The first Locomotives of the Great Western Railway (GWR) were specified by Isambard Kingdom Brunel but Daniel Gooch was soon appointed as the railway's Locomotive Superintendent. He designed several different broad gauge types for the growing railway, such as the Firefly and later Iron Duke Class 2-2-2s. In 1864 Gooch was succeeded by Joseph Armstrong who brought his standard gauge experience to the workshops at Swindon. To replace some of the earlier locomotives, he put broad gauge wheels on his standard gauge locomotives and from this time on all locomotives were given numbers, including the broad gauge ones that had previously carried just names.
Joseph Armstrong's early death in 1877 meant that the next phase of motive power design was the responsibility of William Dean, his assistant and successor. Dean went on to develop express 4-4-0 types, but the familiar 4-6-0s of later years were initially introduced by the next engineer, George Jackson Churchward. He was also responsible for the introduction of self-propelled Steam Rail Motors for suburban and light branch line passenger trains. Next came Charles Collett in 1921; he standardised the many types of locomotives then in service, producing the iconic Castle and Kings. He also introduced diesel power in the form of streamlined rail cars in 1934. The final engineer was Frederick Hawksworth who took control in 1941 and produced GWR-design locomotives until after nationalisation in 1948.
The GWR expanded rapidly from 1854 by amalgamating with other railways. In 1876 most of the remaining broad gauge companies became a part of the GWR. The Railways Act 1921 finally brought most of the remaining independent companies in the area under its control. Many early locomotives were replaced by standard GWR designs, but many others were rebuilt using standardised components.
For most of the period of its existence, the GWR painted its locomotives a middle chrome green. They initially had Indian red frames but this was later changed to black. Name and numberplates were generally of polished brass with a black background, and chimneys often had copper rims or "caps".[1]
The GWR's first locomotives were specified by Isambard Kingdom Brunel but did not prove too successful. In order to meet his demands some novel ideas were tried such as the Haigh Foundry's geared locomotives and TE Harrison's Hurricane and Thunderer which had the engine and boiler on separate chassis.
More conventional locomotives were soon ordered by Daniel Gooch when he was appointed as the railway's Locomotive Superintendent.[2] Following on from the Star Class that he ordered from Robert Stephenson and Company, he designed a series of standardised and successful locomotive types starting with the Firefly and Sun classes of passenger locomotives, and the Leo and Hercules classes for goods trains. By 1846, Swindon Works had been established and was able to build its own locomotives. The most familiar from this period are the Iron Duke Class 2-2-2s with their 82NaN2 driving wheels, a type that operated express trains right up to the end of the broad gauge in 1892.[3] Gooch further developed the broad gauge locomotive fleet, producing the first bogie tank design for the steep and curving South Devon lines in 1849, and condensing locomotives for the Metropolitan Railway in 1862. He produced over 100 Ariadne class goods locomotives to a standardised design at a time when most classes ran to only ten or twenty locomotives, and components he designed were often interchangeable between different classes.[2]
With the acquisition of the northern standard gauge lines in 1854 came 56 locomotives, a second workshop at Wolverhampton, and Joseph Armstrong. Wolverhampton was responsible for maintaining standard gauge locomotives for many years, although Daniel Gooch did design some new locomotives that were built at Swindon and carried to Wolverhampton on special trucks. The first, the 57 class were 0-6-0 goods locomotives built in 1855. At the same time some 69 class passenger locomotives were built by Beyer, Peacock and Company in Manchester so were able to be transported on their own wheels. By the time that Armstrong replaced Gooch at Swindon in 1864 many more locomotives had been acquired with the Birkenhead and West Midland Railways.Broad gauge
Standard gauge
See main article: Daniel Gooch standard gauge locomotives.
In 1864 Gooch was succeeded by Joseph Armstrong who brought his standard gauge experience gained in the Northern Division to bear on the larger broad gauge locomotives. He designed the Hawthorn class of 2-4-0 and, in 1870, started the renewal of the Iron Dukes with more powerful boilers. The conversion of many broad gauge lines to standard gauge meant that this was a period of consolidation but in 1876 the amalgamation of the Bristol and Exeter and South Devon Railway locomotives saw 180 locomotives added to the GWR's fleet. To replace some of these earlier locomotives, Armstrong put broad gauge wheels on his standard gauge 1076 Class and from this time on GWR locomotives were given numbers rather than the names that had been carried by broad gauge locomotives up till then.[3]
Armstrong developed the 2-2-2 as his preferred express locomotive, producing 30 of the Sir Daniel class from 1866 and 21 of the Queen class from 1873. Smaller 2-4-0s, such as the 439 class of 1868, worked slower passenger trains while 0-6-0s, such as the 388 class, continued to operate freight trains. Tank locomotives were constructed to operate lighter trains and branch lines, the most familiar of which were the 1076 "Buffalo" class 0-6-0STs (later 0-6-0PT), and the 455 "Metro" class 2-4-0Ts.[4]
Broad gauge
Standard gauge
After his brother was promoted to Swindon, George Armstrong took his place at Wolverhampton and for the next 33 years continued to repair, rebuild and build standard-gauge locomotives in a spirit of independence from Swindon, just as Joseph had done during his own ten years at Wolverhampton. Most of the new locomotives built there were tank engines, some of them very long-lived; a few even survived the Second World War.
Joseph Armstrong's early death in 1877 meant that the final phase of broad gauge motive power was the responsibility of William Dean. He continued the Iron Duke renewal programme and added more convertibles, including some of Armstrong's 388 class goods locomotives. He also developed some elegant express locomotives such as the 3031 Class singles.[3] Following the abandonment of the broad gauge on 20 May 1892 the majority of the remaining 195 broad gauge locomotives were taken to "the dump" at Swindon. Most of the convertible locomotives were altered to run on the standard gauge over the following 18 months while the remainder were cut up.[2]
Dean had worked under Armstrong on and off for 22 years before becoming his successor and he perpetuated his locomotive policy for some time. He later produced standardised 0-6-0 and 2-6-0 goods locomotives (the 2301 and 2600 "Aberdare" classes), and 0-6-0STs of various sizes (the 2021 and 2721 classes). For express trains he initially developed the 2-2-2 type, culminating with the elegant 3031 class. He later moved on to the 4-4-0 type, producing the Badminton and Atbara classes with 802NaN2 wheels, and the Duke and Bulldog classes with 682NaN2 wheels. For branch line and suburban trains he built 31 3600 class 2-4-2T locomotives.[4]
Broad gauge
Standard gaugeThe majority of saddle tanks were rebuilt with pannier tanks from 1902 onwards.
George Jackson Churchward started his railway career in the South Devon Railway locomotive workshops at Newton Abbot. After that company became a part of the GWR in 1876 he was sent to Swindon and worked under Armstrong and Dean.[5] After his appointment as Locomotive Superintendent in 1902 he developed a series of standard locomotive types with flat-topped Belpaire fireboxes, tapered boilers, long smokeboxes, boiler top feeds, long-lap long-travel valve gear, and many standardised parts such as wheels, cylinders and connecting rods.[6]
For express passenger trains he quickly turned out the City class of 4-4-0s, the first taking to the rails in 1903. The following year one of these, 3717 City of Truro, was reputedly the first locomotive in the world to exceed 100 mph.[7] A larger 4-4-0 was produced in 1904 in the form of the County class, but further increases in size demanded more wheels.[6]
Experiments had already been made for a 4-6-0 design while Dean was still in charge, and these continued under Churchward; the first 4-6-0, number 100, appeared in 1902 as the initial prototype of what became the Saint class. One locomotive was converted to a 4-4-2 for direct trials against French designs that he tried on the GWR in 1903. These experiments moved the GWR towards using four cylinders and they even tried a 4-6-2, 111 The Great Bear which was the first locomotive of this type in the United Kingdom. Production 4-6-0s appeared in 1905 as the two-cylinder Saint class, and were followed in 1906 by the four-cylinder Star class. A freight version of the Saint, the 2-8-0 2800 class was introduced in 1903. For lighter trains a series of 2-6-0s were turned out in 1911, the 4300 class, which were to become the most numerous GWR tender locomotives. In 1919 this design was enlarged to become the 4700 class 2-8-0s.[6]
Churchward's standardisation aims meant that a number of tank locomotives were produced that were based on these tender locomotives. The 2221 class of 1905 were a 4-4-2 tank version of the County class, indeed they were known as the "County Tanks". These were then developed into a 2-6-2T design, being produced as the 3100 class in 1903 and the 3150 class three years later. Smaller 2-6-2Ts, the 4400 class were introduced in 1904 and were succeeded by the slightly larger 4500 class in 1906. Two very different freight tank locomotive types appeared in 1910. The 4200 class was a tank version of the 2800 class, but a demand for small locomotives for working on dock and branch lines was met by the 1361 class, a new design based on the old Cornwall Minerals Railway 0-6-0ST design but using as many of Churchward's standard parts as possible.[8]
Other innovations during Churchward's office included the introduction of self-propelled Steam Rail Motors for suburban and light branch line passenger trains.[9] From 1915 his post was renamed that of the 'Chief Mechanical Engineer'.[10] He also remodelled Swindon Works, building the 1.4acres boiler-erecting shops and the first static locomotive-testing plant in the United Kingdom.
Charles Collett became the Chief Mechanical Engineer in 1921. Almost straight away he had to take on all the locomotives of myriad types from the railways absorbed in 1922 and 1923. Many of these were 'Swindonised', that is they were rebuilt using standard GWR parts. He also set about designing many new types to replace the older examples. Many of the most familiar GWR tank locomotive classes were designed during this period: the 1400 class for small branch lines and auto trains; the 4575 class (a development of the 4500 class with larger tanks) and the large 6100 class 2-6-2Ts; the massive 7200 class of rebuilt 4200 class 2-8-2Ts; and the iconic pannier tanks of the 5700 class, the first of which appeared in 1929.
Collett further developed the 4-6-0 type as the ideal GWR express locomotive, extending the Stars into Castles in 1923, and then producing the largest of them all, the four-cylinder King class, in 1927. He also produced slightly smaller types for mixed traffic (either passenger and goods) duties, the Hall class in 1928, the Grange class in 1934, and the Manor class in 1934. All these continued to carry appropriate names. For lighter goods services he produced his own standard 0-6-0, the 2251 class.
It was under Collett's control that diesel power first appeared on the GWR. He introduced the first streamlined rail cars in 1934 and by 1942 38 had been built, although the latter ones had more angular styling. Some were configured for long distance express services with buffet counters, others for branch line or parcels work, and some were designed as two-car sets.
Frederick Hawksworth only became the Chief Mechanical Engineer in 1941 and the Second World War meant that his new designs were few. He updated Collett's Hall class to produce the GWR 6959 Class, known as "Modified Halls", and produced the last GWR 2-cylinder 4-6-0s, the County class 4-6-0, which ended a tradition that had begun with the Saint class 42 years before. Their boilers were based on those of the LMS Stanier Class 8F 2-8-0, a number of which had been built at Swindon during the War. Other designs included three designs of 0-6-0PT: the taper boilered 9400 class; the 1500 class with outside Walschaerts valve gear and no running plate designed for pilot work around large stations; and the very light 1600 Class.
Bristol and Exeter Railway locomotives were absorbed on 1 January 1876. The broad gauge locomotives were numbered in the series 2001 to 2095;[11] the standard gauge locomotives were numbered in the series 1353 – 1382.
Jointly vested with the Midland Railway from 1 September 1890.Opened on 6 March 1865, the line was worked by the contractor Waring Bros until 1869 when the company was left to make its own arrangements. Two locomotives were owned by the company but never taken into stock of either the Great Western Railway or the Midland Railway. They were 0-4-2Ts which appear to have been rebuilt from ex-London and North Western Railway tender engines.
The Carmarthen and Cardigan Railway was amalgamated with the Great Western Railway on 1 July 1881.Three locomotives (+ 1)
Nine locomotives were transferred from the Cornwall Mineral Railway on 1 July 1877, and one further one on 1 July 1896.
This railway was of 1' 11½" gauge and was taken over on 13 April 1883. It was later converted to standard gauge as the extension of the new Bala & Festiniog Railway after purchase by the Great Western Railway.Two locomotives were taken over, both being built by Manning Wardle.
This concern was in liquidation when the Great Western Railway purchased an engine in July 1904.
Three locomotives were acquired on 1 January 1909, they were used on both the Caradon and the Liskeard and Looe Railways. GWR experimental 4-4-0ST number 13 was also regularly used on the line, at first hired to the Liskeard and Caradon, but it continued to be used after the Great Western Railway took over operations.
The 21 locomotives acquired in 1873 were renumbered into the 894 – 914 series.
12 locomotives were acquired in 1873, including four which had originated on the West Cornwall Railway. They were renumbered in the 915 – 926 series.
Seven locomotives were acquired by the Great Western Railway
53 (+1) locomotives were taken over in 1875. They were renumbered into the 1301 – 1352 series.Worked from 1 August 1875, amalgamated 1 August 1880.
Taken over July 1898.3 locomotives (all 0-6-0STs).
8 locomotives acquired on 1 July 1896.
(NB ?? Re number 1361 – An extant photo exists in the SLS Stanford Jacobs Collection showing 1361 to be Pembroke.)
The railway was vested jointly between the Great Western Railway and the Midland Railway on 1 July 1894 .Seven locomotives were taken over on 1 October 1895.
The 85 broad gauge locomotives added to the Great Western Railway fleet on 1 February 1876 included not just the South Devon Railway locomotives but also the 19 owned by the Cornwall Railway and 8 from the West Cornwall Railway, which had all operated in a common pool since 1866. They were numbered in the 2096 – 2180 series but, generally, also retained their names.[11]
Vested with the Great Western Railway 1 January 1883.Two broad gauge engines: Queen and Raven. The former was withdrawn from stock on the same day, the latter was an ex-South Devon Railway locomotive and was taken back into GWR stock.
The 19 broad gauge locomotives acquired in 1866 retained their original numbers; the six standard gauge locomotives were renumbered into the 413 – 418 series.
Opened on 15 August 1872 and is believed to have been worked with a locomotive on hire from the Great Western Railway.The line was vested into the Great Western Railway on 1 July 1883.Two locomotives were taken over.
There were three locomotives all standard gauge and were numbered 1385-1387, being taken over 1 September 1886.
The eight West Cornwall Railway broad gauge locomotives were operated in a common pool with the South Devon Railway locomotives[11] and are detailed in that section, above. At the same time, 1 February 1876, another eight standard gauge locomotives were also acquired. These were renumbered 1384 – 1391.
In 1919, the GWR purchased 20 ROD 2-8-0 locomotives from the Railway Operating Division. These were based on Robinson's GCR Class 8K. Another 84 locomotives of the same class were hired in 1919–20 but were returned in 1921–22. In 1925, a further 80 locomotives of the same class were purchased, of which nineteen were among those previously hired.
Eighteen companies were merged between 1 January 1922 and 1 January 1924 under the provisions of the Railways Act 1921, bringing 925 locomotives.[12]
39 locomotives acquired on 1 January 1922.
| Manufacturer | Type | Quantity | A(N&SW)D&R Nos. | GWR Nos. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 29–31 | 190–193 | |||
| 1 | 26 | 663 | |||
| 2 | 12–13 | 664–665 | |||
| 2 | 34–35 | 666–667 | |||
| 3 | 15, 20–21 | 668–670 | Double-framed | ||
| 2 | 16–17 | 671–672 | |||
| 5 | 1–5 | 674–678 | |||
| 2 | 18–19 | 679–680 | |||
| GWR | 1 | 33 | 993 | ex-GWR 850 Class | |
| 1 | 25 | 1199 | ex-Mersey Railway class III | ||
| 6 | 6–11 | 1207–1209, 1211, 1201, 1204 | ex-Mersey Railway class II | ||
| 2 | 36–37 | 1205–1206 | |||
| 2 | Trojan and Alexandra | ||||
| 3 | 22–24 | 1344–1346 | ex-Mersey Railway class I | ||
| 1 | 32 | 1356 | ex-Severn and Wye Railway | ||
| 1 | 14 | 1426 | ex-GWR 517 Class | ||
| GWR | 2 | 27–28 | 1679, 1683 | ex-GWR 1661 Class | |
148 Barry Railway locomotives acquired on 1 January 1922 and given random numbers in several series.
| Class | Type | Quantity | Barry Nos. | GWR Nos. | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 1–5 | 699–700, 702–703, 706 | Three of this class were sold on as industrial locos during the Grouping. GWR 699 was sold to the Coltness Iron Co Ltd in June 1932. It was then transferred to the Warwickshire Coal Company in 1933 for use at the Coventry Colliery, where it worked until 1962. GWR 700 was sold to Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds in Dowlais in October 1927 and scrapped in August 1950. GWR 703 was sold to the Ocean Coal Co Ltd in August 1932 for use at the Lady Windsor Colliery in Ynysbwl; it was scrapped in 1956. | |||
| 25 | 6–20, 23–32 | 198–201, 203–204, 206–214, 223–232 | ||||
| 42 | 38–46, 54–63, 73–78, 105–116, 122–126 | 233–235, 238, 240–277 | ||||
| 2 | 21–22 | 1322–1323 | ||||
| 4 | 35–36, 92–93 | 1387–1390 | ||||
| 5 | 33–34, 50–51, 53 | 781–785 | ||||
| 28 | 37, 47–49, 52, 64–65, 70–72, 99–104, 127–138 | 708, 710–726, 807, 729, 742, 747, 74, 776–780 | ||||
| 4 | 66–69 | 2–4, 9 | ||||
| 7 | 79–85 | 1380–1386 | ||||
| 11 | 86–91, 94–98 | 1311–1321 | ||||
| 6 | 117–121 | 193–197 | ||||
| 10 | 139–148 | 1347–1355, 1357 |
47 locomotives acquired on 1 July 1922.
| Manufacturer | Type | Quantity | B&MR Nos. | GWR Nos. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 36–43, 45–50 | 11, 21, 332, 504, 698, 888, 1084, 1113, 1372–1375, 1668, 1670 | 36/45 Class, similar to Rhymney Railway R class and P class respectively | ||
| 1 | 44 | 1391 | ex-LSWR 46 class No. 0376 | ||
| 5 | 9–12, 25 | 1402, 1412, 1460, 1452, 1458 | |||
| 4 | 19–20, 23, 26 | 1674, 1677, 1692, 1833 | |||
| GWR | 3 | 32–34 | 1685, 1693, 1694 | ex-GWR 1661 Class | |
| 1 | 35 | 2161 | |||
| 2 | 22, 24 | 2169–2170 | |||
| 3 | 27–29 | 2171–2173 | |||
| 6 | 1–4, 13–14 | 2177–2180, 2185–2186 | |||
| 6 | 5–8, 15–16 | 2181–2184, 2186–2188 | |||
| 2 | 17–18 | 2190–2191 | |||
15 locomotives acquired on 1 July 1922.
| Manufacturer | Type | Quantity | BP&GV Nos. | GWR Nos. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 2, 9, 11–15 | 2162–2168 | |||
| 2 | 2194–2195 | Named Kidwelly, Cwm Mawr, | |||
| 2 | 6–7 | 2196, 2176 | Named Gwendraeth, and Pembury | ||
| 1 | 1 | 2192 | Named Ashburnham | ||
| 1 | 3 | 2193 | Named Burry Port | ||
| 2 | 8, 10 | 2197, 2198 | No. 8 named Pioneer | ||
94 standard gauge locomotives acquired on 1 January 1922 given random numbers in various series..
| Manufacturer | Type | Quantity | CAM Nos. | GWR Nos. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 3, 5, 7–9, 23 | 10, 11, 15, 19–21 | Aston | ||
| 1 | 24 | 819 | ex-Lambourn Valley Railway, withdrawn 1946 | ||
| 0-6-0T | 2 | 26, 35 | 820–821 | ex-Lambourn Valley Railway, withdrawn 1930/32 | |
| 1 | 30 | 824 | ex-Mawddwy Railway | ||
| 5 | 887–892 | Jones, built 1903 | |||
| 5 | 864, 892–896 | Jones, built 1908 | |||
| 5 | 844, 849, 855, 873, 887 | Jones, built 1918–19 | |||
| 5 | 73–77 | 875–876, 878–880 | Aston, built 1894 | ||
| 3 | 78–80 | 881–883 | Aston, built 1895 | ||
| 2 | 87–88 | 884–885 | Aston, built 1899 | ||
| 9 | 4, 14, 40, 45–46, 48–49, 51–52 | 897–901, 908–911 | 22 built | ||
| 4 | 94, 96–98 | 1014, 1029, 1035, 1043 | 5 built | ||
| CAM, Oswestry Works | 2 | 11, 19 | 1068, 1082 | ||
| 17 | 81, 32, 47, 61–72, 83–84 | 1084–1086, 1088, 1090–1091, 1093, 1096–1097, 1100–1107 | 1106 renumbered 1110 in 1926 | ||
| 2 | 85–86 | 1108–1109 | 1106 renumbered 1110 in 1926 | ||
| 6 | 50, 60, 16–17, 20–21 | 1110, 1112, 1115–1118 | |||
| 6 | 34, 36, 2, 12, 33, 37 | 1113–1114, 1129–1132 | ex-Metropolitan Railway A Class; 34 & 36 had been rebuilt as 4-4-0 in 1915–16 | ||
| 5 | 44, 56–59 | 1190–1192, 1196–1197 | |||
| 2 | 10, 1 | 1328–1329 | ex-GWR 2-4-0 | ||
| 4 | 41, 43, 53, 55 | 1330–1333 | |||
| 2 | 82, 95 | 3521, 3546 | ex-GWR 3521 Class | ||
Three gauge locomotives acquired with the Cambrian Railways on 1 January 1922, also two new locomotives, similar to the earlier 2-6-2Ts, built in 1923.
| Manufacturer | Type | Quantity | CAM Nos. | GWR Nos. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | VoR 1 & 2 | 1212–1213 | 1213 "renewed" in 1924 | ||
| 1 | VoR 3 | 1198 | |||
| 2 | — | 7–8 | built 1923; named Owain Glyndŵr and Llywelyn | ||
| 1 | — | 1213 | built 1924; renumbered 9 in 1949; named Prince of Wales | ||
Two gauge 0-6-0T locomotives acquired with the Cambrian Railways on 1 January 1922.
36 locomotives acquired on 1 January 1922.
| Manufacturer | Type | Quantity | CR Nos. | GWR Nos. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 20, 22, 33–35, 1, 9–10, 28, 11, 21, 27, 26 | 151–163 | |||
| 4 | 14, 16, 17, 32 | 681–684 | |||
| 8 | 7, 3, 4, 8, 13, 30, 29 | 685–688, 690–692 | |||
| 1 | 2 | 693 | |||
| 4 | 12, 15, 18, 19 | 694–697 | |||
| Cardiff Docks | 1 | 24 | 698 | ||
| 1 | 36 | 1327 | ex-LNWR 4ft 6in Tank Class | ||
| 2 | 5, 6 | ||||
| 3 | 31, 23, 25 | 1667, 1676, 1689 | ex-GWR 1661 Class | ||
Two locomotives were acquired on 1 January 1922
2 0-6-0ST locomotives were acquired on 1 January 1923. One was given a GWR number, but the second (Margaret) was sold without being allocated a GWR number.
| Manufacturer | Type | Quantity | GVR No. | GWR No. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Velindre | 26 | |||
| 1 | 2 Margaret | — | Sold to Kidwelly Timplate Company in 1923 | ||
8 locomotives acquired on 1 January 1923.
| Manufacturer | Type | Quantity | LMMR Name | GWR No. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Waddell | 312 | Sold in 1934 | ||
| 2 | Tarndune | 339 | |||
| 1 | Hilda | 359 | |||
| 1 | Victory | 704 | |||
| 1 | Ravelston | 803 | |||
| 1 | Merkland | 937 | |||
| 1 | Great Mountain | 944 | Sold in 1928 | ||
| 1 | Seymour Clarke | 969 | |||
The M&SWJR's Locomotive Superintendent from 1903 to 1923 was James Tyrell.
29 locomotives acquired on 1 January 1923.
| Manufacturer | Type | Quantity | M&SWJ Nos. | GWR Nos. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 | 23 | |||
| 1 | 16 | 24 | |||
| 2 | 17–18 | 25, 27 | |||
| 2 | 13–14 | 825, 843 | |||
| 10 | 19–28 | 1003–1011, 1013 | |||
| 9 | 1–8, 31 | 1119–1126, 1128 | |||
| 1 | 9 | 1127 | |||
| 3 | 1334–1336 | ||||
15 locomotives acquired on 1 July 1922.
| Manufacturer | Type | Quantity | N&BR Nos. | GWR Nos. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1114, 1117, 1277 | similar to Rhymney M class | |||
| 2 | 9, 10 | 1327, 1371 | ex-Port Talbot Railway 5 and 6 | ||
| 1 | 5 | 1392 | |||
| 1 | 6 | 1400 | |||
| 2 | 14–15 | 1563, 1591 | ex-GWR 1076 Class | ||
| 2 | 16, 3 | 1715, 1882 | ex-GWR 1701 Class | ||
| 2 | 7–8 | 2174–2175 | |||
| 2 | 1–2 | 2189, 2199 | |||
22 locomotives acquired on 1 January 1922.
| Manufacturer | Type | Quantity | PTRD Nos. | GWR Nos. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 183–187 | ||||
| 6 | 22–27 | 808–809, 811–814 | |||
| 2 | 3, 15 | 815, 816 | |||
| 1 | 37 | 1189 | |||
| 1 | 36 | 1326 | rebuilt from 2-4-0T in 1898 | ||
| 3 | 1358–1360 | ||||
| 2 | 1378–1379 | ||||
Powlesland and Mason were contractors at Swansea Docks, and their 9 locomotives were acquired on 1 January 1924.
| Manufacturer | Type | Quantity | P&M Nos. | GWR Nos. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3, 4, 12 | Renumbered 1150–1152 between 1949 and 1951 | |||
| 2 | 5 and 6 | ||||
| 1 | 7 | ex-GWR 1330, South Devon Railway Raven class | |||
| 1 | 11 | Renumbered 1153 in 1949 | |||
| 1 | 14 | ||||
| 1 | Dorothy | ||||
37 locomotives acquired on 1 January 1922.
| Manufacturer | Type | Quantity | R&SB No. | GWR No. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 25–28 | 164–167 | |||
| 12 | 8–16, 20–22 | 168–179 | |||
| 2 | 23, 24 | 180, 182 | ex-Port Talbot Railway | ||
| 1 | 4 | 181 | |||
| GWR | 4 | 32, 34, 31, 2 | 728, 1167, 1652, 1660 | ex-GWR 1076 Class | |
| 5 | 1, 3, 5–7 | 789, 801, 802, 805, 806 | |||
| 3 | 17–19 | 1307, 1309, 1310 | |||
| GWR | 2 | 36, 35 | 1710, 1756 | ex-GWR 1701 Class | |
| 2 | 37, 30 | 1825, 1834 | ex-GWR 1813 Class | ||
| 1 | 33 | 2756 | ex-GWR 2721 Class | ||
123 locomotives acquired on 1 January 1922 given numbers in random series.
| Class | Type | Quantity | RR Nos. | GWR Nos. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 10–15, 18–22, 115–119 | 52–62, 71–75 | |||
| 8 | 23–30 | 63–70 | |||
| 4 | 35–38 | 78–81 | |||
| 2 | 120–121 | 661–662 | |||
| 11 | 48–53, 033, 036 | 612, 614, 618–619, 622, 625, 629, 631, 657, 659–660 | |||
| 46 | 7–9, 57–61, 67–96, 98–105 | 84–91, 97–101, 105–110, 112–115, 117–119, 122, 127, 129–131, 133–146, 148 | |||
| 2 | 65–66 | 1324–1325 | |||
| 2 | 63–64 | 159–150 | |||
| 6 | 16, 106–110 | 33, 47–51 | |||
| 2 | 4, 6 | 82–83 | |||
| 2 | 5, 31 | 76–77 | |||
| 5 | 1–3, 17, 97 | 30–32, 34, 46 | |||
| 10 | 39–47, 62 | 35–44 | |||
| 4 | 111–114 | 608–611 | renumbered 93–96 between 1947 and 1949 | ||
| 3 | 32–34 | 604–606 | renumbered 90–92 between 1947 and 1948 | ||
5 locomotives acquired on 1 January 1923.
| Manufacturer | Type | Quantity | SWMR No. | GWR No. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 6, 7 | 817, 818 | ex-GWR 1317 and 1324 – South Devon Railway Buffalo class | ||
| GWR | 3 | 5, 3, 1 | 1546, 1806, 1811 | ex-GWR 645 Class | |
14 locomotives acquired on 1 July 1923.
| Manufacturer | Type | Quantity | SHT Nos. | GWR Nos. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | ||||
| 1 | 5 | Renumbered 1140 in 1948 | |||
| 4 | 7–10 | ||||
| 3 | 11, 12, 18 | renumbered 1141, 1143, 1145 between 1948 and 1950 | |||
| 3 | 15–17 | 1085, 1086, 937 | 1085 & 1086 renumbered 1146 & 1147 in 1949 | ||
| 1 | 14 | renumbered 1142 in 1948 | |||
| 1 | 13 | renumbered 1144 in 1948 | |||
The Taff Vale Railway and its 275 locomotives were acquired on 1 January 1922.
| Class | Type | Quantity | TVR Nos. | GWR Nos. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58 | 7, 10–12, 20, 45, 75, 80, 90–91, 122–125, 127–130, 132–136, 138–140, 144, 149, 154, 156–160, 162, 164, 165, 400–416, 3, 42, 52, 120 | 335, 337, 343–349, 351–352, 356–357, 360–362, 364–368, 370–391, 393–394, 397–399, 401–404, 406, 408, 438–441 | 401–404, 406, 408, 438–441 renumbered 303–309, 312, 316, 322 between 1947 and 1950 | ||
| 6 | 170–175 | 1301–1303, 1305, 1308, 1304 | |||
| 8 | 250, 270 | 797, 798 | |||
| 2 | 264, 265 | 795, 796 | |||
| 3 | 141–143 | 792–794 | renumbered 193–195 in 1948/9. Built for the Pwllyrhebog Incline | ||
| 3 | 285–287 | 1133, 1184, 999 | Equipped for auto-train working | ||
| K: 33 L: 9 | 219, 253, 259, 261, 281, 284, 288, 298, 337, 210, 217, 220, 235–236, 239, 242, 245, 283, 297, 301–302, 304, 313–314, 316, 320, 322, 325, 327–328, 333, 335–336, 339–340, 354, 356–360 | 912–933, 935–936, 938–939, 941–944, 946, —, 948, 968–970, 974, 978, 984, 1000–1002 | |||
| 9 | ? | ? | |||
| 41 | 4–5, 14–15, 51, 54, 71, 86–89, 150, 176–181, 16, 22, 24, 50, 53, 74, 145–148, 151–153, 163, 166–169, 344, 349, 362, 364–365 | 442–445, 462, 466, 478, 481–484, 487–493, 503, 505–508, 511, 513, 515–516, 520, 552, 560, 567, 573, 577–580, 582–586 | |||
| 10 | 106–107, 182–189 | 485–486, 494–496, 498–502 | |||
| 6 | 21, 25–26, 33–34, 190 | 446–448, 452–453, 581 | |||
| 14 | 27–29, 37, 41, 60–65, 70, 73, 78 | 449–451, 454–455, 471–477, 479–480 | |||
| 9 | 31–32, 44, 66, 81–85 | 412–413, 415, 419, 421, 423–426 | |||
| 2 | 18–19 | 410–411 | |||
| 41 | 105, 1–2, 6, 8–9, 17, 35, 38–39, 43, 46, 48–49, 56, 58–59, 67–69, 94–95, 97–98, 101–102, 104, 108–116, 118–119, 121, 13, 36 | 236, 278–295, 420, 296–302, 310–311, 313–315, 317–321, 324, 333, 409, 414 | 420, 300, 310–311, 313, 315, 317–321, 324, 333, 409, 414 renumbered 220, 200, 203–205, 207–211, 215–219 between 1946 and 1950 | ||
| 6 | 99–100, 275, 280, 290–291 | 786–791 | |||
| 1 | 267 | 1342 | |||
| 1 | 266 | 1343 | |||
| 8 | 23, 72, 76–77, 191–194 | 587, 589–591, 593, 595–597 | |||
| 7 | 30, 40, 79, 195–197 | 602, 588, 592, 598–599, 603, 600 | |||
Two narrow gauge locomotives acquired when the Corris Railway was bought from Imperial Tramways in 1929:
Two locomotives were transferred to the Great Western Railway when Weston, Clevedon and Portishead Railway closed in 1940:
On 1 January 1948 all existing GWR locomotives became the property of the new British Railways (BR); unlike other companies stock, all the steam locomotives continued to carry their GWR numbers. BR continued to build GWR designs (the 1000, 1500, 1600, 4073 and 6959 classes in particular) for a while. When the first BR Standard steam locomotives started to arrive, they were often compared unfavourably to ex-GWR locos, and the Western Region decided to take forward experiments with diesel-hydraulic and gas turbine locomotives.
Withdrawal of ex-GWR locomotives took place earlier than for the other 'Big Four' companies as the Western Region took the decision to be the first to end steam traction. A handful of locomotives that had been transferred to other regions did survive for longer however. Ironically, because the Barry scrapyard received large numbers of ex-GWR locomotives, proportionately more survive today in preservation than the locomotives of the other companies.
Most express passenger locomotives carried distinctive names, generally following themes such as kings (the 6000 class), cities (3700 class), counties (3800 class, later the 1000 class), castles (4073 class), and halls (4900 class). This tradition dated back to the first locomotives delivered to the railway, for all broad gauge locomotives initially were identified only by names, numbers first appearing on the standard gauge locomotives acquired with the northern companies that became part of the GWR in 1862.
Several locomotives were honoured with the name Great Western. The first was an Iron Duke class broad gauge locomotive built in 1846, the first locomotive entirely constructed at the company's Swindon locomotive works. This was withdrawn in 1870, but in 1888 a modernised version of the same class was built and given the same name; this was withdrawn just four years later when the broad gauge was taken out of use.[11] A standard gauge 3031 class locomotive, number 3012, was then given the Great Western name. The final GWR locomotive to carry the name was Castle class number 7007, which continued to carry while working for British Railways. The tradition of using this name has continued with British Rail and modern companies up to the present day.[13]
More than 140 Great Western locomotives (including some designed by the GWR but built by British Railways) have been preserved. They are mostly in museums or on heritage railways in the United Kingdom, predominantly in the area formerly served by the GWR. Some locomotives that were absorbed in the 1923 grouping also survive today.
| 2301 | 2516 | Museum of the Great Western Railway | Static Display |
| Class | Number and Name | Based at | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sentinel geared locomotive | 12 (Named Isebrook after leaving GWR) | Buckinghamshire Railway Centre | Operational[15] |
| 1366 | 1369 | South Devon Railway | Operational, boiler ticket expires in 2029[16] |
| 2251 | 3205 | South Devon Railway | Awaiting Overhaul |
| 4800/1400 | 4820/1420 | South Devon Railway | Under Overhaul |
| 4842/1442 | Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life | Static Display | |
| 4850/1450 | Severn Valley Railway | Out of Service | |
| 4866/1466 | Didcot Railway Centre | Under Overhaul | |
| 2884 | 2885 | Tyseley Locomotive Works | Under Overhaul |
| 3802 | Llangollen Railway | Operational, boiler ticket expires 2027 | |
| 3803 | South Devon Railway | In Storage | |
| 3814 | Llangollen Railway | Undergoing restoration to running condition | |
| 3822 | Didcot Railway Centre | Static Display | |
| 3845 | Private site | Awaiting Restoration | |
| 3850 | Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway | Under Overhaul | |
| 3855 | East Lancashire Railway | Undergoing Restoration | |
| 3862 | Northampton & Lamport Railway | Undergoing restoration to running condition | |
| 3200 'Earl' | 3217/9017 Earl of Berkeley | Bluebell Railway | In Storage |
| 4073 'Castle' | 4073 Caerphilly Castle | Museum of the Great Western Railway | Static Display |
| 4079 Pendennis Castle | Didcot Railway Centre | First ran February 2022, enters service April 2022 - boiler ticket expires 2031 | |
| 5029 Nunney Castle | Locomotive Services Limited | Undergoing Overhaul | |
| 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe | Tyseley Locomotive Works | Operational, Mainline Certified, boiler ticket expires in 2031[17] | |
| 5051 Earl Bathurst | Didcot Railway Centre | Static Display | |
| 5080 Defiant | Tyseley Locomotive Works | In Storage | |
| 7027 Thornbury Castle | Great Central Railway | Undergoing Restoration | |
| 7029 Clun Castle | Tyseley Locomotive Works | Operation, Mainline Certified, boiler ticket expires in 2027[18] | |
| 4575 | 4588 | Peak Rail | Under Overhaul |
| 5521 | The Flour Mill | Operational | |
| 5526 | South Devon Railway | Operational, boiler ticket expires 2027 | |
| 5532 | Llangollen Railway | Undergoing Restoration[19] | |
| 5538 | The Flour Mill | Undergoing Restoration | |
| 5539 | Barry Tourist Railway | Undergoing Restoration | |
| 5541 | Dean Forest Railway | Operational, boiler ticket expires 2024 | |
| 5542 | South Devon Railway | Operational, boiler ticket expires 2022 | |
| 5552 | Bodmin and Wenford Railway | Under Overhaul | |
| 5553 | Peak Rail | Operational | |
| 5572 | Didcot Railway Centre | Static Display | |
| 4900 'Hall' | 4920 Dumbleton Hall | Warner Bros. | In Storage |
| 4930 Hagley Hall | Severn Valley Railway | Operational | |
| 4936 Kinlet Hall | Tyseley Locomotive Works | Under Overhaul | |
| 4942 Maindy Hall | Didcot Railway Centre | Rebuilt into GWR 2900 Class 2999 Lady of Legend.Operational | |
| 4953 Pitchford Hall | Epping Ongar Railway | Operational | |
| 4965 Rood Ashton Hall | Vintage Trains | Awaiting Overhaul | |
| 4979 Wootton Hall | Ribble Steam Railway | Undergoing Restoration | |
| 5900 Hinderton Hall | Didcot Railway Centre | Static Display | |
| 5952 Cogan Hall | Tyseley Locomotive Works | Undergoing Restoration | |
| 5967 Bickmarsh Hall | Northampton & Lamport Railway | Undergoing Restoration | |
| 5972 Olton Hall | Warner Bros. Studio Tour London | Static Display | |
| 5101 | 5164 | Barrow Hill Engine Shed | Awaiting Overhaul |
| 5193 | West Somerset Railway | Rebuilt into 2-6-0 tender locomotive.Operational. | |
| 5199 | Llangollen Railway | Operational | |
| 4110 | East Somerset Railway | Undergoing Restoration | |
| 4121 | Tyseley | In Storage | |
| 4141 | Epping Ongar Railway | Awaiting boiler repair | |
| 4144 | Didcot Railway Centre | Operational | |
| 4150 | Severn Valley Railway | Undergoing Restoration | |
| 5205 | 5224 | Peak Rail | In Storage |
| 5227 | Didcot Railway Centre | Scrapyard Condition and dismantled for parts to use on the new-build Churchward 4-4-0 County No.3840 County of Montgomery | |
| 5239 Goliath | Dartmouth Steam Railway | Operational, boiler ticket expires 2029 | |
| 5600 | 5619 | Telford Steam Railway | Operational |
| 5637 | Swindon & Cricklade Railway | Awaiting Overhaul | |
| 5643 | East Lancashire Railway | Operational | |
| 5668 | Kent & East Sussex Railway | Undergoing Restoration | |
| 6619 | Kent & East Sussex Railway | Awaiting Overhaul | |
| 6634 | Peak Rail | Under Restoration | |
| 6686 | Barry Tourist Railway | Under Restoration | |
| 6695 | Swindon & Cricklade Railway | Under Overhaul | |
| 6697 | Didcot Railway Centre | Static Display | |
| 5700 | 3650 | Didcot Railway Centre | Under Overhaul |
| 3738 | Didcot Railway Centre | Static Display | |
| 4612 | Bodmin and Wenford Railway | Operational, boiler ticket expires 2023 | |
| 5764 | Severn Valley Railway | Static Display | |
| 5775 | Keighley and Worth Valley Railway | Static Display | |
| 5786 | South Devon Railway | Operational | |
| 7714 | Severn Valley Railway | Operational | |
| 7715 | Buckinghamshire Railway Centre | Awaiting Repairs | |
| 7752 | Tyseley Locomotive Works | Operational | |
| 7754 | Llangollen Railway | Undergoing Overhaul | |
| 7760 | Tyseley Locomotive Works | Awaiting Overhaul | |
| 9600 | Tyseley Locomotive Works | Awaiting Overhaul | |
| 9629 | Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway | Under Overhaul | |
| 9642 | Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway | Under Overhaul | |
| 9681 | Dean Forest Railway | Under Overhaul | |
| 9682 | Dean Forest Railway | Under Restoration | |
| 6000 'King' | 6000 King George V | Museum of the Great Western Railway | Static Display |
| 6023 King Edward II | Didcot Railway Centre | Awaiting Overhaul | |
| 6024 King Edward I | West Somerset Railway | Under Overhaul | |
| 6100 | 6106 | Didcot Railway Centre | Static Display |
| 6400 | 6412 | South Devon Railway | Operational, boiler ticket expires 2024 |
| 6430 | South Devon Railway | Operational, boiler ticket expires 2025 | |
| 6435 | Bodmin and Wenford Railway | Operational, boiler ticket expires 2022 | |
| 7200 | 7200 | Buckinghamshire Railway Centre | Under Restoration |
| 7202 | Didcot Railway Centre | Under Restoration | |
| 7229 | East Lancashire Railway | Under Restoration | |
| 7800 'Manor' | 7802 Bradley Manor | Severn Valley Railway | Under Overhaul |
| 7808 Cookham Manor | Didcot Railway Centre | Undergoing Overhaul | |
| 7812 Erlestoke Manor | Severn Valley Railway | Under Overhaul | |
| 7819 Hinton Manor | Severn Valley Railway | Static Display | |
| 7820 Dinmore Manor | Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway | Operational, boiler ticket expires 2023 | |
| 7821 Ditcheat Manor | West Somerset Railway | Static Display at Swindon Designer Outlet | |
| 7822 Foxcote Manor | West Somerset Railway | Operational, boiler ticket expires 2026 | |
| 7827 Lydham Manor | Dartmouth Steam Railway | Undergoing Overhaul | |
| 7828 Odney Manor | West Somerset Railway | Operational, boiler ticket expires 2028 |
| Class | Number and Name | Based at | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 | 1501 | Severn Valley Railway | In Storage | |
| 1600 | 1638 | Kent & East Sussex Railway | Operational | |
| 6959 'Modified Hall' | 6960 Raveningham Hall | The Hornby Visitors Centre | Static Display in the One:One Collection, Margate. Awaiting Overhaul | |
| 6984 Owsden Hall | Buckinghamshire Railway Centre | Undergoing Restoration | ||
| 6989 Wightwick Hall | Buckinghamshire Railway Centre | Operational | ||
| 6990 Witherslack Hall | Great Central Railway | Operational, boiler ticket expires 2026 | ||
| 6998 Burton Agnes Hall | Didcot Railway Centre | Static Display | ||
| 7903 Foremarke Hall | Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway | Operational, boiler ticket expires 2026 | ||
| 9400 | 9400 | Museum of the Great Western Railway | Static Display | |
| 9466 | Ecclesbourne Valley Railway | Operational, boiler ticket expires 2026 | ||
| Gas Turbine Locomotive | 18000 | Didcot Railway Centre | Static Display |
Nine pre-grouping locomotives that were absorbed into the GWR in 1923 are known to survive:
Three locomotives of gauge were acquired from the Vale of Rheidol Railway as part of the Cambrian Railways at the grouping, but only one survived to be privatised from British Rail in 1989:
Two more, similar to no. 1213 as rebuilt, were built by the GWR at Swindon in 1923:
These two, together with no. 9, are still running on their original line.[20]
From the gauge Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway, absorbed into the GWR as part of the Cambrian Railways at the grouping:[21]
From the gauge Corris Railway, which was purchased by the GWR in 1930:[22] [23]
The last engine of GWR design built by British Railways was 1600 class No 1669 in May 1955.[24] However, as the railway preservation movement grew, and many types of locomotive were preserved, some people conceived the idea of reconstructing locomotives of classes that had not survived - even in scrapyards - long enough to be preserved. In the early 1970s, the Great Western Society acquired 'Hall' class No 4942 Maindy Hall, in order use it as a basis for reconstructing a 'Saint' class locomotive,[25] the last of which had been scrapped in 1953.[26] More recently, a number of other GWR engine classes have been or are being reconstructed, often taking advantage of the strong standardisation of the Swindon designs to use spare parts from other types.[27] Operational replicas of two broad gauge engines have also been built.
A non-steaming replica of North Star was built by the GWR in 1935 for their centenary.[28] A static replica of Dean single The Queen was created for Madame Tussauds in 1982.
| Class | Wheel arr. | Number and Name | Based at | Status | Refs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2900 'Saint' | 4-6-0 | 2999 Lady of Legend | Didcot Railway Centre | Complete. May also run as 4-4-2 | [29] [30] [31] | |
| 4300 ('Mogul') | 2-6-0 | 9351 | West Somerset Railway | Complete. Conversion from 'Prairie' No. 5193, so has a smaller boiler than standard Moguls. | [32] [33] | |
| 1000 Hawksworth 'County' | 4-6-0 | 1014 County of Glamorgan | Didcot Railway Centre | Under construction | [34] [35] | |
| 3800 Churchward 'County' | 4-4-0 | 3840 County of Montgomery | Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway | Under construction | [36] [37] | |
| 4700 | 2-8-0 | 4709 | Tyseley Locomotive Works | Under construction | [38] [39] | |
| 6800 'Grange' | 4-6-0 | 6880 Betton Grange | Tyseley Locomotive Works | Completed in April 2024 | [40] [41] | |
| 2-2-2 | Fire Fly | Didcot Railway Centre | Complete. Built by the Fire Fly Trust | [42] | ||
| 4-2-2 | Iron Duke | Didcot Railway Centre | Complete. Commissioned by the Science Museum, and built by RESCO (Railways) Ltd from parts of two Hunslet Austerity tank engines. | [43] [44] |