James Cudworth (engineer) - Wikipedia - Recent changes [en]

By 1855, Cudworth started to introduce more conventional steam locomotives. Fifty three [[0-6-0]] goods engines were constructed at Ashford Works between 1855 and 1876. The engines were double framed, with 16" x 24" cylinders. A number of these engines were rebuilt twice, firstly by Cudworth and later by [[James Stirling (1835–1917)|Stirling]]. The engines gave over 40 years service on the [[South Eastern Main Line]]. In 1857, Cudworth introduced a class of 2-4-0s. Forty eight were built by contractors, and 68 were built at Ashford Works between 1857 and 1875. Many of them were rebuilt by Stirling. These engines also gave many years service on the SER.{{sfn|Nock|1961|pp=71–72}}

By 1855, Cudworth started to introduce more conventional steam locomotives. Fifty three [[0-6-0]] goods engines were constructed at Ashford Works between 1855 and 1876. The engines were double framed, with 16" x 24" cylinders. A number of these engines were rebuilt twice, firstly by Cudworth and later by [[James Stirling (1835–1917)|Stirling]]. The engines gave over 40 years service on the [[South Eastern Main Line]]. In 1857, Cudworth introduced a class of 2-4-0s. Forty eight were built by contractors, and 68 were built at Ashford Works between 1857 and 1875. Many of them were rebuilt by Stirling. These engines also gave many years service on the SER.{{sfn|Nock|1961|pp=71–72}}

In 1861, Cudworth introduced a class of [[2-2-2]] express passenger locomotives with {{convert|7|ft|m|2}} diameter driving wheels. These engines gave over 20 years service on the boat trains serving [[Folkestone]] and [[Dover]], finally being replaced in 1884 by Stirling's [[SER F Class|F Class]] [[4-4-0]]s.{{sfn|Nock|1961|pp=72–74}} Cudworth was also responsible for the introduction of the [[0-4-4T]] wheel arrangement for steam locomotives to English railways, with his [[SER 235 class|235 class]] of 1866.{{sfn|Bradley|1985|p=122}}{{sfn|Ahrons|1987|p=172}}

In 1861, Cudworth introduced a class of [[2-2-2]] express passenger locomotives with {{convert|7|ft|m|2}} diameter driving wheels. These engines gave over 20 years service on the boat trains serving [[Folkestone]] and [[Dover]], finally being replaced in 1884 by Stirling's [[SER F class|F Class]] [[4-4-0]]s.{{sfn|Nock|1961|pp=72–74}} Cudworth was also responsible for the introduction of the [[0-4-4T]] wheel arrangement for steam locomotives to English railways, with his [[SER 235 class|235 class]] of 1866.{{sfn|Bradley|1985|p=122}}{{sfn|Ahrons|1987|p=172}}

Cudworth had three main achievements on the SER: he planned the layout of Ashford Works and brought it to such a standard that the company was able to begin production of its own locomotives in 1853; with two of his classes (the "Standard Goods" [[0-6-0]] of 1855 and the 118 class 2-4-0 of 1859), practised locomotive standardisation on a scale unheard of on other contemporary railways; and, at a time when coke (a smokeless fuel, but expensive) was normal for railways, designed a successful [[#Coal-burning firebox|coal-burning firebox]].{{sfn|Bradley|1985|p=10}}

Cudworth had three main achievements on the SER: he planned the layout of Ashford Works and brought it to such a standard that the company was able to begin production of its own locomotives in 1853; with two of his classes (the "Standard Goods" [[0-6-0]] of 1855 and the 118 class 2-4-0 of 1859), practised locomotive standardisation on a scale unheard of on other contemporary railways; and, at a time when coke (a smokeless fuel, but expensive) was normal for railways, designed a successful [[#Coal-burning firebox|coal-burning firebox]].{{sfn|Bradley|1985|p=10}}