GWR 4700 Class
Encyclopedia
The Great Western Railway
(GWR) 4700 Class was a class of nine 2-8-0
steam locomotive
s, numbered 4700 through 4708. They were the final locomotives designed by George Jackson Churchward
and were introduced in 1919
–1921
for fast goods work. Although built for freight, the class sometimes hauled passenger trains, notably heavy holiday expresses in the summer.
. The 2800s were small-wheeled mineral haulers with 4 ft 7½ in driving wheels. The 4700s used the 5 ft 8 in driving wheels and the cylinders from the 4300 Class
Mogul (2-6-0
), and were intended for express goods trains.
The prototype, No.4700, was constructed in 1919. It was built with a standard No.1 boiler, the same used in the 2800 Class, but testing proved it inadequate. A new, larger design, the No.7, was introduced in 1921 for the remaining eight of the class.
Withdrawals began in June 1962 with No.4702, while the last were removed from service in May 1964. No.4705 recorded the greatest distance travelled, at 1,656,564 miles.
, 4115, is being broken up to provide parts for a projected replica.
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) 4700 Class was a class of nine 2-8-0
2-8-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-8-0 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle , eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and no trailing wheels...
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...
s, numbered 4700 through 4708. They were the final locomotives designed by 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:...
and were introduced in 1919
1919 in rail transport
-March events:* March 5 – Rebuilt Helsinki Central railway station officially opened .-April events:* April 12 – Ryutaro Nomura succeeds Simbei Kunisawa for a second term as president of South Manchuria Railway....
–1921
1921 in rail transport
-January events:* January 26 - Abermule train collision, Wales: faulty operation of Train Tablet leads to head on collision killing 17 people.- April events :...
for fast goods work. Although built for freight, the class sometimes hauled passenger trains, notably heavy holiday expresses in the summer.
History
The 4700 Class was intended for a quite different role than the 2800 ClassGWR 2800 Class
The Great Western Railway 2800 Class is a class of steam locomotive designed by G.J. Churchward for heavy freight work. They were the first 2-8-0 class in Great Britain....
. The 2800s were small-wheeled mineral haulers with 4 ft 7½ in driving wheels. The 4700s used the 5 ft 8 in driving wheels and the cylinders from the 4300 Class
GWR 4300 Class
The Great Western Railway 4300 Class is a class of 2-6-0 steam locomotive.- Overview :The class was introduced in 1911 to a G.J. Churchward design. 342 were built until 1932...
Mogul (2-6-0
2-6-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-6-0 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle, usually in a leading truck, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and no trailing wheels. This arrangement is commonly called a Mogul...
), and were intended for express goods trains.
The prototype, No.4700, was constructed in 1919. It was built with a standard No.1 boiler, the same used in the 2800 Class, but testing proved it inadequate. A new, larger design, the No.7, was introduced in 1921 for the remaining eight of the class.
Withdrawals began in June 1962 with No.4702, while the last were removed from service in May 1964. No.4705 recorded the greatest distance travelled, at 1,656,564 miles.
Preservation
No members of the class were preserved. A member of 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...
, 4115, is being broken up to provide parts for a projected replica.