GWR 517 Class
Encyclopedia
The 517 Class were small 0-4-2T tank engines designed by George Armstrong
for local passenger work on the Great Western Railway
. They were built at Wolverhampton Works
and were outshopped between 1868 and 1885. They were built in thirteen lots commencing with 517–528 and ending with 1477–1488 in 1884–1885. The class was far from uniform and encompassed three different wheelbases, saddle and side tanks, and various boilers to name just a few variations. Driving wheels were 5 in 0 in (1.52 m) (later 5 in 2 in (1.57 m) due to thicker tyres), cylinders 15 by 24 in (381 by 609.6 mm), (later 16 by 24 in (406.4 by 609.6 mm)) and boiler pressure 150 psi (1.03 MPa) (later 165 psi (1.14 MPa)).
The earlier ones were rebuilt from saddle tanks while the later ones were built as side tanks from the beginning. The 3571 Class
were very closely related, its prototype being a minor rebuild of 517 class No. 1477 in 1895. Then ten new locos followed in the next two years. Returning to the 517 class, various bunker and cab combinations also evolved, and after their last rebuilding, the locos with enclosed cabs and large bunkers were effectively the progenitors of Collett's 4800 class.
In 1898 No. 1473 was named Fair Rosamund, to work a royal train on the Oxford-Woodstock branch. The engine was the usual one for the Woodstock branch in subsequent years.
The independence of the brothers Armstrong is aptly symbolised by the fact that Joseph at Swindon preferred the 2-4-0T wheel arrangement (the 455 Class
"Metro" Tanks) to the 0-4-2; George, on the other hand, built no 2-4-0Ts at Wolverhampton. In the 19th century the 517s were principally Northern Division engines, and when new worked the Birmingham and Wolverhampton suburban traffic. Under Churchward
the situation changed: about half of the class was fitted for autotrain
working, and these engines were regularly maintained and moved around the system where needed; while the other, unconverted engines were demoted and became little more than shunters. Nevertheless as late as the 1920s the class was found in almost all parts of the GWR system.
Most of the class ran between a million and a million and a half miles, No. 1163 holding the record at 1,652,661. None of the 517s was preserved, the last survivor No. 848 being scrapped in 1945 when aged 70.
George Armstrong (engineer)
George Armstrong was in charge of standard gauge steam locomotives for the Great Western Railway at Stafford Road Works, Wolverhampton from 1864 to 1897...
for local passenger work on the Great Western Railway
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...
. They were built at Wolverhampton Works
Wolverhampton railway works
Wolverhampton railway works was in the city of Wolverhampton in the county of Staffordshire, England. It was almost due north of the city centre, and is commemorated with a small display of level crossing gates and a plaque...
and were outshopped between 1868 and 1885. They were built in thirteen lots commencing with 517–528 and ending with 1477–1488 in 1884–1885. The class was far from uniform and encompassed three different wheelbases, saddle and side tanks, and various boilers to name just a few variations. Driving wheels were 5 in 0 in (1.52 m) (later 5 in 2 in (1.57 m) due to thicker tyres), cylinders 15 by 24 in (381 by 609.6 mm), (later 16 by 24 in (406.4 by 609.6 mm)) and boiler pressure 150 psi (1.03 MPa) (later 165 psi (1.14 MPa)).
| Year | Lot | Quantity | GWR No. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1868 | D | 10 | 517–528 | 13 in 7 in (4.14 m) wheelbase |
| 1868–69 | E | 12 | 529–540 | 13 in 7 in (4.14 m) wheelbase |
| 1869 | F | 12 | 541–552 | 13 in 7 in (4.14 m) wheelbase |
| 1869 | G | 12 | 553–564 | 13 in 7 in (4.14 m) wheelbase |
| 1869–70 | H | 12 | 565–576 | 13 in 7 in (4.14 m) wheelbase |
| I | 12 | 1421–1432 | 15 in 0 in (4.57 m) wheelbase | |
| 1873–74 | R | 12 | 826–837 | 15 in 0 in (4.57 m) wheelbase |
| 1874–75 | S | 12 | 838–849 | 15 in 0 in (4.57 m) wheelbase |
| 1875–76 | W | 12 | 1154–1165 | 15 in 0 in (4.57 m) wheelbase |
| 1876 | Z | 13 | 202–205, 215–222 | 15 in 0 in (4.57 m) wheelbase |
| 1877–78 | C2 | 12 | 1433–1444 | |
| 1883 | M3 | 12 | 1465–1476 | 15 in 0 in (4.57 m) wheelbase |
| 1884–85 | P2 | 6 | 1477–1482 | 15 in 0 in (4.57 m) wheelbase |
| 1884–85 | P2 | 6 | 1483–1488 | 15 in 0 in (4.57 m) wheelbase |
The earlier ones were rebuilt from saddle tanks while the later ones were built as side tanks from the beginning. The 3571 Class
GWR 3571 class
The 3571 Class was a class of ten 0-4-2T tank engines designed by George Armstrong and built at the Wolverhampton Works of the Great Western Railway in 1895-7. The 3571s, numbered 3571-3580 and built as Lot No. C3, were in essence a continuation, and conclusion, of the series of 517 Class built...
were very closely related, its prototype being a minor rebuild of 517 class No. 1477 in 1895. Then ten new locos followed in the next two years. Returning to the 517 class, various bunker and cab combinations also evolved, and after their last rebuilding, the locos with enclosed cabs and large bunkers were effectively the progenitors of Collett's 4800 class.
In 1898 No. 1473 was named Fair Rosamund, to work a royal train on the Oxford-Woodstock branch. The engine was the usual one for the Woodstock branch in subsequent years.
The independence of the brothers Armstrong is aptly symbolised by the fact that Joseph at Swindon preferred the 2-4-0T wheel arrangement (the 455 Class
GWR 455 Class
The GWR 455 Class, also called the "Metropolitan" or "Metro" Tanks, was a series of 140 2-4-0T tank locomotives built for the Great Western Railway, originally for their London suburban services, including running on the underground section of the Metropolitan Railway, the source of their nickname....
"Metro" Tanks) to the 0-4-2; George, on the other hand, built no 2-4-0Ts at Wolverhampton. In the 19th century the 517s were principally Northern Division engines, and when new worked the Birmingham and Wolverhampton suburban traffic. Under 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:...
the situation changed: about half of the class was fitted for autotrain
GWR Autocoach
The GWR Autocoach is a type of coach that was used by the Great Western Railway for push-pull trains powered by a steam locomotive. The distinguishing design feature of an autocoach is the driving cab at one end, allowing the driver to control the train without needing to be located in the cab of...
working, and these engines were regularly maintained and moved around the system where needed; while the other, unconverted engines were demoted and became little more than shunters. Nevertheless as late as the 1920s the class was found in almost all parts of the GWR system.
Most of the class ran between a million and a million and a half miles, No. 1163 holding the record at 1,652,661. None of the 517s was preserved, the last survivor No. 848 being scrapped in 1945 when aged 70.