GWR 481 Class
Encyclopedia
The 481s were a class of 20 2-4-0 mixed-traffic locomotives designed for the Great Western Railway by Joseph Armstrong
and built at Swindon Works in 1869. They were similar in size to the 439 Class
but differed in appearance, thanks to the flowing lines of their outside frame. The class was numbered as follows (in order of construction): 481-490; 587-592, 12, 19, 20, 54. The second batch was numbered 1122-1131 until August 1870.
Three of the class - Nos. 12, 19 and 20, which always remained in the Northern Division - were reboilered at Wolverhampton under George Armstrong
between 1880 and 1890. Furthermore in 1895 No.20 was completely renewed at Swindon, as a larger locomotive, joining the 439 Class
.
The remaining engines were allocated to the Southern Division, working to south Wales and Weymouth, and then between Salisbury and Bristol. All were completely renewed at Swindon in 1887-90, using very little of the original locomotives. They were now "very neat little engines"; at this time William Dean added a completely new member of the class, numbered 28. Around 1900 the renewed engines were relegated to secondary duties, and were subsequently withdrawn between 1904 and 1921. No.485 ran nearly 1,500,000 miles.
Joseph Armstrong (engineer)
Joseph Armstrong was a British locomotive engineer and the second locomotive superintendent of the Great Western Railway...
and built at Swindon Works in 1869. They were similar in size to the 439 Class
GWR 439 Class
The 439 Class, nicknamed the Bicycle class because of its unusual appearance, was a series of six 2-4-0 mixed-traffic engines designed by Joseph Armstrong for the Great Western Railway, and built at Swindon Works in 1868.-The locomotives:...
but differed in appearance, thanks to the flowing lines of their outside frame. The class was numbered as follows (in order of construction): 481-490; 587-592, 12, 19, 20, 54. The second batch was numbered 1122-1131 until August 1870.
Three of the class - Nos. 12, 19 and 20, which always remained in the Northern Division - were reboilered at Wolverhampton under 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...
between 1880 and 1890. Furthermore in 1895 No.20 was completely renewed at Swindon, as a larger locomotive, joining the 439 Class
GWR 439 Class
The 439 Class, nicknamed the Bicycle class because of its unusual appearance, was a series of six 2-4-0 mixed-traffic engines designed by Joseph Armstrong for the Great Western Railway, and built at Swindon Works in 1868.-The locomotives:...
.
The remaining engines were allocated to the Southern Division, working to south Wales and Weymouth, and then between Salisbury and Bristol. All were completely renewed at Swindon in 1887-90, using very little of the original locomotives. They were now "very neat little engines"; at this time William Dean added a completely new member of the class, numbered 28. Around 1900 the renewed engines were relegated to secondary duties, and were subsequently withdrawn between 1904 and 1921. No.485 ran nearly 1,500,000 miles.