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The Planet and Samson Locomotives (Hardback)

Their Design and Development

Colour Books Photographic Books Transport > Trains & Railways

By Anthony Dawson
Imprint: Pen & Sword Transport
Pages: 184
ISBN: 9781399092647
Published: 3rd May 2023

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Robert Stephenson’s Planet class locomotive was the first true design of mainline express passenger locomotive. Delivered less than a year after Rocket it was one of the most successful early locomotive designs. Planet set the mold for British locomotive design for more than the next century featuring a multi tubular boiler; inside cylinders; crank axle; and the first use of proper frames.

The Planet class, and its 0-4-0 Samson derivative, found use across Britain with examples being supplied to railways in London and Glasgow. The Planet class proved popular in Europe too with examples being first exported and then built in France. Two were exported to Austria, and the first locomotive to steam in Russia was based on the design. Planet and Samson also crossed the Atlantic with more examples being built in the United States than in Europe.

A working replica of the revolutionary design was built in Manchester in 1992: the first mainline express passenger steam locomotive to be built in Britain since the 1960s.

This book outlines the technical design of the Planet and Samson locomotive, and charts the careers of the class members at home and abroad.

"This book will appeal to anyone interested in early steam locomotives, whether on British railways or North American railroads."

'Rail Road' biannual journal of the Railroad & Locomotive Historical Society - Spring/Summer 2024

"Overall an excellent book on highly influential locomotives that is a credit to author and publishers".

Model Engineer - 6 October 2023

"This is a definitive work and an essential source for anyone interested in the mechanical side of the early modern railway."

Railway and Canal Historical Society

"Yet, many people don’t know much about them – or their more powerful ‘Samson’ successors– apart from the working replica completed in the early 1990s by the Friends of the Manchester Museum of Science & Technology. This book is the chance to fill your knowledge gap."

Steam World - August 2023

About Anthony Dawson

Born in Wakefield in 1980, ANTHONY DAWSON gained a degree in archaeology from the University of Bradford before going on to be a Post Graduate Research Student at the University of Leeds, attaining an MA in History by Research. As well as being a lecturer in History and Archaeology at Salford City College, Anthony worked for the Museum of the Manchester. A member of the Crimean War Research Society, he is also the author of a number of books, including French Infantry of the Crimean War.

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