4-4-2 De Glehn Compound GWR Profile and Models

G.J Churchward, the GWR's Chief Mechanical Engineer, looked at the best practice from both Europe and America, and was impressed by the performance of the de Glehn compounds running on the Nord railway in France. A single locomotive, built specifically for the GWR by Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques on the de Glehn principles was delivered in October 1903. This locomotive was numbered 102 and named La France. La France was visibly not a GWR engine, although fitted with a Swindon chimney and paired with a standard tender, as immediately recognisable from firebox and the cab. La France was put to work on important expresses in order to fully evaluate it in operation, and worked turn and turn about with GWR 4-4-0 express locos such as the City class and Atbara class. In practice, La France did not provide any significant improvement in either performance or economy compared to No 171 Albion, Churchwards prototype 4-6-0. Some other benefits were found, however, particularly a much smoother ride and also a reduction in the loads on the rods and axleboxes. La France was withdrawn in October 1926 having achieved 728,031 miles.

(Information provided via Wikipedia)

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