View source for GWR 111 The Great Bear

{{Short description|Steam locomotive in Great Britain}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2015}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:GWR 111 ''The Great Bear''}}
{{Infobox locomotive
| name = ''The Great Bear''
| powertype = Steam
| operator = [[Great Western Railway|GWR]]
| builder = GWR, [[Swindon Works]]
| officialname = ''The Great Bear'', renamed ''Viscount Churchill'' in 1924
| fleetnumbers = 111
| whytetype = {{whyte|4-6-2}}
| uicclass = 2'C1'h4
| tractiveeffort = {{convert|27,800|lbf|kN|abbr=on}} (at 85% boiler pressure)
| cylindercount = 4
| cylindersize = {{convert|15|x|26|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| totalsurface = {{convert|3400.81|sqft|abbr=on}}
| fireboxarea = {{convert|158.154|sqft|abbr=on}}
| superheaterarea = {{convert|545|sqft|abbr=on}}
| firearea = {{convert|41.79|sqft|abbr=on}}
| boilerpressure = {{convert|225|psi|MPa|3|abbr=on}}
| leadingdiameter = {{convert|3|ft|2|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
| driverdiameter = {{convert|6|ft|8.5|in|m|abbr=on}}
| trailingdiameter = {{convert|3|ft|8|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
| retiredate = (rebuilt 1924) July 1953
| image = Great bear.jpg
| alt = 
| caption = 111 ''The Great Bear'' in 1908
| designer = [[George Jackson Churchward]]
| ordernumber = Lot 171
| serialnumber = 2279
| builddate = February 1908
| totalproduction = 1
| rebuilder = GWR, Swindon
| rebuilddate = 7 January 1924
| numberrebuilt = 1
| gauge = {{track gauge|uksg|allk=on}}
| minimumcurve = 
| wheelbase = {{convert|34|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|71|ft|2.025|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| width = 
| height = 
| axleload = {{convert|20|LT|t ST|0|abbr=on|lk=on}}
| weightondrivers = {{convert|60|LT|t ST|0|abbr=on|lk=off}}
| locoweight = {{convert|97|LT|t ST|0|abbr=on|lk=off}}
| tenderweight = {{convert|45.75|LT|t ST|abbr=on|lk=off}}
| locotenderweight = {{convert|142.75|LT|t ST|abbr=on|lk=off}}
| tendertype = 8 wheel [[bogie]]
| fueltype = [[Coal]]
| fuelcap = {{convert|6|LT|t ST|1|abbr=on}}
| watercap = {{convert|3500|gal|abbr=on}}
| boiler = GWR Standard No. 6<ref>{{Cite book|last=Champ|first=Jim |title=An Introduction to Great Western Locomotive Development |year=2018|publisher=[[Pen and Sword Books|Pen & Sword Transport]] |isbn=978-1-4738-7784-9|location=Barnsley |oclc=1029234106 |ol=26953051M |page=321 }}</ref>
| tubearea = 
| fluearea = 
| tubesandflues = {{convert|2697.67|sqft|abbr=on}}
| superheatertype = Swindon No. 1, Field-tube, 3-row
| valvegear = 
| valvetype = 
| trainheating = 
| locobrakes = 
| trainbrakes = 
| safety = 
| operatorclass = 111
| powerclass = Special
| numinclass = 1
| nicknames = 
| axleloadclass = Red
| locale = [[Great Western Main Line ]] ([[London Paddington station|Paddington]] - [[Bristol Temple Meads railway station|Bristol]])
| deliverydate = 
| firstrundate = 4 February 1908
| lastrundate = 
| withdrawndate = 
| scrapdate = 
| currentowner = 
| disposition = Front end reused to build another [[GWR 4073 Class]], rest of the locomotive was scrapped
}}
'''''The Great Bear''''', number 111, was a locomotive of the [[Great Western Railway]]. It was the first [[4-6-2]] (Pacific) locomotive used on a railway in Great Britain,<ref name="SR">{{cite magazine | last = Foster  | first = Richard  | title = The man and his machines: The Great Bear | magazine = Steam Railway | issue = 342  |page=69  | publisher = EMAP Ltd  | location = Peterborough | date = November 2007 }}</ref> and the only one of its type built by the GWR.

==Origins==
There are differing views as to why Churchward and the GWR should have built a Pacific locomotive in 1908 when current and future locomotive practice for the railway was centred on the [[4-6-0]] wheel arrangement. One suggestion is that ''The Great Bear'' was built in 1908 to satisfy demands from the directors for the largest locomotive in Britain, and much was made of the locomotive by the GWR's publicity department. However, [[O. S. Nock]] was adamant that the design "was entirely due to Churchward, and not to outside influences that pressed the project upon him".<ref name=Nock1983>{{harvnb |Nock |1983 |p=80}}</ref> Nock regarded the locomotive as "primarily an exercise in boiler design", with Churchward looking forward to a time when his [[GWR 4000 Class|Star Class]] locomotives could no longer cope with increasing loads.<ref>{{harvnb |Nock |1983 |p=163}}</ref> Others have referred to a statement made to the GWR board in 1906 about the GWR-designed [[GWR 4000 Class|4-4-2 North Star]], where Churchward stated that a 4-6-2 would be bigger than required at that time but that such a design was being prepared. The order for ''The Great Bear'' was placed in January 1907.{{sfn|Steam World|1992|p=46}}

==Design==
The front-end layout of the class was the same as that for the Star Class except that Churchward fitted {{convert|15|in|mm|abbr=on}} diameter cylinders, the maximum possible without fouling the rear wheels of the front [[bogie]].<ref>{{harvnb |Nock |1980 |p=81}}</ref>  However, the design of the boiler was entirely new, and with a barrel of {{convert|23|ft|m|3|abbr=on}} in length,<ref name=TRM1290>{{cite magazine|title=Britain's first Pacific|first=Keith|last=Farr|magazine=The Railway Magazine|pages=38–43|date=October 2008|volume=154|issue=1,290|issn=0033-8923}}</ref> which was exceptionally long both by contemporary and later standards. The main reason Churchward adopted the 4-6-2 wheel arrangement was to enable him to fit a wide [[firebox (steam engine)|firebox]] over the trailing wheels. With a firebox surface of {{convert|182|sqft|abbr=on}}, this was a 17.5% increase in size compared to the Star Class.<ref>{{harvnb |Nock |1983 |p=164}}</ref> It was also built with a Swindon No. 1 superheater.

==Power classification==
With the introduction of [[Great Western Railway Power Classification]] in 1920, the power classification was "Special" (denoted by a black "+" on the red route availability disc,<ref name=RCTS1960H13>{{harvnb|le Fleming|1960|p=H13}}</ref>) although the tractive effort of {{convert|27800|lbf|abbr=on}} fell within the range for "D".

==Performance==
In service, the performance of ''The Great Bear'' proved to be disappointing and not a significant improvement on existing classes. "The excessive tube and barrel length of 23 feet made for bulk rather than efficiency".<ref name=RCTS1953H13>{{harvnb|le Fleming|1953|p=H13}}</ref> Also, the axle boxes of the trailing wheels tended to become overheated due to their proximity to the firebox. Churchward attempted to improve the locomotive's performance by adding a Swindon No. 3 Superheater in 1913 and top-feed apparatus. However, the excellent performance of the Star Class and the advent of the [[First World War]] brought a stop to further experimentation without significant improvement.

==Route availability==
In addition to the disappointing performance, the locomotive had a highly restrictive route availability which limited its usefulness. The {{convert|20|LT|9|Lcwt|abbr=on}} axle load restricted it to the [[Great Western Main Line|Paddington to Bristol]] main line, although it was once recorded to have travelled as far west as Newton Abbot.<ref name="SR" /> The [[Great Western Railway Weight Classification|GWR route availability]] colour code for ''The Great Bear'' was Red.<ref name=RCTS1960H13 />

==Publicity value==
Although not a technical success, ''The Great Bear'' was considered the company's flagship locomotive from its introduction until Churchward's retirement in 1922.<ref>{{harvnb |Nock |1980 |p=85}}</ref> With the introduction of [[GWR 4073 Class|4073 ''Caerphilly Castle'']] in 1923 with a higher [[tractive effort]], ''The Great Bear'' ceased to have any publicity value and became an embarrassment. It was due for heavy repairs in January 1924 and so was withdrawn from service by Churchward's successor [[Charles Collett]].<ref>{{harvnb |Nock |1980 |p=89}}</ref> It had run 527,272 miles by this time. Its regular engine driver was Thomas Blackall, originally from [[Aston Tirrold]], Oxfordshire.

==Rebuilding==
"The front portion of the original frames and the number plates were used again but probably little else".<ref name=RCTS1953H13 /> No. 111 emerged as a 4-6-0 in the [[GWR 4073 Class|Castle Class]], given the name ''[[Viscount Churchill]]''. Thereafter, the GWR did not use the Pacific wheel arrangement. No. 111 was withdrawn in July 1953 and scrapped later that year. One of the original nameplates is in the Science Museum.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://collection.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects/co207360/nameplate-great-western-railway-the-great-bear-locomotive-nameplate|title = Nameplate, Great Western Railway, "The Great Bear" &#124; Science Museum Group Collection}}</ref>

==Assessment==
According to Cecil J. Allen, "''The Great Bear'' was one of the very few locomotive types that Swindon has produced, and in particular among the Churchward designs, to which the word 'failure' could be applied."<ref>{{harvnb |Allen|1962 |p=11}}</ref> Authorities differ as to Churchward's attitude to his locomotive. According to Le Fleming, "his dislike of 'The Bear' was well known",<ref>{{harvnb|le Fleming|1953|p=H12}}</ref> but Nock said that he had "a deep affection for the engine", although he came to regard it as "a [[white elephant]]" rather than a "Great Bear".<ref>{{harvnb |Nock |1980 |p=90}}</ref>  He was disappointed to hear of ''The Great Bear'''s destruction, and, upon hearing of [[Nigel Gresley]]'s plans to construct a Pacific for the [[Great Northern Railway (Great Britain)|Great Northern Railway]], is said to have replied: "What did that young man want to build it for? We could have sold him ours!"

== References ==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===References===
*{{cite book |title=Churchward Locomotives |last=Haresnape |first=Brian  |author2=Alec Swain |year=1976 |publisher=Ian Allan Publishing |isbn=0-7110-0697-0}}
* {{cite book|last=Allen|first=Cecil J.|title=British Pacific Locomotives|year=1962|publisher=Ian Allan Ltd.|location=London}}
*{{RCTS-LocosGWR-8|edition=1st }}
*{{RCTS-LocosGWR-8|edition=2nd }}
*{{cite magazine| date = August 1992| title = The 'Bear' facts have become clearer| magazine = Steam World| issue = 62|location = Peterborough| publisher = EMAP Apex Publications|ref={{sfnref|Steam World|1992}} }}
* {{cite book|last=Nock|first=O. S.|title=British Locomotives of the 20th Century Vol.1. |year=1983|publisher=Book Club Associates|location=London}}
* {{cite book|last=Nock|first=O. S.|title=The GWR Stars, Castles and Kings |year=1980|publisher=Book Club Associates|location=London}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|GWR 111 The Great Bear}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/m_in_462.htm|title=Great Western "Pacific" steam locomotive, "The Great Bear"|publisher=The Great Western Archive|last=Daniel|first=John|date=2013-07-07|access-date=2014-01-06}}

{{GWR Locomotives}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gwr 0111 the great bear}}
[[Category:Great Western Railway locomotives|0111]]
[[Category:Individual locomotives of Great Britain]]
[[Category:4-6-2 locomotives]]
[[Category:Scrapped locomotives]]
[[Category:Standard-gauge steam locomotives of Great Britain]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1908]]
[[Category:2′C1′ h4 locomotives]]
[[Category:Passenger locomotives in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Unique locomotives]]