Cowes & Newport 2-2-2 Locomotives in Great_Britain

Class Pioneer (Locobase 10164)

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.