Why was it nicknamed 'Hippopotamus'? Exploring Stephenson's long boiler loco | Curator with a Camera

Join Bob Gwynne in the National Railway Museum's Great Hall for an in-depth tour of our 1001 Class locomotive from 1874, which introduced Robert Stephenson's 'long boiler' design.

These engines proved popular for hauling goods and minerals (such as coal) in the North East of England, which at the time was a hotbed of coal-mining activity. By repositioning the firebox, the tubes inside the boiler could be lengthened, increasing the engine's power output.

However, the short wheelbase of this model's design meant it had some rather undesirable characteristics when on the move.

To find out more about the National Railway Museum, visit our website: https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/

00:00-01:30 Intro
01:30-02:22 Smokebox, oil lamps and sandboxes
02:22-03:34 Benefits of the long boiler design
03:34-04:04 Six wheels, short wheelbase
04:04-04:57 Preservation, livery and original paint
04:57-05:42 Coupling and safety chains
05:42-07:53 Body design details
07:53-12:00 Inside the cab
12:00-12:20 Final thoughts
12:20-12.41 Like and subscribe!

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