GWR Hercules Class

By 1842 GWR goods traffic had grown beyond the capacity of converted Star and Firefly engines, and Gooch designed a heavy 0-6-0 with 5 ft 0 in coupled wheels for slow heavy freight. Eight engines were built between 1842 and 1846 by various contractors. The class established the pattern for GWR broad-gauge goods practice.

Worked broad-gauge goods traffic from 1842 until rebuilt with larger boilers in the 1860s, then continued in service until the May 1892 abolition of the broad gauge. None preserved.

Broad-gauge 0-6-0 with 5 ft 0 in coupled wheels, inside cylinders, and Gooch's domeless boiler with copper-capped chimney.

• Hercules, Pluto, Mars, Mammoth (1842–46, not preserved)