GWR 6100 Class

GWR 6100 Class
6147 at Swindon Works on 26 April 1964 after overhaul
Power type	Steam
Designer	Charles Collett
Builder	GWR Swindon Works
Order number	Lots 269, 278, 291
Build date	1931–1933, 1935
Total produced	70
Configuration	2-6-2T
UIC classification	1'C1 ht
Gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Leading wheel diameter	3 ft 2 in (0.965 m)
Driver diameter	5 ft 8 in (1.727 m)
Trailing wheel diameter	3 ft 8 in (1.118 m)
Minimum curve	6 chains (400 ft; 120 m) normal, 5 chains (330 ft; 100 m) slow
Length	41 ft 0 in (12.50 m) over buffers
Width	8 ft 11 1⁄4 in (2.72 m)
Height	12 ft 7 5⁄8 in (3.85 m)
Axle load	17 tons 12 cwt (39,400 lb or 17.9 t) full
Weight on drivers	52 tons 13 cwt (117,900 lb or 53.5 t) full
Locomotive weight	78 tons 9 cwt (175,700 lb or 79.7 t) full
Fuel type	Coal
Water capacity	2,000 imp gal (9,100 l; 2,400 US gal)
Boiler pressure	225 lbf/in² (1.55 MPa)
Firegrate area	20.35 sq ft (1.891 m2)
Heating surface: Tubes	1,145.00 sq ft (106.374 m2)
Heating surface: Firebox	121.80 sq ft (11.316 m2)
Superheater type	4-element or 6-element
Superheater area	4-element: 58.56 sq ft (5.440 m2), 6-element: 77.68 sq ft (7.217 m2)
Cylinders	Two, outside
Cylinder size	18 × 30 in (457 × 762 mm)
Valve gear	Stephenson
Valve type	Piston valves
Tractive effort	27,340 lbf (121.61 kN)
Career	GWR » BR
Class	6100
Power class	GWR: D BR:4MT
Number	6100–6169
Axle load class	GWR: Blue
Withdrawn	1958–1965
Disposition	One preserved, remainder scrapped

The GWR 6100 Class is a class of prairie tank locomotives, designed by Charles Collett, and of the 2-6-2T arrangement.

They were introduced in 1931 and were a straightforward development of the earlier 5101 class (and for that matter the 1905 3100 class) with little more than an increased boiler pressure of 225 psi (1.55 MPa) to distinguish them from their ancestors.

There were seventy in the class, built in two batches in 1931–1933 and 1935. They were frequently referred to by trainspotters as 'Tanner One-ers'- being a reference to their '61xx' numbering sequence using colloquial terms for a sixpence and a penny.

Service

6165 at Reading with train of mineral wagons in May 1964

The class was specifically built for commuter services in the London area where they replaced the ageing 2221 class on these services. They lasted to the end of steam on the Western Region of British Railways in 1965, never straying far from their home turf. Typical duties were Paddington to Aylesbury via High Wycombe, and from the same terminus to Oxford, Windsor, Reading and Basingstoke. They were mainly shedded at Old Oak Common, Southall, Slough, Reading and Aylesbury throughout their lives. In the early 1960s, the advent of the first generation diesel multiple units made them semi-redundant though generally far from worn out. Their last few years saw them on more menial duties, as in the adjacent photograph, until scrapping.

Preservation

6106 at Didcot

One, 6106, has survived into preservation, and is at Didcot Railway Centre, though currently non-operational.

Models

The erstwhile Kitmaster company produced an unpowered polystyrene injection moulded model kit for 00 gauge. In late 1962, the Kitmaster brand was sold by its parent company (Rosebud Dolls) to Airfix, who transferred the moulding tools to their own factory; they re-introduced some of the former Kitmaster range, including this model. The tools were subsequently sold again to Dapol who have also produced this model.

Triang also produced a powered model of 6157 in TT scale

References

• Whitehurst, Brian (1973). Great Western engines, names, numbers, types, classes: 1940 to preservation. Oxford Publishing. pp. 56, 102, 136. ISBN 0-902888-21-8. OCLC 815661. 

External links

• Rail UK database entry for 6100 Class