4575 2-6-2T GWR Modified 4500 class 4575 – 4599 & 5500 – 5574

4575 large

     Power Classification 4MT reclassified 3MT in 1953
Introduced 1927 – 1929
Designer Churchward , Collett
Company GWR
Weight 61t 0cwt
Driving Wheels 4ft 7.5ins
Boiler Pressure 200psi superheated
Cylinders Outside – 17in x 24in
Tractive Effort 21,250lbf
Valve Gear Stephenson (piston valve)

These engines (4575–4599 and 5500–5574) were developed from the 4500 class with larger side tanks which had sloping tops to increase water capacity.

 4500 small 4500 class
 4575 4575 class

The class worked extensively in Wales and the West of England. One of the star turns of the class was hauling part of the Cambrian Coast Express to Pwllheli in the 1950s and 1960s, as well as parts of the Cornish Riviera Express. Despite their apparently small size, they were capable of good acceleration, and could haul passenger trains of up to 11 coaches.

A number were fitted with auto apparatus in 1953 to enable them to run push-pull trains on South Wales lines with auto trailers.

Date

 Numbers Built Quantity Withdrawals

No. in Service
1927 4575-99/5500-24        50              50
1928 5525-64        40              90
1929 5565-74        10            100
1930-55            100
1956              2              98
1957              5              93
1958            16              77
1959            10              67
1960            27              40
1961              8              32
1962            16              16
1963              5              11
1964            11                0

The first withdrawal of the 4575 class was 4586 in 1956 whilst the last eleven remained in service until 1964. Of the eleven withdrawn in 1964 six were based at Southall, two each at Yeovil Town and Gloucester and one at Taunton. No fewer than 11 of these tank engines survived.

Preservation

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