GWR 4575 Class

The Great Western Railway (GWR) 4575 Class is a class of 2-6-2T British steam locomotives.

History

They were designed as small mixed traffic branch locomotives, mainly used on branch lines. They were a development of Churchward's 4500 Class with larger side tanks and increased water capacity.^[2] 100 were built numbered 4575–4599 and 5500–5574. 15 (Nos. 4578/81/89, 5511/24/29/34/35/45/55/59/60/68/72/74) were fitted with auto apparatus in 1953 to enable them to run push-pull trains on South Wales lines with auto trailers.^[2]

They often are referred to as Small Prairie Class tank locomotives.

Preservation

11 members of the class have been preserved:

Two members of the class have also briefly been out on the mainline: 5521 and 5572. 5521 was shipped to Poland to take part in the Wolsztyn Parade, as well as briefly piloting the Orient Express. 5572 made an appearance at an open day in Reading as part of the GWR150 celebrations in 1985, arriving under its own power. When returning to Didcot again under its own power the engine also hauled the replica broad gauge locomotive "Iron Duke" alongside the preserved GWR Railcar W22W.

Models and toys

Lima made a model of the 4575 class, number 4589, in GWR green, also a British Railways black-liveried version, running number 5574.Bachmann Branchline have for many years made various versions of the 4575 Class.

See also

• GWR 4400 Class
• GWR 4500 Class
• List of GWR standard classes with two outside cylinders

References

1. Champ (2018), p. 319.
2. le Fleming (1962), pp. J46–J50.
3. Allcock et al. (1968), p. 35.
4. "South Devon Railway 4588 page". Archived from the original on 20 September 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
5. "Great Western Railway 4575 class 2-6-2T locomotive, 5521". Epping Ongar Railway. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
6. "The Flour Mill 5521 page".
7. "Llangollen Railway 5532 Page".
8. "The Flour Mill Projects page".
9. "Llangollen Railway 5539 Page". Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
10. "Dean Forest Locomotive Group 5541 Page".
11. "5542 Web site". Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
12. "Bodmin and Wenford Stock List - 5552". Archived from the original on 9 April 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
13. "5572 - 2-6-2T".

• 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.
• Champ, Jim (2018). An Introduction to Great Western Locomotive Development. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Transport. ISBN 978-1-4738-7784-9. OCLC 1029234106. OL 26953051M.
• le Fleming, H.M. (February 1962). White, D.E. (ed.). The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part nine: Standard Two-Cylinder Classes. RCTS.
• Whitehurst, Brian (1973). Great Western Engines, Names, Numbers, Types and Classes (1940 to Preservation). Oxford, UK: Oxford Publishing Company. pp. 40–41, 50, 102, 137. ISBN 978-0-9028-8821-0. OCLC 815661.

External links

• 4400 / 4500 tank classes
• Class 4575 Details at Rail UK