111 1920 Old Oak Common
The Great Western Railway’s solitary Pacific, No.111 The Great Bear at Old Oak Common in around 1920. It was built in 1908 and taken out of service in January 1924. It was essentially an elongated Star 4-6-0 with a wider firebox and its weight and 71 ft. length restricted its sphere of operation to the main line between Paddington and Bristol. No attempt was made to develop the design and it appears that it was merely a rather expensive public relations exercise instigated by the GWR Board.
Photo: Rail Archive Stephenson