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GWR 6100 Class

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GWR 6100 Class
6147 at Swindon Works on 26 April 1964 after overhaul
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerCharles Collett
BuilderGWR Swindon Works
Order numberLots 269, 278, 291
Build date1931–1933, 1935
Total produced70
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte2-6-2T
 • UIC1′C1′ h2t
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Leading dia.3 ft 2 in (0.965 m)
Driver dia.5 ft 8 in (1.727 m)
Trailing dia.3 ft 8 in (1.118 m)
Minimum curve6 chains (396 ft; 121 m) normal,
5 chains (330 ft; 101 m) slow
Length41 ft 0 in (12.50 m) over buffers
Width8 ft 11+14 in (2.724 m)
Height12 ft 7+58 in (3.851 m)
Axle load17 long tons 12 cwt (39,400 lb or 17.9 t)
19.7 short tons full
Adhesive weight52 long tons 13 cwt (117,900 lb or 53.5 t)
58.9 short tons full
Loco weight78 long tons 9 cwt (175,700 lb or 79.7 t)
87.9 short tons full
Fuel typeCoal
Water cap.2,000 imp gal (9,100 L; 2,400 US gal)
Firebox:
 • Grate area20.35 sq ft (1.891 m2)
Boiler pressure225 lbf/in2 (1.55 MPa)
Heating surface:
 • Firebox121.80 sq ft (11.316 m2)
 • Tubes1,145.00 sq ft (106.374 m2)
Superheater:
 • Type4-element or 6-element
 • Heating area4-element: 58.56 sq ft (5.440 m2),
6-element: 77.68 sq ft (7.217 m2)
CylindersTwo, outside
Cylinder size18 in × 30 in (457 mm × 762 mm)
Valve gearStephenson
Valve typepiston valves
Performance figures
Tractive effort27,340 lbf (121.61 kN)
Career
OperatorsGWR » BR
Class6100
Power classGWR: D
BR: 4MT
Numbers6100–6169
Axle load classGWR: Blue
Withdrawn1958–1965
DispositionOne preserved, remainder scrapped

The GWR 6100 Class is a class of 2-6-2T side tank steam locomotives.

History

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6165 at Reading with train of mineral wagons in May 1964

The class was designed by Charles Collett and introduced in 1931, and were a straightforward development of the earlier 5101 class (and for that matter the 1905 3100/5100 class). The main difference from their predecessors was an increased boiler pressure of 225 psi (1.55 MPa) with a consequent increase in tractive effort.[1]

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.

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.[1]

Table of orders and numbers[2]
Year Quantity Lot No. Locomotive numbers Notes
1931 30 269 6100–6129
1932–33 30 278 6130–6159
1935 10 291 6160–6169

Preservation

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6106 at Didcot in 2023.

One locomotive, 6106, has survived into preservation, and is at Didcot Railway Centre, though currently non-operational.[3]

Model railways

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The erstwhile Kitmaster company produced an unpowered polystyrene injection moulded model kit for OO 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.[4][page needed] Mainline Railways had OO gauge Class 6100 models in their catalogue in 1983, with models in GWR green and BR lined green.[5] Dapol announced in 2017 that it was producing a completely new OO gauge model of the class.[6] Hornby Railways is also retooling their OO gauge model of this class.[7]

For some time Graham Farish have produced a British N gauge model, it is dated compared with more modern models and its driving wheels are scale for the 3100 class, i.e. 5 feet 3 inches, but is still a reasonable representation which forms a good base to add detail to.[citation needed]

Triang also produced a powered model of 6157 in TT scale.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b le Fleming (1962), pp. J33–J34.
  2. ^ Allcock et al. (1968), pp. 36–37.
  3. ^ "6106 - 61xx Class". Didcot Railway Centre. Retrieved 2 November 2008.
  4. ^ Knight, Stephen (1999). Let's Stick Together: An Appreciation of Kitmaster and Airfix Railway Kits. Clopthill: Irwell Press. ISBN 1-871608-90-2.
  5. ^ "Mainline's big plans for 1983". Rail Enthusiast. EMAP National Publications. March 1983. pp. 36–7. ISSN 0262-561X. OCLC 49957965.
  6. ^ "Proud to announce the launch of the all new OO Gauge GWR Large Prairie 2-6-2 Locomotive". Dapol. December 2017.
  7. ^ "GWR, Class 61xx 'Large Prairie', 2-6-2T, 6110 - Era 3". Hornby.
  8. ^ "Triang TT Locomotives". Archived from the original on 8 June 2009.
  • 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. (February 1962). White, D.E. (ed.). The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part nine: Standard Two-Cylinder Classes. RCTS.
  • Whitehurst, Brian (1973). Great Western Engines, Names, Numbers, Types and Classes (1940 to Preservation). Oxford, UK: Oxford Publishing Company. pp. 56, 102, 136. ISBN 978-0-9028-8821-0. OCLC 815661.
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