GWR 4500 Class
| GWR 4500 Class | |
|---|---|
|
Preserved 4566 at Bridgnorth on the Severn Valley Railway | |
| Type and origin | |
| Power type | Steam |
| Designer | Churchward |
| Builder | GWR |
| Build date | 1906 |
| Specifications | |
| Configuration | 2-6-2T |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Driver diameter | 4 ft 7 1⁄2 in (1.410 m) |
| Locomotive weight | 57 long tons (58 t) |
| Fuel type | coal |
| Boiler pressure | 200 psi (1.4 MPa) |
| Cylinders | two outside |
| Cylinder size | 17 in × 24 in (430 mm × 610 mm) |
| Performance figures | |
| Tractive effort | 21,250 lbf (94.5 kN) |
| Career | |
| Class | 4500 |
| Power class | GWR: C; BR: 4MT |
| Axle load class | Yellow |
The Great Western Railway (GWR) 4500 Class or Small Prairie is a class of 2-6-2T steam locomotives.
History
They were designed as small mixed traffic branch locomotives, mainly used on branch lines. The design was based on the earlier 4400 Class, but with larger driving wheels and altered wheel spacing. This gave them extra speed - capable of 60 mph in service.[1] A total of 75 were built; 55 were built in four batches between 1906 and 1915 and a fifth batch of 20 locos was built in 1924, during Collett's tenure at Swindon. The first two batches were originally numbered 2161–2190 but were renumbered 4500–4529 during 1912. The first batch (2161–2180) is significant in that it was the last batch of locos built at Stafford Road Works, Wolverhampton.[2] Of this batch 2168 (as 4507) was the last Wolverhampton-built loco to remain in service with BR, not being withdrawn until 1963. The final two batches built were nos. 4530-4554 in 1913-15 and nos. 4555-4574 in 1924.
The 4575 Class was a later development with larger side tanks.
Preservation
Three of the class still exist, two of them survivors from Woodham Brothers scrapyard in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales. All of them have run in preservation.
4555
4555 was bought in working order from British Railways so has never had to be restored. The loco is currently named 'Warrior' and is awaiting overhaul on the Dartmouth Steam Railway [3]
4561
This locomotive left Woodham Brothers in September 1975. It is currently undergoing overhaul on the West Somerset Railway.[4]
4566
Currently in service on the Severn Valley Railway, this locomotive left Woodham Brothers in August 1970.[5]
See also
References
- ↑ le Fleming, H.M. (February 1962). White, D.E., ed. The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part nine: Standard Two-Cylinder Classes. RCTS. p. J46-J50.
- ↑ Holcroft, H. (1957). Great Western Locomotive Practice 1837–1947. London: Locomotive Publishing. p. 44.
- ↑ "South Devon Railway | Locomotives | Gone but not forgotten | GWR 2-6-2T No 4555".
- ↑ "The Locomotives - WSRA".
- ↑ "SVR - Meet the Loco".
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to GWR 4500 Class. |
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