The easiest way to identify a Garrett boiler or steam engine is to find the works plate, which is usually in a prominent position on the boiler or visible from the footplate. Where the works plate is missing (they did make good souvenirs from engines that were considered to be derelict), a boiler number or cylinder number could provide the answer. Records in our collection that link a boiler number and cylinder number to a particular works number can be consulted. The picture above is of a works plate from wagon 35350. This plate was curved around the chimney inside the cab and could be seen from the ground through the near side door. The wagon had been owned by Len & Wilf Cole of the Central Haulage & Motor Co. Leeds. Coles had removed it and changed the number to 35250, which was the identity of the Garrett they had new in 1929 and owned until 1956.
The boiler number can be generally be found stamped on the boiler shell, either on the backhead above the firehole door, oron a vertical boiler above the firehole door or directly above or below the manhole. Unfortunately, due to the harsh environment in which these boilers worked or have been left outside to deteriorate these numbers have been rendered illegible or even corroded away completely.
With regard to the cylinder number, it is cast on the cylinder in various locations dependent upon the shape of the cylinder and how it is moulded to allow the pattern to be removed from the sand when it was being manufactured. We have found that Garretts practice was to assemble the cylinder, trunk guides, crossheads, pistons and valves prior to fitting them to the boiler and the trunk guides were also stamped with the cylinder number.
Boiler numbers were recorded prior to cylinder numbers, which were introduced in the early 20th century.
The following sheets show typical locations of boiler and cylinder numbers.
The photographs of the No.4 compound tractor were supplied by Mike Lewendon. I am not sure who took the portable engine pictures; they were in my father-in-law's collection. If they are yours I would be pleased to acknowledge you or remove the pictures if you prefer.
