Steam train
Introduced as one of the first of the GWR standard classes, these magnificent engines, the pioneer 2-8-0's in Britain, were immediately successful and set the standard for the majority of heavy goods locomotives until the end of steam. Never glamorous but very reliable and powerful, they were used throughout the system. By 1919, when production temporarily stopped, 84 had been built. After 1938, when the design was slightly modified by Collett a further 83 were constructed, to finally complete the class by 1942. The class was designed to handle long distance Heavy Freight trains, so their average job would have been to haul large rakes of wagons (probably around 500 tons) at speed around 20-30 mph over distances of 100-200 miles. Most of the engines were allocated to the South Wales, Wolverhampton and London Divisions. They were all shedded at main line depots as their axle loadings kept them off most branch lines; also their wheelbase limited their use in the Welsh Valleys.
Size: 3410px × 4961px
Location: Didcot Railway Centre, Oxfordshire, UK
Photo credit: © Mal Smith / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: age, engine, express, golden, historic, locomotive, railway, shed, shunting, spotting, steam, train, transport
