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{{short description|Class of 2-8-2 tank engines}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox Locomotive
{{Infobox Locomotive
|powertype = Steam
| powertype = Steam
|name = GWR 7200 Class
| name = GWR 7200 Class
|image = Swansea East Dock Locomotive Depot geograph-2541297-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
| image = Swansea East Dock Locomotive Depot geograph-2541297-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
| caption = 7248 in 1962
|caption = 7248 is a converted 42xx class no.4249, rebuilt with a 5275 front end. 7248 is seen here fitted with the 'Coal Scuttle' Bunker.
|designer = [[Charles Collett]] (rebuild)
| designer = [[Charles Collett]] (rebuild)
| ordernumber = Lot 318 (7240–7254)
|rebuilder = GWR [[Swindon Works]]
| rebuilder = GWR [[Swindon Works]]
|rebuilddate = July 1934–December 1939
| rebuilddate = July 1934–December 1939
|numberrebuilt = 54
| numberrebuilt = 54
|whytetype = [[2-8-2T]]
| whytetype = [[2-8-2T]]
|uicclass = 1'D1' h2t
| uicclass = 1′D1′ h2t
|gauge = {{track gauge|uksg|allk=on}}
|leadingdiameter = {{convert|3|ft|2|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
| gauge = {{track gauge|uksg|allk=on}}
|driverdiameter = {{convert|4|ft|7+1/2|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
| leadingdiameter = {{convert|3|ft|2|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
|trailingdiameter = {{convert|3|ft|8|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| driverdiameter = {{convert|4|ft|7+1/2|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
|length = {{convert|44|ft|10|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| trailingdiameter = {{convert|3|ft|8|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
|locoweight = {{long ton|92|12}} ({{convert|92|LT|12|Lcwt|ST|1|abbr=on|disp=output only}})
| length = {{convert|44|ft|10|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|8|ft|11|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
|fueltype = [[Coal]]
|fuelcap = {{long ton|6|0}} ({{convert|6|LT|0|Lcwt|ST|1|abbr=on|disp=output only}})
| height = {{convert|12|ft|10+1/16|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| locoweight = {{long ton|92|12}} ({{convert|92|LT|12|Lcwt|ST|1|abbr=on|disp=output only}})
|watercap = {{convert|2400|impgal|abbr=on}} 2,700 imp gal with 'Coal Scuttle' bunker.
| fueltype = [[Coal]]
|firearea = {{convert|20.56|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
| fuelcap = {{ubl|''Standard bunker:'' {{convert|6|LT|t ST|1|abbr=on}}|''‘Coal Scuttle’ bunker:'' {{convert|5|LT|ST t|1|abbr=on}}}}
|tubearea =
| watercap = {{ubl|''Standard bunker:'' {{convert|2400|impgal|abbr=on}}|''‘Coal Scuttle’ bunker:'' {{convert|2700|impgal|abbr=on}}}}
|fluearea =
|tubesandflues = {{convert|1349.64|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
| firearea = {{convert|20.56|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
| boiler = GWR Standard No. 4
|fireboxarea = {{convert|128.72|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
| tubearea =
|superheaterarea = {{convert|191.79|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
| fluearea =
|boilerpressure = {{convert|200|lbf/in2|MPa|2|abbr=on}}
| tubesandflues = {{convert|1349.64|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
|cylindercount = Two, outside
|cylindersize = {{convert|19|x|30|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| fireboxarea = {{convert|128.72|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
| superheaterarea = {{convert|191.79|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
|valvegear = [[Stephenson valve gear|Stephenson]]
| boilerpressure = {{convert|200|lbf/in2|MPa|2|abbr=on}}
|valvetype = [[Piston valve (steam engine)|piston valves]]
| cylindercount = Two, outside
|tractiveeffort = {{convert|33170|lbf|kN|abbr=on}}
| cylindersize = {{convert|19|x|30|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
|operator = [[Great Western Railway|GWR]] » [[British Railways|BR]]
| valvegear = [[Stephenson valve gear|Stephenson]]
|operatorclass = 7200
| valvetype = [[Piston valve (steam engine)|Piston valves]]
|numinclass = 30
| tractiveeffort = {{convert|33170|lbf|kN|abbr=on}}
|powerclass = [[Great Western Railway Power Classification|GWR: E]]<br>BR: 8F
|axleloadclass = [[Great Western Railway Weight Classification|Red]]
| operator = [[Great Western Railway|GWR]] » [[British Railways|BR]]
| operatorclass = 7200
|withdrawndate = 1962 – 1965
| numinclass = 30
|disposition = Three extant, remainder [[scrap]]ped
| powerclass = [[Great Western Railway Power Classification|GWR: E]]<br/>BR: 8F
| axleloadclass = [[Great Western Railway Weight Classification|Red]]
| withdrawndate = 1962 – 1965
| disposition = Three under restoration, remainder [[scrapped]]
}}
}}
The [[Great Western Railway]] (GWR) '''7200 Class''' is a class of [[2-8-2T]] [[steam locomotive]]. These engines are the holders of several records:<ref name=Whitehurst/> they were the first engines with a 2-8-2T wheel arrangement built in Britain, the only 2-8-2Ts to be built in Britain, and were the largest [[tank engine]]s to run on the Great Western Railway.<ref name=Whitehurst>{{Whitehurst GW Engines from 1940|pages=65–66, 103}}</ref>
The [[Great Western Railway]] (GWR) '''7200 Class''' is a class of [[2-8-2T]] [[steam locomotive]]. They were the only 2-8-2Ts built and used by a British railway,<ref name=Whitehurst/> and the largest [[tank engine]]s to run on the Great Western Railway.<ref name=Whitehurst>{{Whitehurst GW Engines from 1940|pages=65–66, 103}}</ref>


==Rebuild and operation==
==Rebuild and operation==
Originally the [[GWR 4200 Class|4200 class]] and [[GWR 5205 Class|5205 class]] [[2-8-0T]] were introduced for short-haul Welsh coal traffic, but the [[Wall Street Crash 1929|Stock Market Crash of 1929]] saw coal traffic dramatically fall. Built specifically for the short runs of heavy trains in the [[South Wales Coalfield]], [[Charles Collett]] took the agreed decision to rebuild some of them with an extended coal carrying capacity by adding {{convert|4|ft|2}} to the frames, requiring the addition of a trailing wheel set, making them 2-8-2T.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/locos/7202/7202.html| title=7202 - 2-8-2T| website=Didcot Railway Centre}}</ref>
Originally, the [[GWR 4200 Class|4200 class]] and [[GWR 5205 Class|5205 class]] [[2-8-0T]] were introduced for short-haul Welsh coal traffic, but the [[Wall Street Crash of 1929|Stock Market Crash of 1929]] saw coal traffic dramatically fall. Built specifically for the short runs of heavy trains in the [[South Wales Coalfield]], [[Charles Collett]] took the agreed decision to rebuild some of them with an extended coal carrying capacity and thus greater range and usefulness by adding {{convert|4|ft|2}} to the frames, requiring the addition of a trailing wheel set, making them 2-8-2T.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/locos/7202/7202.html| title=7202 - 2-8-2T| website=Didcot Railway Centre}}</ref>


With the work carried out at [[Swindon Works]], the first to be converted was 5275 (lot 266), which returned to traffic numbered 7200 in August 1934. An official photograph of the prototype was taken on 27 July 1934 at the usual site outside 'A Shop' for engine pictures. Nos. 5276–94 were similarly rebuilt between August and November 1934, becoming 7201–19, and nos. 7220–39 were rebuilt from 5255–74 between August 1935 and February 1936; with both batches, the rebuilding was not in numerical order, but the new numbers were in the same sequence as the old. Nos. 7240–53, rebuilt August 1937–December 1939, were selected at random from locomotives numbered in the 42xx series.<ref>{{cite book |last=le Fleming |first=H.M. |editor-last=White |editor-first=D.E. |title=The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part nine: Standard Two-Cylinder Classes |date=February 1962 |publisher=[[Railway Correspondence and Travel Society|RCTS]] |pages=J45–J46 |ref=harv }}</ref>
With the work carried out at [[Swindon Works]], the first to be converted was 5275 (lot 266), which returned to traffic numbered 7200 in August 1934. An official photograph of the prototype was taken on 27 July 1934 at the usual site outside 'A Shop' for engine pictures. Nos. 5276–5294 were similarly rebuilt between August and November 1934, becoming 7201–7219, and Nos. 7220–7239 were rebuilt from 5255–5274 between August 1935 and February 1936; with both batches, the rebuilding was not in numerical order, but the new numbers were in the same sequence as the old. Nos. 7240–7253, rebuilt August 1937–December 1939, were selected at random from locomotives numbered in the 4200 series.{{sfnb|le Fleming|1962|pp=J45–J46}} This last batch of conversions had been authorised on Lot 318.{{sfnb|Allcock|Davies|le Fleming|Maskelyne|1968|p=38}}


{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible"
The final batch of the class were later fitted with newly developed 'Coal Scuttle' bunkers. These bunkers consisted of a higher rivet line increasing the water capacity up to a total of 2,700 gallons allowing the locos to travel longer distances. The bunker was also designed to facilitate the movement of the coal towards the hatch in the cab, however ‘scuttle bunkers’ would only carry 5 tonnes of coal instead of 6. No.7200 is the only surviving loco of the class to carry one of these unique bunkers.
|-
! Class !! Original !! Rebuilt || Rebuild date
|-
|align=center rowspan=40 | 5205
| 5275 || 7200
|align=center | August 1934
|-
| 5276 || 7201
|align=center rowspan=19 | August–November 1934
|-
| 5277 || 7202
|-
| 5278 || 7203
|-
| 5279 || 7204
|-
| 5280 || 7205
|-
| 5281 || 7206
|-
| 5282 || 7207
|-
| 5283 || 7208
|-
| 5284 || 7209
|-
| 5285 || 7210
|-
| 5286 || 7211
|-
| 5287 || 7212
|-
| 5288 || 7213
|-
| 5289 || 7214
|-
| 5290 || 7215
|-
| 5291 || 7216
|-
| 5292 || 7217
|-
| 5293 || 7218
|-
| 5294 || 7219
|-
| 5255 || 7220
|align=center rowspan=20 | August 1935–February 1936
|-
| 5256 || 7221
|-
| 5257 || 7222
|-
| 5258 || 7223
|-
| 5259 || 7224
|-
| 5260 || 7225
|-
| 5261 || 7226
|-
| 5262 || 7227
|-
| 5263 || 7228
|-
| 5264 || 7229
|-
| 5265 || 7230
|-
| 5266 || 7231
|-
| 5267 || 7232
|-
| 5268 || 7233
|-
| 5269 || 7234
|-
| 5270 || 7235
|-
| 5271 || 7236
|-
| 5272 || 7237
|-
| 5273 || 7238
|-
| 5274 || 7239
|-
|align=center rowspan= 14 | 4200<ref >{{Cite web
|title=GWR Churchward "42xx" Class 2-8-0T
|website=BR Database
|url=http://www.brdatabase.info/locoqry.php?action=class&id=128051&type=S&page=fleet
}}</ref>
| 4239 || 7240
|align=center rowspan=14 | August 1937–December 1939
|-
| 4220 || 7241
|-
| 4202 || 7242
|-
| 4204 || 7243
|-
| 4216 || 7244
|-
| 4205 || 7245
|-
| 4234 || 7246
|-
| 4244 || 7247
|-
| 4249 || 7248
|-
| 4209 || 7249
|-
| 4219 || 7250
|-
| 4240 || 7251
|-
| 4210 || 7252
|-
| 4245 || 7253
|}

The final batch of the class were later fitted with newly developed 'Coal Scuttle' bunkers. These bunkers consisted of a higher rivet line increasing the water capacity up to a total of 2,700 gallons allowing the locos to travel longer distances. The bunker was also designed to facilitate the movement of the coal towards the hatch in the cab, however ‘scuttle bunkers’ would only carry 5 tonnes of coal instead of 6. No. 7200 is the only surviving loco of the class to carry one of these unique bunkers.

The 54 rebuilt locos found work in most parts of the GWR system, where their {{long ton|92|12}} weight was allowed, although the rebuilt chassis length did get them banned from certain goods yards. Many found work in the [[home counties]], deployed on [[iron ore]] and stone trains from [[Banbury]].<ref name=BRC7200>{{cite web| url=http://www.brc-stockbook.co.uk/7200.htm| title=GWR 72XX Class 2-8-2T No. 7200| website=Buckinghamshire Railway Centre| author=Quainton Railway Society}}</ref>


On 17 May 1941 No. 7238 ran into a bomb crater at Budbrook, near [[Hatton, Warwickshire|Hatton]] on the Banbury to [[Wolverhampton]] line.<ref>{{cite web |title=GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton |url=https://www.warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/gwrw1339.htm |website=WarwickshireRailways.com |access-date=18 July 2020}}</ref>
The 54 rebuilt locos found work in most parts of the GWR system, where their great weight {{long ton|92|12}} was allowed, although the rebuilt chassis length did get them banned from certain goods yards. Many found work in the [[home counties]], deployed on [[iron ore]] and stone trains from [[Banbury]].<ref name=BRC7200>{{cite web| url=http://www.brc-stockbook.co.uk/7200.htm| title=GWR 72XX Class 2-8-2T No. 7200| website=Buckinghamshire Railway Centre| author=Quainton Railway Society}}</ref>


== Withdrawal ==
== Withdrawal ==
The first member of the class to be withdrawn was number 7241 in November 1962, whilst the last four engines in traffic served until June 1965. Four of the class were bought by [[Woodham Brothers]] [[scrapyard]] in [[Barry, Vale of Glamorgan]], and no. 7226 was scrapped there in 1965.<ref name=Whitehurst/>
The first member of the class to be withdrawn was number 7241 in November 1962, whilst the last four engines in traffic served until June 1965. Four of the class were bought by [[Woodham Brothers]] [[scrapyard]] in [[Barry, Vale of Glamorgan]], and No. 7226 was scrapped there in 1965.<ref name=Whitehurst/>


[[File:Severn Tunnel Junction Locomotive Depot geograph-2933998-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|thumb|No. 7221, a converted 5205]]
[[File:Severn Tunnel Junction Locomotive Depot geograph-2933998-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|thumb|No. 7221, a converted 5205]]
== Preservation ==
== Preservation ==
Three locomotives survive, all recovered from [[Woodham Brothers]], though none have yet been returned to operational condition. However, in November of 2020, the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre announced that a major milestone was reached with No. 7200.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Holden |first1=Michael |title=Milestone reached in overhaul of steam locomotive 7200 |url=https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2020/11/milestone-reached-in-overhaul-of-steam-locomotive-7200.html |website=Rail Advent |date=17 November 2020 |access-date=17 November 2020}}</ref>
Three locomotives survive, all recovered from [[Woodham Brothers]], though none have been restored:


{{clear}}
{{clear}}
Line 74: Line 204:
|align=center|[[Buckinghamshire Railway Centre]]
|align=center|[[Buckinghamshire Railway Centre]]
|align=center|Under Restoration
|align=center|Under Restoration
|align=center|[[File:GWR_7200_72XX_2-8-2T_%288783734353%29.jpg|140px]]
|align=center|
|align=left|Left [[Woodham Brothers]], [[Barry Island]] in September 1981. 7200 is the only surviving locomotive to carry the unique 'coal scuttle' bunker which enabled it to have a greater water carrying capacity than the rest of the class with 'converted' bunkers. On 12 December 2006, the restored rolling chassis of No. 7200 left the former iron foundry (J Shop) which made the loco the last Great Western locomotive to receive attention at the historic Swindon Works.{{cn|date=January 2016}}
|align=left|Left [[Woodham Brothers]], [[Barry Island]] in September 1981. 7200 is unique in that it is the only surviving locomotive of the class fitted with the 'coal scuttle' bunker which enabled it to have a greater water carrying capacity than the rest of the class with 'converted' bunkers. On 12 December 2006, the restored rolling chassis of 7200 left the former iron foundry (J Shop) which made the loco the last Great Western locomotive to receive attention at the historic Swindon Works.{{cn|date=January 2016}} Restoration is slow and ongoing but has made good progress in recent years.
|-
|-
|align=center|7202
|align=center|7202
Line 82: Line 212:
|align=center|[[Didcot Railway Centre]]
|align=center|[[Didcot Railway Centre]]
|align=center|Under Restoration
|align=center|Under Restoration
|align=center|[[File:GWR 2-8-2T 7202 (1934) in workshop, GWS Didcot , January 2008 P1050107 (9940091116).jpg|125px]]
|align=center|[[File:GWR 72xx No. 7202.jpg|140px]]
|align=left|Left Barry Island in April 1974.
|align=left|Left Barry Island in April 1974.
|-
|-
Line 90: Line 220:
|align=center|[[East Lancashire Railway]]
|align=center|[[East Lancashire Railway]]
|align=center|Under Restoration
|align=center|Under Restoration
|align=center|[[File:GWR 2-8-2T Locomotive No.7229, Barry 1973.jpg|140x140px]]
|align=center|
|align=left|Left Barry Island in October 1984.
|align=left|Left Barry Island in October 1984.
|}
|}


==Models==
==Models==
In 2012, [[Hornby Railways|Hornby]] released models of the 7200 class in both the original GWR green and BR black. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalmodelrail.co.uk/TrainClasses/Details/244 |title=National Model Rail Database |publisher=National Model Rail |accessdate=13 September 2015 }}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
In 2012, [[Hornby Railways|Hornby]] released models of the 7200 class in both the original GWR green and BR black. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalmodelrail.co.uk/TrainClasses/Details/244 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055747/https://www.nationalmodelrail.co.uk/TrainClasses/Details/244 |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 March 2016 |title=National Model Rail Database |publisher=National Model Rail |access-date=13 September 2015 }}</ref>
[[File:Pontypool Road Locomotive Depot geograph-2933982-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|thumb|7203, a converted 5275]]
[[File:Pontypool Road Locomotive Depot geograph-2933982-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|thumb|7203, a converted 5275]]

== See also ==
* [[List of GWR standard classes with two outside cylinders]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
*{{RCTS-LocosGWR-1|year=1968}}
*{{cite book |last=le Fleming |first=H.M. |editor-last=White |editor-first=D.E. |title=The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part nine: Standard Two-Cylinder Classes |date=February 1962 |publisher=[[Railway Correspondence and Travel Society|RCTS]] |pages=J45–J46 }}


== External links ==
== External links ==
Line 113: Line 248:
[[Category:Freight locomotives]]
[[Category:Freight locomotives]]
[[Category:Standard gauge steam locomotives of Great Britain]]
[[Category:Standard gauge steam locomotives of Great Britain]]
[[Category:1′D1′ h2t locomotives]]

Latest revision as of 06:10, 17 November 2024

GWR 7200 Class
7248 in 1962
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerCharles Collett (rebuild)
Order numberLot 318 (7240–7254)
RebuilderGWR Swindon Works
Rebuild dateJuly 1934–December 1939
Number rebuilt54
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte2-8-2T
 • UIC1′D1′ h2t
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Leading dia.3 ft 2 in (0.965 m)
Driver dia.4 ft 7+1⁄2 in (1.410 m)
Trailing dia.3 ft 8 in (1.12 m)
Length44 ft 10 in (13.67 m)
Width8 ft 11 in (2.72 m)
Height12 ft 10+1⁄16 in (3.91 m)
Loco weight92 long tons 12 cwt (207,400 lb or 94.1 t) (103.7 short tons)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity
  • Standard bunker: 6 long tons (6.1 t; 6.7 short tons)
  • ‘Coal Scuttle’ bunker: 5 long tons (5.6 short tons; 5.1 t)
Water cap.
  • Standard bunker: 2,400 imp gal (11,000 L; 2,900 US gal)
  • ‘Coal Scuttle’ bunker: 2,700 imp gal (12,000 L; 3,200 US gal)
Firebox:​
 • Grate area20.56 sq ft (1.910 m2)
BoilerGWR Standard No. 4
Boiler pressure200 lbf/in2 (1.38 MPa)
Heating surface:​
 • Firebox128.72 sq ft (11.958 m2)
 • Tubes and flues1,349.64 sq ft (125.386 m2)
Superheater:
​
 • Heating area191.79 sq ft (17.818 m2)
CylindersTwo, outside
Cylinder size19 in × 30 in (483 mm × 762 mm)
Valve gearStephenson
Valve typePiston valves
Performance figures
Tractive effort33,170 lbf (147.5 kN)
Career
OperatorsGWR » BR
Class7200
Power classGWR: E
BR: 8F
Number in class30
Axle load classRed
Withdrawn1962 – 1965
DispositionThree under restoration, remainder scrapped

The Great Western Railway (GWR) 7200 Class is a class of 2-8-2T steam locomotive. They were the only 2-8-2Ts built and used by a British railway,[1] and the largest tank engines to run on the Great Western Railway.[1]

Rebuild and operation

[edit]

Originally, the 4200 class and 5205 class 2-8-0T were introduced for short-haul Welsh coal traffic, but the Stock Market Crash of 1929 saw coal traffic dramatically fall. Built specifically for the short runs of heavy trains in the South Wales Coalfield, Charles Collett took the agreed decision to rebuild some of them with an extended coal carrying capacity and thus greater range and usefulness by adding 4 feet (1.22 m) to the frames, requiring the addition of a trailing wheel set, making them 2-8-2T.[2]

With the work carried out at Swindon Works, the first to be converted was 5275 (lot 266), which returned to traffic numbered 7200 in August 1934. An official photograph of the prototype was taken on 27 July 1934 at the usual site outside 'A Shop' for engine pictures. Nos. 5276–5294 were similarly rebuilt between August and November 1934, becoming 7201–7219, and Nos. 7220–7239 were rebuilt from 5255–5274 between August 1935 and February 1936; with both batches, the rebuilding was not in numerical order, but the new numbers were in the same sequence as the old. Nos. 7240–7253, rebuilt August 1937–December 1939, were selected at random from locomotives numbered in the 4200 series.[3] This last batch of conversions had been authorised on Lot 318.[4]

Class Original Rebuilt Rebuild date
5205 5275 7200 August 1934
5276 7201 August–November 1934
5277 7202
5278 7203
5279 7204
5280 7205
5281 7206
5282 7207
5283 7208
5284 7209
5285 7210
5286 7211
5287 7212
5288 7213
5289 7214
5290 7215
5291 7216
5292 7217
5293 7218
5294 7219
5255 7220 August 1935–February 1936
5256 7221
5257 7222
5258 7223
5259 7224
5260 7225
5261 7226
5262 7227
5263 7228
5264 7229
5265 7230
5266 7231
5267 7232
5268 7233
5269 7234
5270 7235
5271 7236
5272 7237
5273 7238
5274 7239
4200[5] 4239 7240 August 1937–December 1939
4220 7241
4202 7242
4204 7243
4216 7244
4205 7245
4234 7246
4244 7247
4249 7248
4209 7249
4219 7250
4240 7251
4210 7252
4245 7253

The final batch of the class were later fitted with newly developed 'Coal Scuttle' bunkers. These bunkers consisted of a higher rivet line increasing the water capacity up to a total of 2,700 gallons allowing the locos to travel longer distances. The bunker was also designed to facilitate the movement of the coal towards the hatch in the cab, however ‘scuttle bunkers’ would only carry 5 tonnes of coal instead of 6. No. 7200 is the only surviving loco of the class to carry one of these unique bunkers.

The 54 rebuilt locos found work in most parts of the GWR system, where their 92 long tons 12 cwt (207,400 lb or 94.1 t) weight was allowed, although the rebuilt chassis length did get them banned from certain goods yards. Many found work in the home counties, deployed on iron ore and stone trains from Banbury.[6]

On 17 May 1941 No. 7238 ran into a bomb crater at Budbrook, near Hatton on the Banbury to Wolverhampton line.[7]

Withdrawal

[edit]

The first member of the class to be withdrawn was number 7241 in November 1962, whilst the last four engines in traffic served until June 1965. Four of the class were bought by Woodham Brothers scrapyard in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, and No. 7226 was scrapped there in 1965.[1]

No. 7221, a converted 5205

Preservation

[edit]

Three locomotives survive, all recovered from Woodham Brothers, though none have yet been returned to operational condition. However, in November of 2020, the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre announced that a major milestone was reached with No. 7200.[8]

Current Number Year Built Withdrawn Location Status Photograph Notes
7200 Jul 1926 Jul 1963 Buckinghamshire Railway Centre Under Restoration Left Woodham Brothers, Barry Island in September 1981. 7200 is unique in that it is the only surviving locomotive of the class fitted with the 'coal scuttle' bunker which enabled it to have a greater water carrying capacity than the rest of the class with 'converted' bunkers. On 12 December 2006, the restored rolling chassis of 7200 left the former iron foundry (J Shop) which made the loco the last Great Western locomotive to receive attention at the historic Swindon Works.[citation needed] Restoration is slow and ongoing but has made good progress in recent years.
7202 Aug 1926 Jun 1964 Didcot Railway Centre Under Restoration Left Barry Island in April 1974.
7229 Mar 1926 Aug 1964 East Lancashire Railway Under Restoration Left Barry Island in October 1984.

Models

[edit]

In 2012, Hornby released models of the 7200 class in both the original GWR green and BR black. [9]

7203, a converted 5275

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Whitehurst, Brian (1973). Great Western Engines, Names, Numbers, Types and Classes (1940 to Preservation). Oxford, UK: Oxford Publishing Company. pp. 65–66, 103. ISBN 978-0-9028-8821-0. OCLC 815661.
  2. ^ "7202 - 2-8-2T". Didcot Railway Centre.
  3. ^ le Fleming (1962), pp. J45–J46.
  4. ^ Allcock et al. (1968), p. 38.
  5. ^ "GWR Churchward "42xx" Class 2-8-0T". BR Database.
  6. ^ Quainton Railway Society. "GWR 72XX Class 2-8-2T No. 7200". Buckinghamshire Railway Centre.
  7. ^ "GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton". WarwickshireRailways.com. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  8. ^ Holden, Michael (17 November 2020). "Milestone reached in overhaul of steam locomotive 7200". Rail Advent. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  9. ^ "National Model Rail Database". National Model Rail. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  • Allcock, N. J.; Davies, F. K.; le Fleming, H. M.; Maskelyne, J. N.; Reed, P. J. T.; Tabor, F. J. (1968) [1951]. White, D. E. (ed.). The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part one: Preliminary Survey. Kenilworth: RCTS.
  • le Fleming, H.M. (February 1962). White, D.E. (ed.). The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part nine: Standard Two-Cylinder Classes. RCTS. pp. J45–J46.
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