Greater Britain class Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-(2-2)-2 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle, four powered but uncoupled driving wheels on two axles, and two trailing wheels on one axle.

Usage

This very unusual wheel arrangement was used by Francis Webb of the London and North Western Railway between 1885 and 1887 on two unique divided drive compound tank locomotives, No. 687 and No.600. He then produced two tender engine classes each of ten locomotives: the LNWR Webb Greater Britain Class (1892-1894) and the LNWR John Hick Class (1894-1898). The locomotives were never reliable and Webb's successor George Whale withdrew them all within three years of taking up office in 1903.^[1]

References