GWR 2600 'Aberdare' Class
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerWilliam Dean
BuilderGWR Swindon Works
Order numberLots 123, 128, 131, 133, 135, 156, 166
Build date1900–1907
Total produced81
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte2-6-0
 • UIC1′C n2
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Leading dia.2 ft 8 in (0.813 m)
Driver dia.4 ft 7+1⁄2 in (1.410 m)
Firebox:​
 • Grate area20.4 sq ft (1.90 m2)
Boiler
  • GWR Standard No. 2
  • Standard No. 4
Boiler pressure200 psi (1.38 MPa)
CylindersTwo, inside
Cylinder size18 in × 26 in (457 mm × 660 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort25,800 lbf (114.76 kN)
Career
OperatorsGreat Western Railway, British Railways
Numbers2600–2679
Withdrawn1934–1949
DispositionAll scrapped

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 4100 classes, both 4-4-0 locomotives. Therefore, the design was adapted and became a 2-6-0 type; the resulting locomotives 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.

Table of orders and numbers[1]
YearQuantityLots No.Serial Nos.Locomotive Nos.Notes
19001128188633renumbered 2600 in 1912
1901201311908–19272621–2640
1901–02201331929–19482641–2680
1902201351949–19682661–2680
1903101231796–18052611–2620Lot and serial numbers out of sequence
1906115621252601
19069166—2602–2610Renewal of 2602 Kruger class locomotives

British Railways

British Railways (BR) inherited nos. 2612/20/3/43/51/5/6/62/5/7/9/80 in 1948.[2] By 31 August 1948, only four were left: nos. 2620, 2651, 2655, 2667.[3]

Withdrawal

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

They were withdrawn from 1934 onwards. Five Aberdares (2640, 2648, 2649, 2652 & 2657) withdrawn in early 1939 were not cut up but stored as Second World War reserves.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 Their withdrawal began again in 1944 until the last member, number 2667, was withdrawn in October 1949. No examples were preserved.

References

  1. ↑ Allcock et al. (1968), pp. 23, 29–30.
  2. ↑ le Fleming (1954), p. G43.
  3. ↑ British Railways Locomotives 1948, Part 1. London: Ian Allan. 1948. pp. 11, 17.
  • Allcock, N. J.; Davies, F. K.; le Fleming, H. M.; Maskelyne, J. N.; Reed, P. J. T.; Tabor, F. J. (1968) [1951]. White, D. E. (ed.). The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part one: Preliminary Survey. Kenilworth: RCTS.
  • le Fleming, H.M. (October 1954). White, D.E. (ed.). The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part seven: Dean's Larger Tender Engines. Kenilworth: RCTS. ISBN 0-901115-18-5. OCLC 655235293.
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