GWR 517 Class

The 517 Class were small 0-4-2T tank engines designed by George Armstrong for local passenger work on the Great Western Railway. They were built at Wolverhampton Works and were outshopped between 1868 and 1885. They were built in thirteen lots commencing with 517–528 and ending with 1477–1488 in 1884–1885.

GWR 517 class
1165 at Trumpers Crossing Halte station
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer George Armstrong Builder GWR Wolverhampton Works Order number Lots D, E, F, G, H, I, R, S, W, Z, C2, M2, P2 Build date 1868–1885 Total produced 156
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-4-2T  • UIC B1 n2t Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Driver dia. 5 ft 0 in (1.524 m) or 5 ft 2 in (1.575 m) Trailing dia. 3 ft 8 in (1.118 m) Wheelbase 15 ft 6 in (4.72 m) Length 28 ft 4+5⁄8 in (8.65 m) Width 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) Height 12 ft 1+5⁄8 in (3.70 m) Axle load 12 long tons 16 cwt (28,700 lb or 13 t) 13.0 t; 14.3 short tons full Adhesive weight 24 long tons 16 cwt (55,600 lb or 25.2 t) 25.2 t; 27.8 short tons full Loco weight 35 long tons 4 cwt (78,800 lb or 35.8 t) 35.8 t; 39.4 short tons full Fuel type Coal Water cap. 620 imp gal (2,800 L; 740 US gal) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 12.83 sq ft (1.192 m2) Boiler GWR 517 GWR 2021 Boiler pressure 150 psi (10.34 bar; 1.03 MPa) or 165 psi (1.14 MPa) Heating surface: ​  • Firebox 83.14 sq ft (7.724 m2)  • Tubes 904.47 sq ft (84.028 m2) Superheater None Cylinders Two, inside Cylinder size 15 in × 24 in (381 mm × 610 mm), later 16 in × 24 in (406 mm × 610 mm) Valve gear Stephenson Valve type Slide valves
Performance figures Tractive effort 12,635–14,780 lbf (56.20–65.74 kN)
Career Operators Great Western Railway Class 517 Power class Unclassified Axle load class Unclassified Withdrawn 1904–1945 Disposition All scrapped

Dimensions

The class was far from uniform and encompassed three different wheelbases, saddle and side tanks, and various boilers to name just a few variations. Driving wheels were 5 ft 0 in (1.524 m) (later 5 ft 2 in or 1.575 m due to thicker tyres), cylinders 15 in × 24 in (381 mm × 610 mm), (later 16 in × 24 in or 406 mm × 610 mm) and boiler pressure 150 psi (1.03 MPa) (later 165 psi or 1.14 MPa).

Summary table

Table of GWR 517 class orders

Year	Lot	Quantity	GWR No.	Wheelbase	Trailing axleboxes	Tanks
1868	D	6	517–522	13 ft 7 in (4.14 m)	Inside	Saddle
1868	D	6	523–528	13 ft 8 in (4.17 m)
1868–69	E	12	529–540
1869	F	12	541–552
1869	G	12	553–564	14 ft 8 in (4.47 m)
1869–70	H	6	565–570
1870	H	6	571–576			Side
1873–74	R	12	826–837	15 ft 0 in (4.57 m)
1874–75	S	12	838–849
1875–76	W	12	1154–1165
1876	Z	12	202–205, 215–222
1877	I	12	1421–1432
1877–78	C2	12	1433–1444
1883	M2	12	1465–1476
1884–85	P2	6	1477–1482
1885	P2	6	1483–1488	15 ft 6 in (4.72 m)	Outside

When new, the first sixty were numbered 1040–87 (Lots D to G inclusive) and 1100–11 (Lot H); they were renumbered 517–576 in July 1870.

History

1473 Fair Rosamund

The earlier ones were rebuilt from saddle tanks while the later ones were built as side tanks from the beginning. The 3571 Class were very closely related, its prototype being a minor rebuild of 517 class No. 1477 in 1895. Then ten new locos followed in the next two years. Returning to the 517 class, various bunker and cab combinations also evolved, and after their last rebuilding, the locos with enclosed cabs and large bunkers were effectively the progenitors of Collett's 4800 class. In 1898, No. 1473 was named Fair Rosamund, to work a royal train on the Blenheim and Woodstock branch line. The locomotive was then regularly used for the Woodstock branch in subsequent years.

The Armstrong brothers

The independence of the brothers Armstrong is aptly symbolised by the fact that Joseph at Swindon preferred the 2-4-0T wheel arrangement (the 455 Class "Metro" Tanks) to the 0-4-2; George, on the other hand, built no 2-4-0Ts at Wolverhampton.

Use

In the 19th century, the 517s were principally Northern Division engines, and when new worked the Birmingham and Wolverhampton suburban traffic. Under Churchward the situation changed: about half of the class was fitted for autotrain working, and these engines were regularly maintained and moved around the system where needed; while the other, unconverted engines were demoted and became little more than shunters. Nevertheless as late as the 1920s the class was found in almost all parts of the GWR system. Most of the class ran between a million and a million and a half miles (2,400,000 km), No. 1163 holding the record at 1,652,661. None of the 517s were preserved, the last survivor No. 848 being scrapped in 1945 at the age of 70.

Coachwork

When autotrains were introduced on the GWR, a trial was made of enclosing the engine in coachwork to resemble the coaches. Nos 533 and 833 of this class were so equipped in 1906, as were two 2021 class 0-6-0Ts. The experiment was unpopular with engine crews, and the bodywork was removed in 1911.

Accidents and incidents

• On 15 April 1923, locomotive No. 215 was hauling Autocoach No. 70 when it was in a head-on collision with a goods train, hauled by GWR 4000 Class 4-6-0 No. 4048 Princess Victoria, at Curry Rivel, Somerset due to a signalman's error. Nine people were injured.

References

• Casserley, H. C. & Johnston, Stuart W. (1966). Locomotives at the Grouping 4: Great Western Railway. Shepperton, Middlesex: Ian Allan Limited. pp. 20–21.
• Champ, Jim (2018). An Introduction to Great Western Locomotive Development. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Transport. ISBN 978-1-4738-7784-9. OCLC 1029234106. OL 26953051M.
• Holcroft, Harold (1971) [1957]. An Outline of Great Western Locomotive Practice 1837-1947. Shepperton: Ian Allan. ISBN 0-7110-0228-2.
• Tabor, F.J. (1959). The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part six: Four-coupled Tank Engines. RCTS.
• Vaughan, Adrian (1989). Obstruction Danger. Wellingborough: Patrick Stephens Limited. ISBN 1-85260-055-1.
• Whitehurst, Brian (1973). Great Western Engines, Names, Numbers, Types and Classes (1940 to Preservation). Oxford, UK: Oxford Publishing Company. pp. 16, 17, 102, 125. ISBN 978-0-9028-8821-0. OCLC 815661.