The LNER Encyclopedia

Hi, I'm looking for more information on the Great Northern Railway's 50 Sharp Singles, over half of them were later rebuilt as 2-2-2BTs. The engines looked, and were, unsteady, and were nicknamed "boxers" and "tailwaggers."

In original form with a six wheel tender they were an off the shelf product of Sharps Brothers and Co, and on the much shorter original wheelbase of 12' 8" must have been very lively! (They clearly had some fame at the time, if you visit Cotehele House in Cornwall (NT), they have an ancient matchbox with a clearly recognisable picture of the loco in original form, the brand name of the matches 'Little Sharpie'.)

Archibald Sturrock lost little time in modifying them as better main line traction was both bought in and constructed to his designs, and found his way to an 0-4-2T rebuild as the pattern for his own design, which effectively commenced the series of front coupled inside cylinder tanks for the Great Northern's inner suburban services, followed by Stirling and Ivatt in turn, and which finished with Gresley's N2 design.
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RCTS Great Northern Locomotive History Volume 1 1847-66: https://www.rcts.org.uk/publications/sales

Volumes 1, 2 and 3A currently on offer at £6... (3B OOP)