It remains a tragedy of industrial history that one its earliest and best loved inventions, the steam locomotive, was never developed to reveal its full potential. For most of its last 50 years of its useful life, it was allowed to languish in a technological backwater while more "advanced" technologies took its place, and it ended its days despised as backward and unwanted technology with no place in a modern high-tech world. Its demise may have been all too swift, but it was understandable considering the manner in which the technology was allowed to stagnate while alternative technologies were developed to replace it. It need not necessarily have been so.
It is not easy for dedicated British steam enthusiasts to accept that their favourite locomotive class, be it the Duchesses, the A4s or the Standard Pacifics, did not represent the zenith of steam technology. The sad truth is that whilst such locomotives performed well by the standards of their day, the technology they incorporated was neither state-of-the-art nor even modern even in their heyday. US steam technology was far ahead of the UK In terms of reliability and serviceability, and in terms of performance there was nothing to match the locomotives developed in France by André Chapelon which were far ahead of any UK designs in engineering sophistication and power-to-weight ratio.
Since the demise of steam, a few dedicated engineers have continued where Chapelon left off. Perhaps most notable was the late Ing. L.D Porta, an Argentinean engineer, himself a disciple of Chapelon who died in 2003. Porta has dedicated his life to the development of steam technology and achieved many remarkable successes. A selfless and passionate engineer, he freely passed on the knowledge gained from a lifetime of experience to the current generation of steam locomotive engineers comprising a small but cosmopolitan group including such names as David Wardale, Phil Girdlestone, Shaun McMahon and Roger Waller. This group have (and are), in their turn, continuing to further develop the theory and knowledge of steam technology.
This team of experts has offered its services to design and oversee the construction of a new Class 5 4-6-0 locomotive, based on the dimensional arrangements of the UK "Standard 5" design of the 1950s (see comparative diagrams below). [More details of the Standard Class 5MT can be found on other websites in cluding that of the 73082 Camelot Locomotive Society" at http://www.73082-camelot.com.]
The classification 5AT designates "Class 5 Advanced Technology". Class 5 is in fact a misnomer, since the locomotive will out-perform any Class 8 of the 1950s; indeed the aim is to produce a locomotive that is far advanced from the designs of 50 years ago whilst retaining the basic outline and familiar concepts of those outdated designs. The 5AT will out-perform any steam locomotive that ever ran on British rails; and its reliability and serviceability will compare well with (or prove better than) other forms of modern traction.
Such claims may sound exaggerated and will be doubted by many. However David Wardale's achievement with the creation of his famous "Red Devil" in South Africa (see bottom of page) provides all the evidence needed to demonstrate what can be achieved by simple modifications to a robust but unremarkable 1950s-designed locomotive, and offers convincing proof of what will be achievable with an entirely new design. So too do the locomotive modifications carried out by Ing. Porta in several South American countries, the latest being his 2-8-0 No.1816 in Cuba, details of which can be found on Martyn Bane's website.
The 5AT project aims to capture the knowledge and experience of the small engineering fraternity that is still actively involved in the "steam dream", document it and encapsulate it for future generations to make use of if they will. Perhaps though, the real purpose is to give the steam locomotive one last opportunity to show the world what it had to offer in terms of power and efficiency that was never revealed in its heyday.
Note: David Wardale's book describing his work and his achievements is titled "The Red Devil and Other Tales from the Age of Steam". Copies of the book may still be procurable from:Camden Miniature Steam Services of Barrow Farm, Rode, Frome, Somerset BA11 6PS, England; Tel: (+44) (0)1373 830151; Fax: 44 (0)1373 830516; email: orders@camdenmin.demon.co.uk, however stocks are now very limited and may even be depleted.