GWR 633 Class
Encyclopedia
Class 633 of the Great Western Railway
consisted of ten 0-6-0 tank locomotives built by George Armstrong
at the Wolverhampton works of the Great Western Railway in 1871-2. Unusually, they had side (not saddle) tanks, and inside frames, with wheels of 4'6 1/2" diameter and a wheelbase of 15'6". They were intended for the Southern Division of the GWR; Nos. 643 and 644 were fitted with condensing apparatus when built, and this was added to some others in the 1890s. From 1887 they were reboilered with Dean pattern boilers and the wheels were enlarged by one inch by means of thicker tyres. The class was reboilered again with Belpaire fireboxes
(but not pannier tanks) between 1916 and 1925. The condenser-fitted engines worked in the London area, others at Neath in South Wales. Withdrawal took place in 1928-34.
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...
consisted of ten 0-6-0 tank locomotives built by George Armstrong
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...
at the Wolverhampton works of the Great Western Railway in 1871-2. Unusually, they had side (not saddle) tanks, and inside frames, with wheels of 4'6 1/2" diameter and a wheelbase of 15'6". They were intended for the Southern Division of the GWR; Nos. 643 and 644 were fitted with condensing apparatus when built, and this was added to some others in the 1890s. From 1887 they were reboilered with Dean pattern boilers and the wheels were enlarged by one inch by means of thicker tyres. The class was reboilered again with Belpaire fireboxes
Belpaire firebox
The Belpaire firebox is a type of firebox used on steam locomotives. It was invented by Alfred Belpaire of Belgium. It has a greater surface area at the top of the firebox, improving heat transfer and steam production...
(but not pannier tanks) between 1916 and 1925. The condenser-fitted engines worked in the London area, others at Neath in South Wales. Withdrawal took place in 1928-34.