GWR 28XX 2807 at Pickering

 

The class was designed by G.J. Churchward for heavy freight work. They were the first 2-8-0 class in Great Britain.
The prototype, originally numbered 97 but later renumbered 2800, appeared in 1903. Construction of the production series commenced in 1905 and continued until 1919.

 

 

Here 2807 takes water at Pickering

 

 

The first in class undertook two years of trials before going into production. Initial results suggested that only the front end needed further development. Initially the boiler pressure of the 2-8-0 was set at 200 lbf/in² (1.4 MPa) with 18-inch (457 mm) diameter cylinders. Tractive effort started out at 29,775 lbf (132.45 kN) but was increased substantially in the production engines by enlarging the cylinder diameter to 18 ¹⁄₂ in (470 mm) and raising the steam pressure to 225 lbf/in² (1.55 MPa). The 8 ¹⁄₂ in (216 mm) piston valves were enlarged to 10 in (254 mm).

 

The inside Stephenson link motion can be seen here

 

Inside Stephenson valve gear operates through the

rocker shaft seen here to the outside piston valves

 

Stephenson valve gear was always favoured by

Swindon for all the GWR goods engines

 

Built in 1905, and salvaged from Woodhams yard in 1981. No. 2807 has been restored to running order and is in service on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway