Data from William V Cauchi, "The Locomotive History of the Isle of Wight Central Railway," The Locomotive Magazine, Vol V (October 1900), p. 173.
Cauchi's summary includes both the development of the Isle of Wight railway network and their locomotives. The island, which is south of Hampshire on the south coast of England, measures 147 sq miles (380 sq km), which is not insiginficant in terms of requiring transport. The 4 1/2 -mile (7.2-km) C & N opened on 16 June 1862. In that short length, according to an account in the Isle of Wight Beacon ([]), "[i[t featured a tunnel near Mill Hill Station and part crossed the Medina Estuary on a wooden viaduct." followed by the Isle of Wight Company's Ryde-Ventnor in 1864-1866 and several other railways. The C & N, Newport & Ryde, and the Newport & Sandown were amalgamated in 1887 as the Isle of Wight Central Railways.
The compact little tanks, manufactured by S & G just before they reformulated as Avonside Engine works. In addition to Pioneer, there was Precursor and one other. The brass dome sat over the firebox and just ahead of the cab. When they entered service they were painted light blue lined with red; later they would acquire the I of WC red livery.
| Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media | |
|---|---|
| Class | Pioneer |
| Locobase ID | 10164 |
| Railroad | Cowes & Newport |
| Country | Great Britain |
| Whyte | 2-2-2T |
| Number in Class | 3 |
| Road Numbers | |
| Gauge | Std |
| Number Built | 3 |
| Builder | Slaughter & Grunning |
| Year | 1861 |
| Valve Gear | Stephenson |
| Locomotive Length and Weight | |
| Driver Wheelbase (ft / m) | |
| Engine Wheelbase (ft / m) | 11.25 / 3.43 |
| Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase | |
| Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m) | 11.25 / 3.43 |
| Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg) | 19,040 / 8636 |
| Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg) | 19,040 / 8636 |
| Engine Weight (lbs / kg) | 43,120 / 19,559 |
| Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg) | |
| Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg) | |
| Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML) | 480 / 1.82 |
| Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT) | 0.30 |
| Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m) | 32 / 16 |
| Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort | |
| Driver Diameter (in / mm) | 60 / 1524 |
| Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa) | 120 / 830 |
| High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm) | 13.5" x 16" / 343x406 |
| Tractive Effort (lbs / kg) | 4957 / 2248.46 |
| Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) | 3.84 |
| Heating Ability | |
| Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm) | 119 - 1.875" / 48 |
| Flues (number - dia) (in / mm) | |
| Flue/Tube length (ft / m) | |
| Firebox Area (sq ft / m2) | 53 / 4.93 |
| Grate Area (sq ft / m2) | 8.80 / 0.82 |
| Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2) | 549 / 51.02 |
| Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2) | |
| Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2) | 549 / 51.02 |
| Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume | 207.11 |
| Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information) | |
| Robert LeMassena's Power Computation | 1056 |
| Same as above plus superheater percentage | 1056 |
| Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area | 6360 |
| Power L1 | 3685 |
| Power MT | 426.68 |