In view of the RSR's striving for higher speeds, it can come as no surprise that Maznicek, like many Continental engineers, decided to try out the Crampton type. These racers, of which just twenty were built, could go like the wind when given their head, regularly achieving 100km/h. Because most of the weight of a Crampton is forward of the large rear driving wheels, these engines carried some seven tons of cast iron ballast under the footplate. The resulting adhesive weight of sixteen tons was quite high for the period and did raise a few eyebrows in the civil engineers' department. Generally, the Cramptons were well-liked by their crews, the large driving wheels keeping piston speeds low and allowing commendably free running. The bell finally tolled for these flyers, as it did for so many others, when the "Allegrettos" arrived on the scene in 1865 and took away the only job they could do well.

In common with other early types, some of the Cramptons carried six-wheeled tenders from the late 1850's.

Text and graphics © Norman Clubb 2012