The history of the steam locomotive is well documented as are many of the milestones in its development. It is possible, however, that the design of the Garratt locomotive type by Herbert W. Garratt, patented in 1907, may have been one of the most significant steps forward. The design enabled a powerful locomotive to operate with a relatively low axle loading compared with conventional style locomotives. The boiler in effect supplied two engines being on a separate frame mounted on two power bogies. After the locomotive builders, Kitson, turned down his design, it was accepted by the Manchester based firm of Beyer Peacock. They held exclusive rights to the design which then became better known as the Beyer-Garratt type.
The first Beyer-Garratt locomotive was built in 1909 for the Tasmanian Government Railways and is now restored on the Welsh Highland Railway.
