Model of "Firefly" Class Locomotive

Model steam locomotive, 'Firefly'. Great Western Railway 2-2-2 Class standard broad gauge locomotive, probably started in 1840 and presented to Sir Daniel Gooch in 1845. Built by Joseph Clement, prototype built 1842. 1/8 scale.
This superb model was the personal property of Sir Daniel Gooch. It represents a Firefly class locomotive, which was Gooch’s first independent design for the Great Western Railway.
When Gooch was appointed Locomotive Superintendent in 1837, the locomotive stock of the GWR was of poor quality. Gooch developed the very successful Firefly class from a Robert Stephenson design, which formed the basis of all the Great Western Broad Gauge locomotives until the end of the Broad Gauge era in 1892.
Gooch himself commissioned this model from the notable London craftsman John Clement (1779-1844) in about 1840.
The model was purchased for the National Collection with the generous support of the Friends of the National Railway Museum and the National Heritage Memorial Fund.