Planet (locomotive)

Not to be confused with a series of petrol and diesel locomotives manufactured by F. C. Hibberd & Co..
Planet

A contemporary drawing of Planet
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Builder Robert Stephenson and Company and others
Build date 1830
Specifications
Configuration 2-2-0
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Axle load 2 long tons 3 cwt 0 qr (4,820 lb or 2.18 t)
Loco weight 4 long tons 5 cwt 0 qr (9,520 lb or 4.32 t)
Couplers buffers and chain
Career
Operators Liverpool and Manchester Railway

Planet was an early steam locomotive built in 1830 by Robert Stephenson and Company for the Liverpool and Manchester Railway.

History

The ninth locomotive built for the L&MR, it was Stephenson's next major design change after the Rocket. It was the first locomotive to employ inside cylinders, and subsequently the 2-2-0 type became known as Planets. On 23 November 1830 No.9 Planet ran the approximately 50 km from Liverpool to Manchester in one hour.

Planet-type locomotives

Six further of the type were ordered by the L&MR from Robert Stephenson & Co. Three more were supplied by Murray & Wood in Leeds, to whom Robert Stephenson & Co. had sent the drawings for their manufacture.[1]

The Planet (from 1830) and the Patentee (from 1833, also designed by Stephenson) were the first locomotive types to be built in large numbers.[2]

Improvements

The Planet locomotives appear closer to subsequent types, and conversely look quite different from Rocket although only a year separated these two designs (Stephenson's Northumbrian representing an intermediate evolutionary step).

Other improvements include:

Replica

Replica of Planet operating at the Museum of Science and Industry

A working replica was built in 1992 by the Friends of the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Manchester, and is operated by volunteers to provide rides for visitors.[3] When not in steam the locomotive is on display in the museum's Power Hall. Planet has visited several other Heritage railways including Shildon Locomotion Museum.

Later engines named Planet

LMS Royal Scot Class 4-6-0 locomotive 6131 was originally named Planet when built in 1928 but was in 1936 renamed The Royal Warwickshire Regiment. In 1948, the name was applied to LMS Rebuilt Patriot Class No. 45545. British Railways Class 86 86218 carried the name Planet from 1979 to 1993.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Early locomotive history". website citing Thomas, R.H.G., The Liverpool & Manchester Railway (London: Batsford, 1960. 264pp).
  2. ↑ "Basic Info on the Stephensons". Stephenson Locomotive Society.
  3. ↑ "MOSI - What's On - Train Rides". Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI).

Further reading


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