GWR 5400 Class

Infobox Locomotive
powertype=Steam
name = GWR 5400 Class


caption =
designer = Collett
builder = GWR
builddate = 1930
totalproduction = 25
whytetype = 0-6-0PT
gauge = 4' 8½"
leadingsize =
driversize = 5' 2" (1.575 m)
length =
weight = 46 long tons 12 cwt (47.3 t)
fueltype = coal
fuelc

waterc

cylindercount = two inside
cylindersize = 16½"x24"
firearea =
boilerpressure = 165 psi (1.14 MPa)
tractiveeffort = 14,780 lbf (65.7 kN)
railroadclass= 1P|

The Great Western Railway (GWR) 5400 Class is a class of 0-6-0 pannier tank steam locomotive. They were similar in appearance to many other GWR tank engines but smaller than the ubiquitous GWR 5700 Class.

The nominally Collett-designed 5400 Class had 5' 2" driving wheels for greater top speed with autocoaches, and were all fitted with the required remote control gear for working the push-pull autotrains. They had a modern cab and a larger bunker. They were frequently seen on inner suburban routes from Paddington.

History

The 5400 class was related to the GWR 2021 Class saddle tank, designed by William Dean and built at Wolverhampton railway works. This was a light compact design with 4' 1½" wheels, itself derived from the smaller Armstrong GWR 850 Class dating back to 1874.

The class pioneer was not a new engine at all, rather it was a 1930 rebuild of 2021 tank 2080. It merely had substitute larger wheels and splashers and a larger bunker, whereas the new locos built from 1931 onwards had the rounded-edge cab as well. This cab style was to be fitted to all subsequent GWR pannier tank designs including the later derivations of the 5700 Class.

Despite its success, the protoype had a short life as number 5400, lasting only two years before scrapping. It was replaced with an all-new engine with the same number. Twenty-five locomotives were built and they were numbered 5400-5424.

GWR 6400 and 7400 classes

The GWR 6400 Class and 7400 Class that followed were closely related, fundamentally differing only in wheel size (4' 7½") and a higher boiler pressure of 180 psi (1.24 MPa). This produced two general purpose classes with wide route availability. The 6400 was auto-fitted but more suitable for hilly routes than the 5400. The 7400 was not auto-fitted.

ee also

* GWR 0-6-0PT – "list of classes of GWR 0-6-0 pannier tank, including table of preserved locomotives"

External links

5400 Class
* http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/m_in_060_5400.htm
* http://www.hmilburn.easynet.co.uk/enthuse/steam/locos/gwr/5400.htm

General
* [http://www.gwr.org.uk/nopanniers.html Guide to GWR Pannier Tank Classes]