Port Talbot Railway 0-8-2T (Cooke)

The Port Talbot Railway 0-8-2T (Cooke) class were tank locomotives designed and built by the Cooke Locomotive and Machine Works of Paterson, New Jersey, USA, for the Port Talbot Railway and Docks Company in South Wales. These locomotives were specifically designed for heavy shunting and mineral traffic duties within the railway's extensive network around Port Talbot. The 0-8-2T wheel arrangement indicates a locomotive with no leading wheels, eight coupled driving wheels, and two trailing wheels. This configuration provided significant tractive effort for hauling heavy trains and also allowed for relatively good stability on uneven track often found in industrial areas. The "T" in the designation signifies that these were tank locomotives, carrying their water and fuel supply on board, eliminating the need for a separate tender and enhancing maneuverability for shunting operations. The locomotives were known for their robust construction and ability to handle the demanding workloads of the Port Talbot steelworks and associated industrial traffic. They played a vital role in the transportation of coal and iron ore, crucial components in the steelmaking process. The exact number of locomotives built and the specific years of their construction may vary depending on source material, but they represent a significant contribution to the railway's motive power fleet during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.