"Experimental 1"

"Experimental 1" was an early locomotive once owned by Tri-ang Railways.

Biography
When McConnell first arrived on Nerland to haul the fast express train to Glasgow, he met an engine different to any other class of steam locomotive he has ever seen. The locomotive had no name or number but the railway workers referred him as "Experimental 1" and was seen by many as a successful design. Unfortunately, "Experimental 1" was involved in TR's first ever fatal incident as the locomotive reportedly fell off the Wilick Bridge on the Nerlish side after leaving Wilmont. Despite several attempts, the locomotive was unable to be located and as a result, "Experimental 1" was lost forever with McConnell replacing him as the railway's premier express locomotive (as well as being given his number).

Since the incident, many reports of people claiming to see a steam locomotive heading to Wick from Wilmont falling off the bridge came in and spread the legend of a loaned locomotive that never returned home were becoming known, only to be put down as the locomotive described matched that of "Experimental 1", a 4-2-0 built to the Stephenson long boiler practice.

Persona
It's currently not known what kind of personality "Experimental 1" has but according to McConnell, he was rather cocky due to his unique and "superior" status.

Livery
It's believed that "Experimental 1" was painted in a blue livery as opposed to red like McConnell but with the same coloured lining.

Basis
"Experimental 1" appears to be based off LNWR 4-2-0 No. 153, an early express locomotive built by Robert Stephenson & Co. in 1846. Not much is known about this locomotive was based off a design known as a "Great A" and was built to Stephenson's long boiler patent. It's not known when this locomotive was withdrawn but it appears to have been scrapped during the early years of Francis W. Webb's time on the LNWR. Strangely, this locomotive is sometimes written as a "2+2-2-0" due to the split axles at the front as opposed to a single bogie but is also referred to as a 4-2-0.

Filming model
It's currently not known if "Experimental 1" will get a filming model.

Trivia
"Experimental 1" is only a nickname since the engine is never named. It's unknown what his real name was.

Originally, "Experimental 1" was going to be a Rogers-built 2-4-4T but this was changed as an American-built 2-4-4T wouldn't have sit well against an 1850s British railway.