LNWR Glossary

Glossary Results for prefix "gr"

Grand Junction Railway (GJR)	Incorporated 1833. Line opened 4^th July 1837 from Birmingham (Curzon Street), through Wolverhampton, Stafford, Crewe and Warrington, to a junction with the Liverpool and Manchester Railway at Earlestown (then known as Warrington Junction). Amalgamated with other lines to form the London and North Western Railway in 1846.
Grate	As in a domestic situation, in a steam engine the grate supports the fire. At its base are fire bars, tapered to allow adequate draught to the fire, and often set at a gradient so that fuel is shuffled forward by the movement of the engine. Below the fire bars is the ash pan.
Great Central Railway (GCR)	The name adopted by the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway (previously the Sheffield, Ashton and Manchester Railway) with the intention of becoming a national, rather than a regional, railway by opening the “London extension” to Marylebone via Nottingham and Leicester; it was grouped into the LNER in 1923. Not part of the LNWR but a joint owner, with the LNWR, of the Manchester South Junction and Altrincham line.
Great Eastern Railway (GER)	Not part of LNWR.
Great Northern Railway (GNR)	Not part of LNWR. Main line from London (King‘s Cross) to Doncaster and Leeds with other important lines in Lincolnshire and branches. A major constituent of the London & North Eastern Railway, now the East Coast Main Line.
Great Western Railway (GWR)	Not part of LNWR. Minor company of “little significance”, often known as the “Great Way Round” or “God’s Wonderful Railway”.
Greater Britain 2-2-2-2 Locomotive Class	This class of ten 2-2-2-2 compounds was built by Webb from 1891 to 1894. With 7ft driving wheels and the same cylinder arrangement and valve gear as the “Teutonics”, they were a massive development of that class. Their overall length, at just over 54ft, was comparable with that of the eight-coupled goods engines. All had two-word names; each word on its own name plate on each splasher.
Greenly, Henry (1876—1947)	He was a pioneer of miniature passenger-carrying railways. In 1901 to become assistant editor of The Model Engineer. In 1906 he became a consulting engineer in model subjects and for many years worked with W.J. Bassett Lowke designing locomotives for miniature railways in Britain and abroad. About this time he started a monthly magazine devoted to models, railways and locomotives which ended in 1916. In 1922 he became engineer to the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway which, under his guidance, was converted to 15in gauge. He was also associated with the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch 15in gauge line from its inception in 1926 until its completion in 1930. His books: Model steam locomotives, 1922, Model electric locomotives and railways, 1922 and Model railways, 1924 did much to establish model railways in Britain.
Gresley, Sir Herbert Nigel (1876—1941)	After training on the LNWR and L&YR, he was the carriage and wagon superintendent on the GNR 1905–1911, then CME of the GNR 1911–1922 and LNER 1923–1941. Designer of many very successful engines, he implemented numerous design features such as superheating, conjugated valve gear and the use of three cylinders. Among his most successful designs are the Pacifics, classes A1, later A3, and A4, one member of which, Mallard, is the fastest steam locomotive ever.
Gricer	Faintly contemptuous modern term for a ‘train spotter’ or ’number snatcher’, implying a person whose interest in or knowledge of railways is confined to collecting engine numbers.
Grid Irons, Edge Hill	The inward and outward sorting sidings at Edge Hill, shunted by gravity, were colloquially known as “grid irons”, from their appearance in plan.
Ground Frame	A small lever frame, either in the open or in an unmanned hut, which controls points and/or signals remote from the main signal box.
Ground Signal	A signal that is not high in the air, but placed very close the ground. Mainly used in yards and stations where low speed is the essence.
Grouping	In 1923, 123 separate railway companies were grouped into just four, the Great Western Railway (the only one already existing), London Midland & Scottish, London North Eastern Railway and Southern Railway.
Grouse Traffic	The LNWR and Caledonian term for the movement of passengers and carriages to the Highlands in the period before 12^th August (the beginning of grouse shooting). It was in connection with this lucrative traffic that the races to Aberdeen took place in 1895.
Guard	A travelling employee who is in charge and oversees the safe working of a train. Where the guard has no assistants such as a conductor on a passenger train, the guard is also responsible for shunting operations and the comfort of passengers.
Guard Rail	A longitudinal rail running alongside a railway track and raised in height above the running rails. Guard rails are usually found on bridges and on sharp curves and are intended to restrain the lateral movement of vehicles which might become derailed.
Guards Van	Another term for a brake-van or full brake.
Gunpowder Van	A van used to carry gunpowder, usually constructed of steel for strength, safety and security.