This GWR board gauge loco was seen at a Bristol exhibition. It is a Rover class dating from 1886-8, built in 5” gauge by Vic Doswell.

This was the last version of the GW Iron Duke class. They ran most of the west of England express trains. The prototype locomotive, Great Western, was built as a 2-2-2 locomotive in April 1846, but was soon converted to a 4-2-2 arrangement, with the leading wheels set rigidly within sandwich framing, rather than in a separate bogie.

Iron Duke locomotives were quick for their time, recorded at up to 78.2 mph. They were used to haul the Flying Dutchman express train, which was the fastest express train in the world. In 1852, the daily service from London Paddington to Exeter ran at an average speed of 53 mph.

The Iron Duke Class became known as the Alma Class. In 1870, three locomotives (Great Britain, Prometheus and Estaffete) were extensively rebuilt with new frames and boilers, while retaining their original names. Following on, more were built to similar specifications, entering service between August 1871-88 to become the Rover class.