The Great Western Railway (GWR) 3600 Class was a class of 2-4-2T side tank steam locomotive, designed by William Dean and built at Swindon in three lots in 1900-1903:
- 3600 (Lot 130, 1900)
- 3601-3620 (Lot 134, 1902)
- 3621-3630 (Lot 143, 1903)
Dean had built an experimental 2-4-2T numbered 11, whose success led to the cancellation of another batch of 2-4-0 "Metro" Tanks and the construction of the 3600s in their place. The new 2-4-2Ts had 5'2" coupled wheels and 17" x 24" cylinders. The second batch were slightly longer than the prototype, resulting in greater tank capacity, and the third lot, delivered under Churchward, were slightly larger again, and had taper boilers. The class gained the nickname "Birdcage" due to their (for the GWR) unusually spacious cabs.
The 3600s was fitted with steam reversing gear, steam brakes and steam-operated water pick-ups in both directions. This reflects their intended work as fast suburban engines. About half were employed on such duties in the Birmingham area. The rest worked in the London area, though later a few worked Chester-Birkenhead trains, and some were allocated to South Wales sheds. They were essentially passenger train engines, and were eventually superseded by Collett's 2-6-2Ts; all were withdrawn in 1930-34.
[edit] Reference
[edit] Source
- Tabor, F.J. (1959). White, D.E.. ed. The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part six: Four-coupled Tank Engines. Kenilworth: RCTS.
[edit] External links
