GWR 4200 Class

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GWR 4200 Class
GWR 4200 Class
Preserved 4200 Class no. 4247 on the
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
Power type Steam
Designer Churchward
Builder GWR
Build date 1910
Configuration 2-8-0T
Gauge 4' 8½"
Driver size 4' 7½"
Locomotive weight 81 tons 12 cwt
Fuel type coal
Boiler pressure 200 psi
Cylinders two outside
Cylinder size 18½" x 30"
Tractive effort 31,450 lbf
Class 7F

The Great Western Railway (GWR) 4200 Class is a class of 2-8-0T steam locomotives. They were designed for short-haul coal trips from coal mines to ports in South Wales. The principle role of the class was working the 1000+ ton coal trains up through the Welsh valleys. A job which needed much tractive effort, due to train weights and gradients, and good steaming capabilities. The large boiler was enabled into the design due to the narrow side tanks; these engines would pass numerous water stops along their routes so it was never a worry, because of the class’s heavy water consumption and limited tank capacity they were nicknamed “Water Carts”. The later 5205 Class were very similar. Some were rebuilt in the form of 2-8-2T of the 7200 Class. Five have been preserved, nos 4247, 4248, 4253, 4270 and 4277.

[edit] Preservation

All five engines were rescued from Barry Scrapyard with 4247 leaving the yard in Apr 1985, 4253 leaving in Aug 1987, 4248 leaving in May 1986, 4270 leaving in July 1985 and 4277 leaving the yard in June 1986.

[edit] Sources

  • Ian Allan ABC of British Railways Locomotives, winter 1957/8 edition, part 1, pp 20-21