GWR Sharp, Roberts locomotives

The GWR Sharp, Roberts locomotives were three 2-2-2 locomotives, named Lion, Atlas and Eagle, among the first 19 ordered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the Great Western Railway. They were built by Sharp, Roberts and Company, the earlier name of the firm that became Sharp, Stewart and Company, and were the most successful of the early designs, two of them lasting until the 1870s. The broad gauge engines entered service in 1838, with works letters R, S and T. Their original 14 by 15 inch cylinders were replaced from 1844 by larger ones of 14 by 18 or 15 by 18 inches. Lion was withdrawn in 1847, Eagle in 1871 and Atlas in 1872, and Atlas and Eagle had been rebuilt as 2-2-2T tank locomotives in 1860. After withdrawal Atlas was sold to a Mr Glasbrook in Swansea.