BR standard class 3 tank

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

BR standard class 3 2-6-2T
Power type Steam
Designer R. A. Riddles
Builder British Railways
Build date 1952
Total production 45
Configuration 2-6-2T
Gauge 4' 8½"
Driver size 5' 3"
Locomotive weight 73 tons 10 cwt
Fuel type coal
Boiler pressure 200 psi
Cylinders two outside
Cylinder size 17½" x 26"
Tractive effort 21,490 lbf
Class 3MT

The British Railways Standard Class 3 2-6-2T was a class of steam locomotive. 45 engines were built and numbered 82000-44. It was essentially a new engine, based on LMS practice, and having a boiler approximating in size to a GWR "Nº2" boiler (the barrel was shortened by 5 13/16 inches)as fitted to the GWR Large Prairie and 56XX 0-6-2 tank engine. The design work was done at the ex-GWR works at Swindon and it was there that they were built with the 2-6-0 tender engine version of the class.

Contents

[edit] Service

They were based in the Western Region, though some found their way onto the Southern Region. The class had a short life as most of the work that they had been built for soon disappeared with the branch lines and the introduction of DMU services on shorter routes.

The last two Class 3 tanks in service were nos. 82019 and 82029 at Nine Elms but four more survived until after the end of steam. Nos. 82000, 82003, 82031 and 82034 were transferred from North Wales at the end of 1966 to Patricroft shed in Manchester for use on local suburban trains. However, they were not required, and lingered there until the shed's closure in 1968. One of these had run very few miles since its final overhaul, and enquiries were made about saving it, but the price being asked (£1500 - a lot of money in 1968) was too high and they went for scrap at Cashmore's in Newport, South Wales, being broken up as late as October 1968.

[edit] Preservation/Reproduction

Despite their potential usefulness none have survived into preservation. There is a group that wishes to change that and build a replica No. 82045, the next in line if it had been built. Some parts to construct the next member of the class are now at Bridgnorth. The chimney from BR standard class 3 2-6-0 No.77014 the tender engine version of the class as well as other parts are in store in Cheshire. The frames have also been cut and until recently little was known about the new build but it is progressing well on its base at the Severn Valley Railway where after completion it will run. It is thought the spritely performance delivered through their 17 ½" x 26" cylinders coupled with their modest axle load would be ideal for today's heritage movement. The 16 spoke driving wheels from BR standard class 4 2-6-0 No.76080, which was broken up at Barry scrapyard in the early 80s and now stored at Eardington Halt, were to be used for the new build. Unfortunately, further research has shown the BR standard class 3s to have been fitted with 17 spoke wheels of the same diameter so some debate is to ensue whether or not these will be used. There is a link at the bottom of the page to the groups new website where there is more information on the project and the class.

[edit] Modelling

Tri-ang produced an 00 Gauge model of the locomotive in BR Green and BR Black.

[edit] Images

82039 with a train near Bason Bridge.

82010 at Exeter St Davids, 1962.

82026 on station pilot duty at Waterloo station, 1965.

82039 and 82038 under construction in Swindon, 1954.

[edit] References

  • Chancellor, Paul J.; Taylor, R. K. (editor) (December 1997). A Detailed History of British Railways Standard Steam Locomotives: vol 3 Tank Engine Classes. Railway Correspondence & Travel Society (RCTS). ISBN 0-901115-77-0. 
  • The 82045 Locomotive Fund website

[edit] External links


v • d • e
British Railways steam locomotives
Standard classes:
TOPS class:
British Railways steam locomotives · GWR locomotives · LMS locomotives · LNER locomotives · Southern Railway locomotives