coquette 3D model

This jackshaft locomotive was built for the South Eastern Railway in 1851. It is a Crampton type, ie the single pair of driving wheels was placed right at the back, with the axle running behind the firebox. This gave a low centre of gravity without the complications of running axles through the boiler. (this was tried by somebody!) This in itself was not unusual for the time, the Crampton layout being popular until its inherent defect- lack of adhesion weight on the driving wheels- could no longer be overlooked. The idea was introduced by Thomas Crampton.