GNR Class C1 (small boiler Atlantic)

Henry Ivatt, succeeding Stirling at the GNR in 1896, recognised that the GNR's growing express loads were beyond the capacity of even the largest singles. His response was Britain's first 4-4-2 ("Atlantic") — a layout developed in America to provide a much larger firebox between trailing and driving axles than was possible in a 4-4-0. The prototype, No. 990, was built at Doncaster in 1898 and named Henry Oakley after the GNR General Manager.

22 small-boiler Atlantics were built at Doncaster between 1898 and 1903. They worked GNR expresses successfully, although they were soon superseded by the larger-boiler Atlantics from 1902 onwards. 990 Henry Oakley was preserved by the LNER as a heritage engine and is now at the NRM.

4-4-2 with 6 ft 7 in coupled wheels, leading 4-wheel bogie, trailing carrying axle, large firebox over the trailing axle, parallel boiler with brass dome.

• 990 Henry Oakley (1898, National Railway Museum)