3300 'Bulldog' class introduction

Running numbers: 3300 - 3440.

Built:     1895          (3300, rebuild from the 'Duke' class) to lot number 97,
            1896          (3301 - 3305, rebuild from the 'Duke' class) to lot number 102,
            1896-97     (3306 - 3310, rebuild from the 'Duke' class) to lot number 105,
            1898-99     (3311 - 3319, rebuild from the 'Duke' class) to lot number 113,
            1899-1900  (3320 - 3339) to lot number 118,
            1899          (3340) to lot number 120,
            1900          (3341 - 3360) to lot number 124,
            1902-03     (3361 - 3380) to lot number 137,
            1903          (3381 - 3390) to lot number 142,
            1904          (3391 - 3410) to lot number 148,
            1906          (3411 - 3425) to lot number 162,
            1906          (3426 - 3440) to lot number 163,

    The 'Bulldog' class may be divided into two sub-groups:
        Numbers 3300 - 3340 were built with the curved frame similar to the 'Duke' class,
        Numbers 3341 - 3440 were built with the straight frame over the driving wheels.

    The reason for the curved framing was of course to clear the coupling rod heads, but by raising the running plate and squaring it off, the frame became easier and less expensive to build. The first locomotive of the 'Bulldog' class was in fact number 3340 Camel and for a number of years the series were known as the 'Camel' class. Fifteen other locomotives (3441 - 3455) were built with the square framing but with much deeper frames stiffened around the axleboxes. The engines were known as the 'Bird' class, and are detailed separately from this review.

Boilers.
    The rebuilt 'Duke' locomotives were fitted with Standard number 2 tapered boiler, except for number 3306 which was fitted with a parallel boiler. Engine numbers 3320 - 3380 were built with parallel boilers while numbers 3381 - 3410 were built with short cone boilers. Engine numbers 3411 - 3440 were also built with the Standard number 2 tapered boiler.

     All locomotives were fitted with the Standard number 2 tapered boiler by 1912, however some engines were reverted back to the short cone boiler before returning back to the tapered boiler.

    The scrapping of the 3600 'Birdcage' class in the early 1930s produced a surplus of Standard number 3 boiler and since the number 2 was in short supply, 12 engines were so fitted with the number 3 boiler, namely 3306, 3308, 3369, 3374, 3376, 3380, 3383, 3389, 3391, 3395, 3400, 3428 and 3430.

Identification.
    The first locomotive, 'Camel', was built with the engine number on the sides of the smokebox with the engine name together with the Great Western coat of  arms on an oval plate on the cab sides. Engine number 3320 'Avalon' was initially fitted in 1899 with an oval plate on the cab side which incorporated the engine name and number on the outside of the oval together with the G.W. arms in the centre. One year later, standard number plates were fitted to the smokebox saddle then, in 1903, number 3320 was supplied with an early trial pattern of the curved nameplate over the splashers, similar to the later standard design.

    Some engines were given names of towns or cities, e.g. 3387 'Reading', 3388 'Swansea' and 3389 'Taunton'. Unfortunately, some passengers thought that these names were the destinations of the trains and so the names were removed between 1927 and 1931.

Withdrawals.
    The first withdrawals began in August 1929 with number 3320 'Avalon'  whereas the last engine to be withdrawn was number 3377 'Penzance' in March 1951.

Specifications (long cone boiler with superheater).

	Cylinders	(2) 18 x 26 inches	Driving wheel diameter	5 feet 8 inches
	Bogie wheel diameter	3 feet 8 inches	Tractive Effort	21,060 pounds
	Boiler type	Number 2	Boiler maximum dia.	5 feet 0½ inches
	Boiler minimum dia.	4 feet 5 1/8 inches	Fire tubes, no. and dia.	218 x 1 5/8 inches
	Flue tubes, no. and dia.	6 x 5 1/8 inches	Superheater tubes, no. and dia.	36 x 1 inch
	Boiler pressure	200 lbs/square inch.	Boiler length	11 feet 0 inches
	Area of firegrate	20.35 square feet	Heating surfaces, tubes	1,144.94 square feet
	Heating surfaces, firebox	121.8 square feet	Heating surfaces, superheater	82.2 square feet