GWR 3901 Class

The Great Western Railway (GWR) 3901 Class is a class of 2-6-2T steam locomotives rebuilt from class 2301 'Dean Goods' 0-6-0 tender locomotives.

This article is about the class of 2-6-2T locomotives from 1907. In 1946/7 a number of Hall class locomotives were temporarily converted to oil firing, during which time they were renumbered into the 3900 range[1].

GWR 3901 Class
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerWilliam Dean, rebuilt by George Jackson Churchward
BuilderSwindon Works
Order numberLot 167
Serial numbernot issued[2]
Build date1907
Total produced20
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte2-6-2T
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Leading dia.3 ft 2 in (0.965 m)
Driver dia.5 ft 2 in (1.575 m)
Trailing dia.3 ft 2 in (0.965 m)
Fuel typeCoal
Water cap.1,500 imp gal (6,800 L; 1,800 US gal)
BoilerStandard No 5
Boiler pressure200 psi (1.4 MPa)
CylindersTwo, inside
Cylinder size17 in × 24 in (432 mm × 610 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort20,155 lbf (89.65 kN)
Career
OperatorsGreat Western Railway
Class3900
Power classGWR: B
Axle load classGWR: Blue
Withdrawn1931–1934
DispositionScrapped

In 1907, a surplus of Dean Goods locomotives, and a requirement for more suburban tank locos, led to the rebuilding of twenty of the Dean Goods into 2-6-2T 'Prairie' tank locos. The inside cylinders and motion were retained, the frames were extended at each end, and leading and trailing pony trucks added, as were a Standard number 5 boiler, full-length side tanks (with a large cut-out to give access for oiling the motion) and a bunker. Locomotives 2491-2510 were rebuilt and renumbered 3901–3920. The locomotives were allocated to the Birmingham area to replace older 2-4-2T locomotives, having the advantage of greater adhesive weight.[3][4][5][6][7][8]

Most remained in the Birmingham area until 1923, when they began to be sent elsewhere, and replaced by the Large Prairies. All the class was withdrawn between 1931 and 1934, and scrapped.[8]

Notes
  1. Haresnape (1978), p. 33.
  2. Allcock et al. (1968), p. 30.
  3. Haresnape & Swain (1976), pp. 102–103.
  4. Holcroft (1957), p. 103.
  5. Ferris (2015a).
  6. Ferris (2015b).
  7. Ferris (2015c).
  8. Tyseley Shed (2015).

References
  • Allcock, N. J.; Davies, F. K.; le Fleming, H. M.; Maskelyne, J. N.; Reed, P. J. T.; Tabor, F. J. White, D. E. (ed.). The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part one: Preliminary Survey. Kenilworth: RCTS.
  • Ferris, Robert (2015a). "Birmingham Snow Hill Station: gwrbsh1765". WarwickshireRailways.com. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  • Ferris, Robert (2015b). "Birmingham Snow Hill Station: gwrbsh1766". WarwickshireRailways.com. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  • Ferris, Robert (2015c). "Birmingham Snow Hill Station: gwrbsh1791". WarwickshireRailways.com. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  • Haresnape, Brian; Swain, Alec (1976). Churchward locomotives : a pictorial history. London: I. Allan. ISBN 0-7110-0697-0.
  • Haresnape, Brian (1978). Collett & Hawksworth locomotives : a pictorial history. London: I. Allan. ISBN 0-7110-0869-8.
  • Holcroft, Harold (1957). An Outline of Great Western Railway Locomotive Practice. London: Locomotive Publishing Co Ltd.
  • "Tyseley Shed: gwrt2388". WarwickshireRailways.com. 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2021.


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