Locomotives of the Great Western Railway explained

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.

Livery

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]

Great Western Railway locomotives

Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1835 - 1837)

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.

Daniel Gooch (1837 - 1864)

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.

Joseph Armstrong (Wolverhampton 1854 - 1864, Swindon 1864 - 1877)

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

George Armstrong (Wolverhampton 1864 - 1897)

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.

William Dean (1877 - 1902)

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 (1902 - 1922)

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 (1922-1941)

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 (1941-1949)

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.

Locomotives of amalgamated companies (1854 - 1920)

Bristol and Exeter Railway

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.

Bristol Port Railway and Pier

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.

Carmarthen and Cardigan Railway

The Carmarthen and Cardigan Railway was amalgamated with the Great Western Railway on 1 July 1881.Three locomotives (+ 1)

Cornwall Minerals Railway

Nine locomotives were transferred from the Cornwall Mineral Railway on 1 July 1877, and one further one on 1 July 1896.

Festiniog and Blaenau Railway

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.

Hook Norton Ironstone Partnership

This concern was in liquidation when the Great Western Railway purchased an engine in July 1904.

Liskeard and Caradon Railway

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.

Llanelly Railway

The 21 locomotives acquired in 1873 were renumbered into the 894 – 914 series.

Llynvi and Ogmore Railway

12 locomotives were acquired in 1873, including four which had originated on the West Cornwall Railway. They were renumbered in the 915 – 926 series.

Manchester and Milford Railway

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.

North Pembrokeshire & Fishguard Railway

Taken over July 1898.3 locomotives (all 0-6-0STs).

Pembroke and Tenby Railway

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.)

Severn & Wye and Severn Bridge Railway

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.

South Devon Railway

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]

Torbay and Brixham Railway

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.

Vale of Neath Railway

The 19 broad gauge locomotives acquired in 1866 retained their original numbers; the six standard gauge locomotives were renumbered into the 413 – 418 series.

Watlington and Princes Risborough Railway

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.

Whitland and Cardigan Railway

There were three locomotives all standard gauge and were numbered 1385-1387, being taken over 1 September 1886.

West Cornwall Railway

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.

Locomotives from the ROD (1919 - 1925)

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.

Locomotives of amalgamated companies (1920 - 1924)

Eighteen companies were merged between 1 January 1922 and 1 January 1924 under the provisions of the Railways Act 1921, bringing 925 locomotives.[12]

Alexandra (Newport and South Wales) Docks and Railway

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
234–35 666–667
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

Barry Railway

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

Brecon and Merthyr Railway

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

Burry Port and Gwendraeth Valley Railway

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

Cambrian Railways

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
0-6-0T2 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

Vale of Rheidol Railway

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

Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway

Two gauge 0-6-0T locomotives acquired with the Cambrian Railways on 1 January 1922.

Cardiff Railway

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

Cleobury Mortimer and Ditton Priors Light Railway

Two locomotives were acquired on 1 January 1922

Gwendraeth Valleys Railway

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

Llanelly and Mynydd Mawr Railway

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

Midland and South Western Junction Railway

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
The three Dübs 2-4-0s were the only M&SWJR locomotives to survive into British Railways ownership in 1948. At least one of them was used on the Lambourn Valley Railway, probably because of its light axle load.

Neath and Brecon Railway

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

Port Talbot Railway and Docks Company

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

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

Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway

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

Rhymney Railway

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

South Wales Mineral Railway

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

Swansea Harbour Trust

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

Taff Vale Railway

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

Locomotives of amalgamated companies (1925 - 1947)

Corris Railway

Two narrow gauge locomotives acquired when the Corris Railway was bought from Imperial Tramways in 1929:

Weston, Clevedon and Portishead Railway

Two locomotives were transferred to the Great Western Railway when Weston, Clevedon and Portishead Railway closed in 1940:

Ystalyfera Tin Works

1948 and after

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.

Named locomotives

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]

Preservation

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.

Dean designed locomotives

!Class!Number!Based at!Status
23012516Museum of the Great Western RailwayStatic Display

Churchward designed locomotives

ClassNumber and NameBased atStatus
Steam railmotor93Didcot Railway CentreOriginal body fitted with new-build steam bogie. Boiler ticket expired February 2021[14]
13611363Didcot Railway CentreUnder Overhaul
28002807Gloucestershire Warwickshire RailwayUnder Overhaul
2818Museum of the Great Western RailwayStatic Display
2857Severn Valley RailwayOperational, boiler ticket expires 2021
2859Private site, CongletonUnder Restoration
2874Gloucestershire Warwickshire RailwayScrapyard Condition, Currently awaiting restoration
3700 'City'3717/3440 City of TruroMuseum of the Great Western RailwayStatic Exhibit
4000 'Star'4003 Lode StarNational Railway MuseumStatic Exhibit
42004247Bodmin and Wenford RailwayOperational, boiler ticket expires 2021
4248Museum of the Great Western RailwayStatic Exhibit, deliberately left in dismantled condition
4253Kent and East Sussex RailwayUnder Restoration
4270Gloucestershire Warwickshire RailwayOperational, boiler ticket expires 2024
4277 Hercules*Dartmouth Steam RailwayUnder Overhaul
43005322Didcot Railway CentreStatic Display
7325Severn Valley RailwayIn Storage
45004555East Somerset RailwayOperational
4561West Somerset RailwayUnder Overhaul
4566Severn Valley RailwayStatic Display
* Named in preservation

Collett designed locomotives

ClassNumber and NameBased atStatus
Sentinel geared locomotive12 (Named Isebrook after leaving GWR)Buckinghamshire Railway CentreOperational[15]
13661369South Devon RailwayOperational, boiler ticket expires in 2029[16]
22513205South Devon RailwayAwaiting Overhaul
4800/14004820/1420South Devon RailwayUnder Overhaul
4842/1442Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon LifeStatic Display
4850/1450Severn Valley RailwayOut of Service
4866/1466Didcot Railway CentreUnder Overhaul
28842885Tyseley Locomotive WorksUnder Overhaul
3802Llangollen RailwayOperational, boiler ticket expires 2027
3803South Devon RailwayIn Storage
3814Llangollen RailwayUndergoing restoration to running condition
3822Didcot Railway CentreStatic Display
3845Private siteAwaiting Restoration
3850Gloucestershire Warwickshire RailwayUnder Overhaul
3855East Lancashire RailwayUndergoing Restoration
3862Northampton & Lamport RailwayUndergoing restoration to running condition
3200 'Earl'3217/9017 Earl of BerkeleyBluebell RailwayIn Storage
4073 'Castle'4073 Caerphilly CastleMuseum of the Great Western RailwayStatic Display
4079 Pendennis CastleDidcot Railway CentreFirst ran February 2022, enters service April 2022 - boiler ticket expires 2031
5029 Nunney CastleLocomotive Services LimitedUndergoing Overhaul
5043 Earl of Mount EdgcumbeTyseley Locomotive WorksOperational, Mainline Certified, boiler ticket expires in 2031[17]
5051 Earl BathurstDidcot Railway CentreStatic Display
5080 DefiantTyseley Locomotive WorksIn Storage
7027 Thornbury CastleGreat Central RailwayUndergoing Restoration
7029 Clun CastleTyseley Locomotive WorksOperation, Mainline Certified, boiler ticket expires in 2027[18]
45754588Peak RailUnder Overhaul
5521The Flour MillOperational
5526South Devon RailwayOperational, boiler ticket expires 2027
5532Llangollen RailwayUndergoing Restoration[19]
5538The Flour MillUndergoing Restoration
5539Barry Tourist RailwayUndergoing Restoration
5541Dean Forest RailwayOperational, boiler ticket expires 2024
5542South Devon RailwayOperational, boiler ticket expires 2022
5552Bodmin and Wenford RailwayUnder Overhaul
5553Peak RailOperational
5572Didcot Railway CentreStatic Display
4900 'Hall'4920 Dumbleton HallWarner Bros.In Storage
4930 Hagley HallSevern Valley RailwayOperational
4936 Kinlet HallTyseley Locomotive WorksUnder Overhaul
4942 Maindy HallDidcot Railway CentreRebuilt into GWR 2900 Class 2999 Lady of Legend.Operational
4953 Pitchford HallEpping Ongar RailwayOperational
4965 Rood Ashton HallVintage TrainsAwaiting Overhaul
4979 Wootton HallRibble Steam RailwayUndergoing Restoration
5900 Hinderton HallDidcot Railway CentreStatic Display
5952 Cogan HallTyseley Locomotive WorksUndergoing Restoration
5967 Bickmarsh HallNorthampton & Lamport RailwayUndergoing Restoration
5972 Olton HallWarner Bros. Studio Tour LondonStatic Display
51015164Barrow Hill Engine ShedAwaiting Overhaul
5193West Somerset RailwayRebuilt into 2-6-0 tender locomotive.Operational.
5199Llangollen RailwayOperational
4110East Somerset RailwayUndergoing Restoration
4121TyseleyIn Storage
4141Epping Ongar RailwayAwaiting boiler repair
4144Didcot Railway CentreOperational
4150Severn Valley RailwayUndergoing Restoration
52055224Peak RailIn Storage
5227Didcot Railway CentreScrapyard Condition and dismantled for parts to use on the new-build Churchward 4-4-0 County No.3840 County of Montgomery
5239 GoliathDartmouth Steam RailwayOperational, boiler ticket expires 2029
56005619Telford Steam RailwayOperational
5637Swindon & Cricklade RailwayAwaiting Overhaul
5643East Lancashire RailwayOperational
5668Kent & East Sussex RailwayUndergoing Restoration
6619Kent & East Sussex RailwayAwaiting Overhaul
6634Peak RailUnder Restoration
6686Barry Tourist RailwayUnder Restoration
6695Swindon & Cricklade RailwayUnder Overhaul
6697Didcot Railway CentreStatic Display
57003650Didcot Railway CentreUnder Overhaul
3738Didcot Railway CentreStatic Display
4612Bodmin and Wenford RailwayOperational, boiler ticket expires 2023
5764Severn Valley RailwayStatic Display
5775Keighley and Worth Valley RailwayStatic Display
5786South Devon RailwayOperational
7714Severn Valley RailwayOperational
7715Buckinghamshire Railway CentreAwaiting Repairs
7752Tyseley Locomotive WorksOperational
7754Llangollen RailwayUndergoing Overhaul
7760Tyseley Locomotive WorksAwaiting Overhaul
9600Tyseley Locomotive WorksAwaiting Overhaul
9629Pontypool & Blaenavon RailwayUnder Overhaul
9642Gloucestershire Warwickshire RailwayUnder Overhaul
9681Dean Forest RailwayUnder Overhaul
9682Dean Forest RailwayUnder Restoration
6000 'King'6000 King George VMuseum of the Great Western RailwayStatic Display
6023 King Edward IIDidcot Railway CentreAwaiting Overhaul
6024 King Edward IWest Somerset RailwayUnder Overhaul
61006106Didcot Railway CentreStatic Display
64006412South Devon RailwayOperational, boiler ticket expires 2024
6430South Devon RailwayOperational, boiler ticket expires 2025
6435Bodmin and Wenford RailwayOperational, boiler ticket expires 2022
72007200Buckinghamshire Railway CentreUnder Restoration
7202Didcot Railway CentreUnder Restoration
7229East Lancashire RailwayUnder Restoration
7800 'Manor'7802 Bradley ManorSevern Valley RailwayUnder Overhaul
7808 Cookham ManorDidcot Railway CentreUndergoing Overhaul
7812 Erlestoke ManorSevern Valley RailwayUnder Overhaul
7819 Hinton ManorSevern Valley RailwayStatic Display
7820 Dinmore ManorGloucestershire Warwickshire RailwayOperational, boiler ticket expires 2023
7821 Ditcheat ManorWest Somerset RailwayStatic Display at Swindon Designer Outlet
7822 Foxcote ManorWest Somerset RailwayOperational, boiler ticket expires 2026
7827 Lydham ManorDartmouth Steam RailwayUndergoing Overhaul
7828 Odney ManorWest Somerset RailwayOperational, boiler ticket expires 2028
Collet also built or rebuilt the Vale Of Rheidol locomotives listed under § Narrow gauge locomotives.

Hawksworth designed locomotives

ClassNumber and NameBased atStatus
15001501Severn Valley RailwayIn Storage
16001638Kent & East Sussex RailwayOperational
6959 'Modified Hall'6960 Raveningham HallThe Hornby Visitors CentreStatic Display in the One:One Collection, Margate. Awaiting Overhaul
6984 Owsden HallBuckinghamshire Railway CentreUndergoing Restoration
6989 Wightwick HallBuckinghamshire Railway CentreOperational
6990 Witherslack HallGreat Central RailwayOperational, boiler ticket expires 2026
6998 Burton Agnes HallDidcot Railway CentreStatic Display
7903 Foremarke HallGloucestershire and Warwickshire RailwayOperational, boiler ticket expires 2026
94009400Museum of the Great Western RailwayStatic Display
9466Ecclesbourne Valley RailwayOperational, boiler ticket expires 2026
Gas Turbine Locomotive18000Didcot Railway CentreStatic Display

Amalgamated/pre-grouping locomotives

Nine pre-grouping locomotives that were absorbed into the GWR in 1923 are known to survive:

Narrow gauge locomotives

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]

New-build steam

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.

ClassWheel arr.Number and NameBased atStatusRefs
2900 'Saint'4-6-02999 Lady of LegendDidcot Railway CentreComplete. May also run as 4-4-2[29] [30] [31]
4300 ('Mogul')2-6-09351West Somerset RailwayComplete. Conversion from 'Prairie' No. 5193, so has a smaller boiler than standard Moguls.[32] [33]
1000 Hawksworth 'County'4-6-01014 County of GlamorganDidcot Railway CentreUnder construction[34] [35]
3800 Churchward 'County'4-4-03840 County of MontgomeryGloucestershire Warwickshire RailwayUnder construction[36] [37]
47002-8-04709Tyseley Locomotive WorksUnder construction[38] [39]
6800 'Grange'4-6-06880 Betton GrangeTyseley Locomotive WorksCompleted in April 2024[40] [41]
2-2-2Fire FlyDidcot Railway CentreComplete. Built by the Fire Fly Trust[42]
4-2-2Iron DukeDidcot Railway CentreComplete. Commissioned by the Science Museum, and built by RESCO (Railways) Ltd from parts of two Hunslet Austerity tank engines.[43] [44]
Sometimes the Railcar No. 93 is included as 'new build steam', as the power bogie was constructed from scratch; however, the remainder of the coachwork was an original railcar, preserved as noted above.

See also

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Book: Slinn, JN. Great Western Way. Historical Model Railway Society. 1978. Frome. 0-902835-03-3.
  2. Book: Reed, P.J.T. . The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, Part 2: Broad Gauge. The Railway Correspondence and Travel Society. February 1953. 0-901115-32-0 . White . D.E. . Kenilworth . 650490992 .
  3. Book: Waters, Laurence. The Great Western Broad Gauge. Ian Allan Publishing. 1999. Hersham. 0-7110-2634-3. registration.
  4. Book: Russell, J.H.. A Pictorial Record of Great Western Engines, Volume 1. Oxford Publishing Company. 1975. Oxford. 0-86093-398-9.
  5. Book: Rogers, HCB. GJ Churchward - A Locomotive Biography. Allen & Unwin. London. 1975. 0-04-385069-3.
  6. Hill. Keith. A colossus of steam. The Railway Magazine. 151. 1256. 16–20. IPC Media. 2005.
  7. Andrews. David. Special Experimental Tests: more pieces of the City of Truro puzzle. Backtrack. 22. 2. 116–121. Pendragon Publishing . 2008.
  8. Coleford. IC. Swindon's saddle tanks: the GWR 1361 class 0-6-0STs. Railway Bylines. 12. 6. 252–263. Irwell Press. 2007.
  9. Book: Lewis, John . Great Western Steam Railmotors: and their services . Wild Swan Publications Ltd . 2004 . 1-874103-96-8.
  10. The Chairmen and Principal Officers of the Great Western Railway Company 1833-1935. Great Western Railway Magazine. 47. 9. 462. Great Western Railway. 1935.
  11. Book: Sheppard, Geof. Broad Gauge Locomotives. Noodle Books. 2008. Southampton. 978-1-906419-09-7 .
  12. Book: Casserley, H.C. . S. W. Johnson . 1966 . Locomotives at the Grouping 4: Great Western Railway . Shepperton, Surrey . Ian Allan . 63–134.
  13. Book: Pike, Jim . Locomotive Names . 2000 . Sutton Publishing . Stroud . 0-7509-2284-2.
  14. Web site: Railmotor 93 The Last Steaming . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/vtn8ZZxoF8I . 2021-12-22 . live. 17 March 2021 . en.
  15. Web site: Buckinghamshire Railway Centre Stockbook . www.brc-stockbook.co.uk . 10 October 2021.
  16. Web site: 1369 – GWR – 0-6-0PT . 8 October 2019 . South Devon Railway . 2023-01-23.
  17. https://www.railadvent.co.uk/events/vintage-trains-excursion-tyseley-didcot Private Shareholder Special to Didcot
  18. http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t19/t0219p.htm 7029's light test runs
  19. Web site: 2017-06-16. 5532. 2020-12-18. Preserved British Steam Locomotives. en.
  20. Book: Davies . W J K . Vale of Rheidol Light Railway . 1964 . . Shepperton-on-Thames . 25–33.
  21. Web site: Locomotive – Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway . Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway . 20 March 2021.
  22. Book: Cozens . Lewis . The Corris Railway . 1949 . The Corris Railway Society . Loughborough . 1972 reprint.
  23. Book: White . Christopher . Forty years of the Talyllyn Railway . 1991 . AB Pub . Leicester . 1-869915-04-6 . 16.
  24. Book: Haresnape . Brian . Collett & Hawksworth locomotives : a pictorial history . 1978 . I. Allan . London . 0-7110-0869-8 . 112.
  25. Web site: 2999 - Lady of Legend Didcot Railway Centre . didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk . Didcot Railway Centre . 2 May 2023.
  26. Book: Whitehurst . Brian . Great Western engines, names, numbers, types, classes: 1940 to preservation. . 1973 . Oxford Pub. Co . Oxford . 0-902888-21-8 . 28–29.
  27. Web site: What is new build steam? . New Build Steam . 2 May 2023 . en . 24 November 2012.
  28. Web site: Antiquity and Preservation . Friends of the NRM . Friends of the NRM . 5 April 2022. 4 January 2024 . en .
  29. Web site: 2999 - Lady of Legend Didcot Railway Centre . didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk . Didcot Railway Centre . 2 May 2023.
  30. Web site: Major accolade for steam locomotive 2999 Lady of Legend . RailAdvent . 2 May 2023.
  31. Web site: 2999 Lady of Legend: launch weekend . New Build Steam . 2 May 2023 . en . 14 April 2019.
  32. Web site: Steam Locomotives of the West Somerset Railway . www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk . 2 May 2023 . en.
  33. Web site: The projects . New Build Steam . 2 May 2023 . en . 11 November 2016.
  34. Web site: 1014 - County of Glamorgan Didcot Railway Centre . didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk . Didcot Railway Centre . 2 May 2023.
  35. Web site: 1014 County Project Hawksworth County Didcot . 1014 County Project . 2 May 2023 . en.
  36. Web site: Home - Churchward County Trust . www.churchwardcounty.org.uk . 2 May 2023.
  37. Web site: Churchward hits £40k target for coupled wheels for steam loco . RailAdvent . 2 May 2023.
  38. Web site: 4709 – The Ultimate British 2–8–0 . 4709 – The Ultimate British 2–8–0 . 2 May 2023.
  39. Web site: Update on steam locomotive 7027 Thornbury Castle and Night Owl 4709 . RailAdvent . 2 May 2023.
  40. Web site: Home . Betton Grange 6880 . 20 April 2024.
  41. Web site: Tyseley to become permanent home for steam locomotive 6880 Betton Grange and 5952 Cogan Hall . RailAdvent . 2 May 2023.
  42. Web site: Fire Fly . didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk . Didcot Railway Centre . 4 January 2024.
  43. Web site: Steam locomotive entitled Iron Duke Science Museum Group Collection . collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk . 4 January 2024 . en.
  44. Web site: Iron Duke . didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk . Didcot Railway Centre . 4 January 2024.