GWR 4400 Class

GWR 4400 Class
4402 at Swindon 1950 awaiting scrapping
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer George Jackson Churchward Builder Wolverhampton Works (10) Swindon Works (1) Serial number Wolverhampton: 765–774 Swindon: 2023 Build date 1905–1906, 1914 Total produced 11
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-6-2T Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Driver dia. 4 ft 1 1⁄2 in (1,257 mm) Loco weight 56 long tons 13 cwt (57.6 t) (63.4 short tons) Fuel type Coal Boiler pressure 180 lbf/in2 (1.24 MPa) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 17 in × 24 in (432 mm × 610 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 21,440 lbf (95.37 kN)
Career Operators Great Western Railway Western Region of British Railways Withdrawn December 1949 – September 1955 Disposition All scrapped
Sources for technical data:

The Great Western Railway (GWR) 4400 Class was a class of 2-6-2T side tank steam locomotive.

They were introduced in 1904 for work on small branch lines. The 4500 class was a later development with larger driving wheels. The 4400s were particularly used in hilly districts, notably the Princetown and Much Wenlock Branches. All were withdrawn and scrapped between 1949 and 1955.

The 4400, 4500 and 4575 classes, which all had 24 in (610 mm) stroke cylinders, the Standard 5 boiler and driving wheels under 5 ft (1.524 m), were collectively known as "Small Prairies", as opposed to the 5100, 3150, 5101, 6100, 3100 and 8100 classes, with 30 in (762 mm) stroke cylinders, Standard 2 or 4 boilers and driving wheels over 5 ft (1.524 m), known as "Large Prairies".