GWR 5400 Class explained

Powertype:Steam
GWR 5400 Class
Designer:Charles Collett
Builder:GWR Swindon Works
Builddate:1930 - 1932, 1935
Totalproduction:25
Ordernumber:Lots 277 (part), 301
Whytetype:0-6-0PT
Driverdiameter:5feet
Wheelbase:14feet
Minimumcurve:
  • 4chain normal
  • 3.5chain slow
Length:Over buffers: 31inchesft1inchesin (ftin)
Width:8feet
Height:12inchesftNaNinchesin (ftin)
Frametype:
  • Type: Inside
  • Length: 26inchesft5inchesin (ftin)
Locoweight:
(46LT) full
Axleload:
(15LT)
Fueltype:Coal
Fuelcap:
(3LT)
Watercap:1100impgal
Cylindercount:two inside
Cylindersize:NaNx
Firearea:16.76square feet
Tubearea:1004.2square feet
Fireboxarea:81.8square feet
Totalsurface:1086square feet
Boiler:GWR Standard No. 21
Pitch:7inchesft0inchesin (ftin)
Diameterinside:Outside diameter: 4inchesft3inchesin (ftin) & 4inchesftNaNinchesin (ftin)
Lengthinside:Barrel: 10inchesft6inchesin (ftin)
Boilerpressure:165psi
Tractiveeffort:14780lbf
Locobrakes:steam
Trainbrakes:vacuum
Trainheating:Steam from locomotive boiler
Safety:ATC
Operator:Great Western RailwayBritish Railways
Fleetnumbers:5400 - 5424
Powerclass:
  • GWR: Ungrouped
  • BR: 1P
Locale:Western Region
Withdrawndate:1956 - 1963
Axleloadclass:GWR: Yellow
Disposition:All scrapped

The Great Western Railway (GWR) 5400 Class was a class of 0-6-0 pannier tank steam locomotive. They were similar in appearance to many other GWR tank engines but smaller than the ubiquitous GWR 5700 Class.

The nominally Collett-designed 5400 Class had 5feet driving wheels for greater top speed with autocoaches, and were all fitted with the required remote control gear for working the push-pull autotrains. They had a modern cab and a larger bunker. They were frequently seen on inner suburban routes from Paddington.

History

The 5400 class was related to the GWR 2021 Class saddle tank, designed by William Dean and built at Wolverhampton railway works. This was a light, compact design with 4inchesftNaNinchesin (ftin) wheels, itself derived from the smaller Armstrong GWR 850 Class dating from 1874.

The prototype was not a new engine, being rebuilt from 2021 Class No. 2062 in 1930. It was given larger wheels, splashers and coal bunker, and the new units from 1931 onwards had the rounded-edge cab as well. This cab style was to be fitted to all subsequent GWR pannier tank designs, including the later derivations of the 5700 Class.

Despite its success, the prototype, No. 5400, had a short life, lasting only two years before being scrapped. It was used as a parts donor for an all-new engine with the same number. 25 locomotives were built and they were numbered 5400–5424.

Table of orders and numbers! Year !! Quantity !! Lot No. !! Locomotive numbers !! Notes
1930–32 20 277 5400–5419 align=left
1935 5 301 5420–5424 align=left

Withdrawal and mileages

Withdrawal from service with BR started in 1957 and was completed in 1963. The last ones in service were No. 5410, No. 5416, and No. 5420.[1]

Withdrawal of 5400s from BR
Year19561957195819591960196119621963
Numbers17353123

le Fleming noted that the mileages of those withdrawn between February 1957 and February 1958 were "from 671,000 to 775,000".

GWR 6400 and 7400 classes

The GWR 6400 Class and 7400 Class that followed were closely related, fundamentally differing only in wheel size – 4inchesftNaNinchesin (ftin) – and, in the case of the 74xx, a higher boiler pressure of 180psi. This produced two general purpose classes with wide route availability. The 6400 was auto-fitted but more suitable for hilly routes than the 5400. The 7400 was not auto-fitted.

See also

Sources

External links

5400 Class
General

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Daniel . John . '5400' tank class details: 5400 - 5424 . The Great Western Archive . 20 November 2020.