GWR 3100 Class
Encyclopedia
The Great Western Railway
(GWR) 3100 Class was a class of 2-6-2
T side tank steam locomotive
. This was developed from one of George Jackson Churchward
's pioneer designs; the experimental No 99. The basic design was so sound that derivatives were built until the end of the company's life in 1948 and even beyond.
No 99 was produced in 1903 and given an extended trial over the next two years. Fitted with the standard number 2 boiler running at 200 p.s.i., flat topped tanks and driving wheels of 5 feet 8 inches diameter, this was the genesis of 289 similar locos that were to follow. Thirty nine more examples were built to this initial design. This production batch differed from the prototype only in that the tank tops were sloping to aid visibility and the cab sides were incorporated into the tanks. The running numbers of this batch were 3111 to 3149 and the prototype was logically renumbered 3100.
) were produced using the larger standard number 4 boiler, again running at 200 p.s.i. These two classes were the basis of what was to follow for over forty years.
but were really little changed from the first batch but had an increased axle loading of 17 tons 12 hundredweight. Bunkers were of the standard Collett design with greater coal capacity. Additions to the 51xx class were made until available numbers were exhausted, and forty engines were then built in the 41xx series.
rebuilt some of the oldest locos in the 31xx series with a view to using them as bankers
, particularly from Severn Tunnel
Junction shed. One of the two classes of rebuilds were a "new" 3100 class derived from the old 3150 class. These engines used the standard class 4 boiler again, but pressed to 225 p.s.i. and using smaller coupled wheels of 5 feet 3 inches diameter, and a half inch increase in cylinder diameter, nominal tractive effort rose to 31,170 pounds. Almost impossible to pick out was a 2" reduction in pony truck
wheel diameter to 3'. Only five engines were ever modified, namely 3173, 3156, 3181, 3155 and 3179 which were rebuilt as 3100 to 3104 respectively.
Great Western Railway
The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
(GWR) 3100 Class was a class of 2-6-2
2-6-2
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-6-2 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels, six coupled driving wheels and two trailing wheels.Other equivalent classifications are:...
T side tank steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
. This was developed from one of George Jackson Churchward
George Jackson Churchward
George Jackson Churchward CBE was Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Great Western Railway in the United Kingdom from 1902 to 1922.-Early career:...
's pioneer designs; the experimental No 99. The basic design was so sound that derivatives were built until the end of the company's life in 1948 and even beyond.
No 99 was produced in 1903 and given an extended trial over the next two years. Fitted with the standard number 2 boiler running at 200 p.s.i., flat topped tanks and driving wheels of 5 feet 8 inches diameter, this was the genesis of 289 similar locos that were to follow. Thirty nine more examples were built to this initial design. This production batch differed from the prototype only in that the tank tops were sloping to aid visibility and the cab sides were incorporated into the tanks. The running numbers of this batch were 3111 to 3149 and the prototype was logically renumbered 3100.
3150 class
1906 saw the first alteration to the design of the class, when numbers 3150 to 3190 (known as the GWR 3150 ClassGWR 3150 Class
The Great Western Railway 3150 Class is a class of 2-6-2T side tank steam locomotive. Subclass of the large prairies and were heavy suburban passenger traffic engines.-External links:* *...
) were produced using the larger standard number 4 boiler, again running at 200 p.s.i. These two classes were the basis of what was to follow for over forty years.
5100 and 5101 classes
A renumbering in 1927 saw the original forty renumbered 5100, and 5111 to 5149. The next additions to the class filled in the numbers 5101 to 5110 and extended the class to 5189. These locos were known as the GWR 5101 ClassGWR 5101 Class
The GWR 5101 Class or Large Prairie was a class of 2-6-2T steam locomotives of the Great Western Railway. They were medium-sized tank engines used for suburban and local passenger services all over the Great Western Railway system...
but were really little changed from the first batch but had an increased axle loading of 17 tons 12 hundredweight. Bunkers were of the standard Collett design with greater coal capacity. Additions to the 51xx class were made until available numbers were exhausted, and forty engines were then built in the 41xx series.
New 3100 class
In 1938 CollettCharles Collett
Charles Benjamin Collett was chief mechanical engineer of the Great Western Railway from 1922 to 1941. He designed the GWR's 4-6-0 Castle and King Class express passenger locomotives.-Career:...
rebuilt some of the oldest locos in the 31xx series with a view to using them as bankers
Bank engine
A bank engine or helper engine or pusher engine is a railway locomotive that temporarily assists a train that requires additional power or traction to climb a grade...
, particularly from Severn Tunnel
Severn Tunnel
The Severn Tunnel is a railway tunnel in the United Kingdom, linking South Gloucestershire in the west of England to Monmouthshire in south Wales under the estuary of the River Severn....
Junction shed. One of the two classes of rebuilds were a "new" 3100 class derived from the old 3150 class. These engines used the standard class 4 boiler again, but pressed to 225 p.s.i. and using smaller coupled wheels of 5 feet 3 inches diameter, and a half inch increase in cylinder diameter, nominal tractive effort rose to 31,170 pounds. Almost impossible to pick out was a 2" reduction in pony truck
Pony truck
A pony truck, in railway terminology, is a leading truck with only two wheels.Its invention is generally credited to Levi Bissell, who devised one in 1857 and patented it the following year. Hence the term Bissel bogie or axle is used in continental Europe...
wheel diameter to 3'. Only five engines were ever modified, namely 3173, 3156, 3181, 3155 and 3179 which were rebuilt as 3100 to 3104 respectively.