the earlier 302 Class of Joseph Armstrong, and were perpetuated by his successor William Dean until 1881. Modernised saddle tank locomotives of similar size were then produced in the 1813 Class. The first six were built with side tanks. The following locomotives had saddle tanks covering their boilers and fireboxes, but from 1874 longer saddle tank extending to the front of the smokebox were the norm. All the earlier locomotives were eventually fitted with these larger tanks. Most were reconstructed with pannier tanks from 1911 onwards. The first locomotives had just a spectacle plate to give protection for the crew, but then small cabs, open at the back, were fitted. Later on most of the surviving locomotives were given full cabs so that there was protection when running in reverse. Other changes to various locomotives over their long lives were Belpaire fireboxes, enlarged coal bunkers, and even superheaters. One or two were fitted with spark-arresting chimneys. 21 were fitted for working autotrains.

Broad gauge conversions

Ten locomotives were built in 1876 with broad gauge wheels outside the standard double frames. Five more broad gauge locomotives were built in 1878, while from 1884 another 35 were converted from standard gauge to broad. All were eventually converted back to standard gauge. 1256 was one of a pair of locomotives that worked the last broad gauge train from Penzance back to Swindon for conversion on 20 May 1892. Locomotives built new as broad gauge are denoted in this list by an asterisk*.

Named locomotive

Locomotives sold

Two locomotives were sold to the Neath and Brecon Railway: Five locomotives were sold to the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway:

List of locomotives

727 to 756

Originally fitted with short saddle tanks.

947 to 966

Originally fitted with short saddle tanks.

1076 to 1081

Originally fitted with side tanks.

1134 to 1153

Most were originally fitted with short saddle tanks.

1166 to 1185

1228 to 1297

1561 to 1660