GWR 2600 Class

GWR 2600 'Aberdare' Class
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer William Dean Build date 1900–1907 Total produced 80
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-6-0 Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Leading dia. 2 ft 8 in (0.813 m) Driver dia. 4 ft 7.5 in (1.410 m) Boiler pressure 200 psi (1.38 MPa) Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 18 in × 26 in (457 mm × 660 mm)
Career Withdrawn 1934 - 1949

The Great Western Railway (GWR) 2600 Class or Aberdare Class was a class of 2-6-0 steam locomotive built between 1900 and 1907. They were a freight version of the 3300 and 4120 classes, both 4-4-0 locomotives. Therefore they were adapted and became 2-6-0 engines and were used for hauling coal trains between Aberdare and Swindon.

Numbering

The class began in 1900 with a prototype, No. 33, renumbered 2600 in 1912. The rest were numbered 2601-2680 and were built between 1901 and 1907.

British Railways

British Railways (BR) inherited nos. 2612/20/3/43/51/5/6/62/5/7/9/80 in 1948. By 31 August 1948, only four were left: nos. 2620, 2651, 2655, 2667.

Withdrawal

'Aberdare' No. 2636 passing Swindon 23 April 1946 a few months prior to withdrawal

They were withdrawn from 1934 onwards. 5 Aberdares (2640, 2648, 2649, 2652 & 2657) withdrawn in early 1939 were not cut up but stored as Second World War reserves. These five reentered service by January 1940. Their withdrawal began again in 1944 until the last member, number 2667, was withdrawn in October 1949. None of the Aberdare class engines were preserved.

External links

• 2600 'Aberdare' class