GWR 4600 Class

The Great Western Railway (GWR) 4600 Class is a (single-locomotive) class of 4-4-2T steam locomotive.

GWR 4600 Class
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer George Jackson Churchward Builder Swindon Works Build date 1913 Total produced 1
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-4-2T Gauge 4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 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 2 in (0.965 m) Length 36 ft 11 ^3⁄4 in (11.271 m) Loco weight 60 long tons 12 cwt (61.6 t; 67.9 short tons) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 3 long tons (3.0 t; 3.4 short tons) Water cap 1,100 imp gal (5,000 l; 1,300 US gal) Firebox type Belpaire  • Firegrate area 93.85 sq ft (8.719 m^2) Boiler Standard No 5 Boiler pressure 200 psi (1.4 MPa) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 17 in × 24 in (432 mm × 610 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 18,360 lbf (81.7 kN)
Career Operators Great Western Railway Class 4600 Power class GWR: A Axle load class GWR: Blue Withdrawn 1925 Disposition Scrapped

It was designed as light suburban locomotive, based on the successful 4500 class 2-6-2T engines. Compared with these, it had larger (and fewer) coupled wheels, intended to allow higher speeds with local trains. The only example built spent most of its career in the Birmingham area, and was not considered a success. The limited adhesion and restricted tank capacity meant that it did not improve on the 4500 class, and the larger 2-6-2T classes handled the suburban traffic better. It was withdrawn in 1925 and scrapped.[1][2]

See also

• List of GWR standard classes with two outside cylinders

Notes

1. Haresnape & Swain (1976), pp. 94–95.
2. Holcroft (1957), p. 137.

References

• Haresnape, Brian; Swain, Alec (1976). Churchward locomotives : a pictorial history. London: I. Allan. ISBN 0711006970.
• Holcroft, Harold (1957). An Outline of Great Western Railway Locomotive Practice. London: Locomotive Publishing Co Ltd.

External links

• Photograph of 4600 at Birmingham Moor Street station
• A Beginner's Guide to GWR 4-coupled tanks (includes works photo of 4600)