GWR 322 Class (tank engine)

GWR 322 Class (tank engine)

Type and origin Power type Steam Designer George Armstrong Builder GWR Wolverhampton works Build date 1878-1885 Total produced 6

Specifications Configuration 0-6-0ST Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Fuel type coal Cylinders two

Career Operators GWR

The GWR 322 Class tank engines comprised six Great Western Railway outside-framed 0-6-0 steam locomotives, originally built by Beyer, Peacock and Company as 322 class tender engines, and subsequently rebuilt in 1878-85 as saddle tank locomotives by George Armstrong at Wolverhampton Works.

Numbering

They were numbered in sequence as 322-327, No. 323 having exchanged numbers with No. 359, No. 325 with No.337, and No. 327 with No. 366.

Rebuilding

From 1918 all apart from No. 324 became pannier tanks, when they were reboilered with Belpaire fireboxes. No. 322 was the only one ever to have a fully enclosed cab.

Use

They were principally stationed in the Birmingham/Wolverhampton area, and at Stourbridge, and including their previous existence as tender engines all ran over a million miles up to their withdrawal between 1921 and 1932.