Astonishingly Complex Drive System Uniflow Engine Challenges #ftp #experimental #steam #railway

What happens when one man dares to rewrite the rules of locomotive design? In this fascinating episode, we uncover the little-known story of the Paget Locomotive—one of the most daring and unconventional experiments in British steam history.

Built in 1908 at the Midland Railway’s Derby Works, this mysterious engine was the brainchild of Lt-Col. Sir Cecil Walter Paget, an engineer and aristocrat who just happened to be the son of the Midland Railway’s chairman. Paget dreamed of creating a radically efficient locomotive that would outperform anything seen before—and he was willing to fund it with his own money to prove it.

The result? A mammoth 2-6-2 steam locomotive weighing over 122 tons, featuring an astonishing eight inside uniflow cylinders, each fed by rotary valves—a setup more at home in a laboratory than a locomotive depot.

In this video, we’ll explore:

???? The revolutionary use of uniflow steam technology and why it promised—but ultimately failed—to increase efficiency
???? The mind-boggling complexity of its rotary valve gear, and how it devoured 30% more power than conventional systems
???? The highly unusual firebrick-lined firebox with no side or rear water walls, designed to eliminate the need for stays
???? Why the entire project was shrouded in secrecy, with only one known photograph released—after the 1923 Grouping
⚠️ How a valve seizure near Toton caused a 7-hour mainline blockage—sealing the locomotive’s fate
????️ The conspiracy theory: Was the Paget quietly scrapped while its creator was away in WWI, unable to defend it?

Though the Paget locomotive was ultimately scrapped in 1918, it remains one of the most intriguing—and misunderstood—machines ever built for Britain’s railways. It was bold. It was brilliant. It was deeply flawed. But it pushed the boundaries of what steam could do.

If you're fascinated by forgotten prototypes, failed innovations, and the eccentric geniuses behind them, this is one video you won’t want to miss.

???? Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more stories of lost locomotives, forgotten railways, and the engineers who dared to dream differently.

???? What’s your favourite failed locomotive design? Drop your thoughts in the comments—we love hearing from fellow railway history fans!

#PagetLocomotive, #MidlandRailway, #SteamEngine, #RailwayHistory, #ExperimentalLocomotive, #CecilPaget, #Uniflow, #SteamInnovation, #HiddenEngineering, #historictrains