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1600 tank class introduction

Running numbers: 1600 - 1669.

Built:   1949-50  (1600 - 1629) to lot number 381.
          1951      (1630 - 1649) to lot number 389.
          1954-55 (1650 - 1669) to lot number 417.

        Although the '1600' class locomotives were built in British Railways ownership, the style is pure Great Western. The class were descendants of the '2021' class of 1901 and fitted with 4 feet 1½ inch driving '1600' class number 1609wheels. Spherical joints were fitted to the rear pair of coupling rods to allow a small degree of sideways movement. With the designed height kept to a minimum, the class were useful on low clearance routes and dock workings.

Withdrawal.
        As with many other steam locomotives built at this time, the class was introduced at the eleventh hour for this type of motive power and withdrawals began all too early. In this case, the first engine withdrawn was number 1600 in March 1959, whilst number 1628 soldiered on until September 1966. The worst case of waste of the class, was number 1652 based at Swansea East dock: built in December 1954 and withdrawn in January 1960 - barely 5 years old.

Preservation.
        Happily one engine managed to avoid the cutters torch, number 1638.

Specifications.

Cylinders (2) 16½ x 24 inches Driving wheel diameter 4 feet 1½ inches
Boiler type Number 16. Tractive Effort 18,510 pounds
Boiler pressure 165 lbs/square inch. Total weight 41.6 tons


    

1361 tank class introduction    1366 tank class introduction     1500 tank class introduction     Details: 1600 tank class, 1600 to 1669

2251 tender class introduction    5400 tank class introduction     5700 tank class introduction     9400 tank class introduction

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