GWR 481 Class

The GWR 481 Class was a class of 20 2-4-0 mixed-traffic steam locomotives designed for the Great Western Railway by Joseph Armstrong and built at Swindon Works in 1869. They were similar in size to the 439 Class but differed in appearance, thanks to the flowing lines of their outside frames.

GWR 481 Class
No. 592
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerJoseph Armstrong
BuilderGWR Swindon works
Order number20
Serial number195–214
Build date1869
Total produced20
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte2-4-0
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Fuel typeCoal
Cylinderstwo
Cylinder size(?)
Career
OperatorsGWR
Retired1904–1921

Numbering

The class was originally numbered (in order of construction): 481-490 and 1122–1131. After the 1870 locomotive stocktake, six of the locomotives in the duplicate list (1122–1127) were renumbered into the capital list as 587-592 to replace withdrawn broad-gauge locomotives; the other four duplicates (1128–1131) replaced standard-gauge locomotives as numbers 12, 19, 20, 54.[1]

Northern division engines

Three of the class - Nos. 12, 19 and 20, which always remained in the Northern Division - were reboilered at Wolverhampton Works under George Armstrong between 1880 and 1890. Furthermore, in 1895 No. 20 was completely renewed at Swindon, as a larger locomotive, joining the 439 Class.

Southern division engines

The remaining engines were allocated to the Southern Division, working to South Wales and Weymouth, and then between Salisbury and Bristol. All were completely renewed at Swindon in 1887–90, using very little of the original locomotives. They were now "very neat little engines"; at this time William Dean added a completely new member of the class, numbered 28. Around 1900 the renewed engines were relegated to secondary duties, and were subsequently withdrawn between 1904 and 1921. No. 485 ran nearly 1,500,000 miles (2,400,000 km).[2]

References
  1. Allcock et al. (1968), p. 9.
  2. Tabor (1956), pp. D28–D30.
  • 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.
  • Tabor, F.J. (February 1956). White, D.E. (ed.). The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part four: Six-wheeled Tender Engines. Kenilworth: RCTS.
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