Goliath

**Goliath**, named because of his massive size, is a large express tank locomotive owned by the Wellsworth & Suddery Railway (W&S) from 1913 to the formation of the North Western Railway (NWR) in 1915. He was the largest tank engine owned by the railway and the most powerful express locomotive.

## Biography

Goliath was built at Brighton Works in December 1913 for express duties on the W&S and to decrease the workload off B4 4-4-0s Buxton and Burton and handle heavy express trains over Wellsworth Bank without the need of a banker or a pilot. His arrival was met some shock and aw from Eric and Gwen and with fiery scoffing from Drake, who saw him as a threat to his status of the W&S' flagship.

## Personality

Goliath is a young engine which appears to have not been matured.

## Livery

Goliath is painted in the standard Wellsworth & Suddery Railway Maroon livery.

## Basis

Goliath is based off a LB&SCR L class 4-6-4T. Nicknamed "Brighton Baltics" ("Baltic" is the European term for a 4-6-4 or "Hudson") but crews, 7 were built at Brighton Works with two March-September 1914 and an extra five from 1921-1922 (delayed due to WWI) for express duties. They were an enlargement of the J1 and J2 4-6-2Ts from 1910 and 1912 by fitting a four wheel bogie on the rear and extending the boiler. Three were named in LB&SCR days while all were named after famous engineers in SR (apart from No. 333 'Remembrance', the memorial engine) but were rebuilt by Richard Maunsell into 4-6-0s based on the N15 "King Arthurs", known as the "N15X" from 1934 to 1936. They gained a reputation for being rough riding following their rebuilds to tender engines and became hated by their former crews. Withdrawals occurred from 1955 to 1957 and none have been preserved.

## Trivia

Goliath is a paradox as he was built in December 1913 but his class was introduced in March 1914. This can be explained with the possibility of Goliath being a prototype of the class.

Goliath's proposed name was going to be "Leviathan" as part of theme with many characters having their name beginning with the class' letter. In the end, the name Goliath was settled as it was the first thing the writer came up with.

Due to his size, Goliath is the largest tank engine and the largest locomotive ever owned by the Wellsworth & Suddery Railway.

* Goliath was the largest locomotive on Sodor until the arrival of prototype Gresley A1 'Gordon' in 1923.

Goliath has the highest number for a locomotive built for the Wellsworth & Suddery Railway. No. 31 onwards are used on ex-Sodor & Mainland Railway locomotives.

Goliath is named after the giant biblical figure that was taken down by David in the book 1 Samuel 17.

Despite his actual build date being unknown, Goliath's age can be calculated as follows:

* In German Spy (set in August 1915), Goliath is 1 turning 2 years old.
* In Brighton Baltic (set in December 1913), Goliath is a few days old.

Goliath is the second last locomotive built for the W&S.

## Gallery

Goliath following his delivery to the W&S in December 1913. Note the wooden structures around his smokebox.Goliath with Rex (left) prior to the latter's withdrawal following the larger tank engine's arrival in December 1913.