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GWR 4900 Class

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The Great Western Railway 4900 Class or Hall Class is a class of 4-6-0 mixed-traffic steam locomotives designed by Charles Collett for the Great Western Railway. A total of 259 were built at Swindon Works, numbered 4900–4999, 5900–5999 and 6900–6958. The LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 and LNER Thompson Class B1 both drew heavily on design features of the Hall Class. After nationalisation in 1948, British Railways gave them the power classification 5MT.

GWR 4900 Class
5900 Hinderton Hall at Didcot in 2010
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerCharles Collett
BuilderGWR Swindon Works
Order numberLots 254, 268, 275, 281, 290, 297, 304, 311, 327, 333, 338, 340
Build date1928–1943
Total produced258
RebuilderGWR Swindon Works
Rebuild date1924
Number rebuilt1 (4900 Saint Martin)
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-6-0
 • UIC2′C h2
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Leading dia.3 ft 0 in (0.914 m)
Driver dia.6 ft 0 in (1.829 m)
Minimum curve8 chains (528 ft; 161 m) normal,
7 chains (462 ft; 141 m) slow
Length63 ft 0+1⁄4 in (19.21 m) over buffers
Width8 ft 11+1⁄4 in (2.724 m)
Height13 ft 3+1⁄4 in (4.045 m)
Axle load18 long tons 19 cwt (42,400 lb or 19.3 t)
(21.2 short tons)
Adhesive weight57 long tons 0 cwt (127,700 lb or 57.9 t)
(63.8 short tons)
Loco weight75 long tons 0 cwt (168,000 lb or 76.2 t)
(84.0 short tons)
Tender weight46 long tons 14 cwt (104,600 lb or 47.4 t)
(52.3 short tons)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacityChurchward tender: 7 long tons (7.1 t; 7.8 short tons)
Collett/Hawksworth tender: 6 long tons (6.1 t; 6.7 short tons)
Water cap.Churchward tender: 3,500 imp gal (16,000 L; 4,200 US gal)
Collett/Hawksworth tender: 4,000 imp gal (18,000 L; 4,800 US gal)
Firebox:​
 • Grate area27.07 sq ft (2.515 m2)
BoilerGWR Standard No. 1
Boiler pressure225 lbf/in2 (1,550 kPa; 15.8 kgf/cm2)
Heating surface:​
 • Firebox154.78 sq ft (14.380 m2)
 • Tubes and flues1,686.60 sq ft (156.690 m2)
Superheater:
​
 • Heating area262.62 sq ft (24.398 m2)
CylindersTwo, outside
Cylinder size18.5 in × 30 in (470 mm × 762 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort27,275 lbf (121.33 kN)
Career
OperatorsGWR » BR
Power classGWR: D,
BR: 5MT
Numbers4900–4999, 5900–5999, 6900–6958
Official nameHall
Axle load classGWR: Red
Withdrawn1941 (4911 Bowden Hall, was destroyed beyond repair during a bombing raid and then cut up), 1959–1965 (remainder)
Preserved4920, 4930, 4936, 4942, 4953, 4965, 4979, 5900, 5952, 5967, 5972
DispositionTen preserved or extant (two operational as of March 2021),
one rebuilt as Saint class,
remainder scrapped

Background

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By the end of 1923 the Great Western Railway (GWR) was well served with express passenger locomotives of the Saint and Star classes and had recently introduced the Castle Class. However, the mixed-traffic 2-6-0 locomotives of the 4300 Class were beginning to struggle with the increasing loads. George Jackson Churchward had recognised this with the introduction of the 4700 class 2-8-0 with 5 ft 8 in (1.727 m) driving wheels, intended for express goods and relief passenger trains. However, Charles Collett preferred the idea of a Saint Class with smaller wheels to undertake these duties as this would provide a leading bogie. He therefore rebuilt number 2925 Saint Martin with 6 ft (1.829 m) driving wheels.[1]

Prototype

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The prototype of the new class was rebuilt in 1924 and the cylinders were realigned in relation to the driving axle and a more modern 'Castle'-type cab was fitted. Saint Martin emerged from Swindon Works in 1924 and embarked on three years of trials. During this period Collett introduced other modifications such as changing the pitch of the taper boiler and adding outside steam pipes.[2][3]

Production

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After extensive trials during 1925–1927, Collett was satisfied with the performance of his prototype, subject to minor amendments and placed an order for eighty more with Swindon works (Lot 254) in 1928. The prototype was renumbered 4900 in December 1928 and the new locomotives were numbered 4901-80 and appeared at regular intervals until February 1930.[1] They were named after English and Welsh country houses with 'Hall' in their titles and so became known as the 'Hall Class'.[4]

They differed little from the prototype; the bogie wheel diameter had been reduced by two inches from 3 ft 2 in (0.965 m) to 3 ft 0 in (0.914 m) and the valve setting amended to give an increased travel of 7.5 in (191 mm). The overall weight of the locomotive had increased by 2 long tons 10 cwt (5,600 lb or 2.5 t) to 75 long tons 0 cwt (168,000 lb or 76.2 t) but a tractive effort of 27,275 lbf (121.33 kN) compared favourably with the 24,935 lbf (110.92 kN) of the 'Saint'. The original locomotives were built with Churchward 3,500 imp gal (16,000 L; 4,200 US gal) tenders but after 4958 Collett's larger 4,000 imp gal (18,000 L; 4,800 US gal) types became standard although a few later locomotives were fitted with smaller tenders if these were available as they entered service.[5]

The first fourteen examples were despatched to the arduous proving grounds of the Cornish Main Line. They were so successful here and elsewhere on the GWR system that by the time the first production batch had been completed a further twenty were on order (Lot 268, 4981–99 and 5900). Further orders followed throughout the 1930s and early 1940s. By 1935, 150 were in service and the 259th and last Hall, No. 6958 Oxburgh Hall, was delivered in 1943. Thereafter further deliveries were of the '6959 Modified Hall' class.

Table of orders and numbers[6]
Year Quantity Lot No. Locomotive numbers Notes
1924 01 — 4900 rebuilt from 2925 Saint Martin
1928–30 80 254 4901–4980
1931 20 268 4981–4999, 5900
1931 20 275 5901–5920
1933 20 281 5921–5940
1935 10 290 5941–5950
1935–36 15 297 5951–5965
1937 10 304 5966–5975
1938 10 311 5976–5985
1939–40 10 327 5986–5995
1940 10 333 5996–5999, 6900–6905
1940–41 10 338 6906–6915
1941–43 43 340 6916–6958

Oil firing

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Main article: GWR oil burning steam locomotives

Eleven Hall class locomotives were converted to oil-firing in the period 1946–1950. While in this condition they were renumbered into the 3900 series. When the oil-firing was removed, they reverted to their old numbers.[7] A proposal to convert preserved locomotive 4965 Rood Ashton Hall to oil firing was confirmed in March 2024.[8]

Performance

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As indicated by their continuing production, the Hall class proved to be very successful in a variety of different roles from goods work to passenger services, although barred from several cross-country and branch lines because of their red weight classification.[9] According to Peter Herring, 'they were the first true mixed traffic locomotives, and as such precursors of the Stanier 'Black Five', Thompson B1 and BR Standard 5MT 4-6-0.'[10] (However, while they were forerunners of these highly successful and numerous 4-6-0 types, there were several successful 2-6-0 and 4-6-0 ‘mixed traffic’ types on the GWR and other British railways before them,[11] - not least the GWR 4300 Class they were designed to replace.[12])

Modified Hall Class

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Main article: GWR 6959 Class

Although the GWR had been at the forefront of British locomotive development between 1900 and 1930, the 1930s saw a degree of complacency at Swindon reflected in the fact that the design had largely originated in the 1900s and had not fundamentally changed since the mid-1920s.[13] Collett was replaced by Frederick Hawksworth in 1941 who created a modified version of the design, known as the Modified Hall Class.[14] These continued to be produced by British Railways until 1950, by which time there were a further seventy-one locomotives.

Accidents and incidents

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  • On 30 April 1941, 4911 Bowden Hall took a direct hit during a bombing raid on the Keyham area of Plymouth and was later broken up.[15] The locomotive had stopped at a signal box because of an air raid, and the crew survived by sheltering under the steps of the signal box.[16] 4911 was one of two GWR locomotives damaged beyond repair in Britain during World War II, the other was GWR 1854 Class No. 1729. 4936 Kinlet Hall, ran into a bomb crater in that area and was severely damaged, but was repaired.[17]
  • On 13 February 1961, 6949 Haberfield Hall was in collision with a freight train that was being shunted at Baschurch, due to a signalman's error. Three people were killed and two were injured.[18]
  • On 25 August 1962, a passenger train, hauled by a Warship class, D833 Panther, stopped at Torquay, due to the failure of the locomotive hauling it. 4932 Hatherton Hall was hauling a passenger train that overran signals and was in a rear-end collision with it. Twenty-three people were injured.[19]

Withdrawal

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All but one of the original Collett Halls survived until nationalisation in 1948, the exception being 4911 Bowden Hall. Withdrawals began in 1959 with the prototype Saint Martin. Its accumulated mileage, both in its original form and rebuilt form, was a remarkable 2,092,500 miles. Further withdrawals of the production series took place during the 1960s with the final 9 members of the class being withdrawn in December 1965.[20]

Year Quantity in
service at
start of year		 Quantity
withdrawn		 Locomotive numbers Notes
1941 210 1 4911 Destroyed by bomb.
1959 257 2 4900/40
1960 255 2 4901,
5915
1961 253 8 4926/45/97,
5907/49-50,
6902/49
1962 245 73 4906/09/12-13/17/21/25/31/34/37-38/41/44/47-48/52/57/60-61/63/65/67-69/71/73-74/77/82/84/86-87/90/95/99,
5902/06/09-13/16-18/20-21/25-26/28/30-31/35/40-41/46-47/53/59-60/64-66/68-69/73/80-82/89/96-97/99		 4965 preserved.
1963 172 67 4902/04-05/07-08/10/14-15/18/22/24/27-28/30/35/39/42-43/46/53/55-56/64/66/70/75/79-81/83/91/94/96/98,
5900/03-05/08/19/23-24/29/37-38/42-45/48/54/56/70/72/77-78/85-86/93-95,
6919-20/29/38/43/48		 4930, 4942, 4953, 4979, 5900, 5972 preserved.
1964 105 56 4903/16/19/23/32-33/36/49-51/54/58-59/72/76/78/85/88-89,
5901/14/22/27/34/39/51-52/57-58/62-63/67/74-76/79/87/91/98,
6900-01/05/09/12-14/25/33/36/40-42/45-46/50/54		 4936, 5952, 5967 preserved.
1965 49 49 4920/29/62/92-93,
5932-33/36/55/61/71/83-84/88/90/92,
6903-04/06-08/10-11/15-18/21-24/26-28/30-32/34-35/37/39/44/47/51-53/55-58		 4920 preserved.

Preservation

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See also: List of GWR 4900 Class locomotives

By 1965, the last Hall had been withdrawn from the Western Region without a single example entering the National Collection. Despite this, 11 of the class did survive into preservation, all being rescued from Barry Island Scrapyard. The first member of the class to be rescued, and the 10th departure from Barry, was 4965 Rood Ashton Hall, which left in October 1970. The engine was at this point assumed to be 4983 Albert Hall, but in 1998, the restoration team at the Birmingham Railway Museum discovered its true identity to be that of 4965.[21] The last unmodified Hall to leave Barry, and the 187th departure, was 5967 Bickmarsh Hall in August 1987.[22]

Seven of the class have run in preservation, with all six of the UK-based engines having operated on the main line: 4930 Hagley Hall, 4936 Kinlet Hall, 4953 Pitchford Hall, 4965 Rood Ashton Hall, 5900 Hinderton Hall and 5972 Olton Hall. 5972 Olton Hall gained fame as 'Hogwarts Castle', the locomotive used in the Harry Potter film series. 4920 Dumbleton Hall has operated in preservation, but is now on static display as part of the new Harry Potter attraction which opened in Tokyo in 2023.

As of March 2024 two Halls are operational: 4930 and 4953 but neither are mainline certified. 4936 Kinlet Hall is undergoing a Network Rail standard overhaul at Tyseley Locomotive Works. In January 2024 it was announced that subject to funding for its next mainline standard overhaul 4965 Rood Ashton Hall will be converted to become oil-fired.[23] It was confirmed in March 2024 that 4965 will be converted to oil firing during its next overhaul.[8] On completion of its overhaul 4965 is intended to be Tyseley's primary mainline engine for their "Shakespeare Express" and "Polar Express" trains.[8]

Of those engines which have not run in preservation, 4942 Maindy Hall has been converted back to a GWR Saint Class (2999 Lady of Legend), 4979 Wootton Hall is undergoing restoration at the Ribble Steam Railway with work currently focusing on the engine's tender, 5952 Cogan Hall is under cosmetic restoration at Tyseley Locomotive Works, with a small number of parts being used in the construction of 6880 Betton Grange and 5967 Bickmarsh Hall is undergoing restoration at the Northampton & Lamport Railway.

Number Name Image Built Withdrawn Service life Tender fitted Owner Base Status Livery Oil fired Mainline certified Notes
4920 Dumbleton Hall   Mar 1929 Dec 1965 36 Years, 9 Months Collett West Coast Railways Warner Brothers Studio Tours, Tokyo Static Display Hogwarts Railways Crimson, Hogwarts Railways Crest No No Operational 1992-1999[24] Sold from SDR to new owner in December 2020.[25]

Following cosmetic makeover at Carnforth MPD, including repaint into Hogwarts Railways Crimson, was exported from Southampton to Tokyo, Japan in December 2021.[26]

On long-term loan to Warner Bros.[27]

4930 Hagley Hall   May 1929 Dec 1963 34 Years, 7 Months Collett Severn Valley Railway Severn Valley Railway Operational GWR Lined Green, Shirtbutton Logo No No Hauled its inaugural passenger train on 9 September 2022 following completion of running in period.[28]
4936 Kinlet Hall   Jun 1929 Jan 1964 34 Years, 7 Months Collett West Somerset Railway Tyseley Locomotive Works. Undergoing overhaul BR Lined Green, Late Crest (on completion) No No (to be certified) Undergoing mainline standard overhaul.[29][as of?]
4942 Maindy Hall   Jul 1929 Dec 1963 34 Years, 5 Months Churchward Didcot Railway Centre Didcot Railway Centre Operational GWR Lined Green, Great Western Lettering No No Rebuilt into GWR 2900 Class no 2999 Lady of Legend
4953 Pitchford Hall   Aug 1929 May 1963 33 Years, 9 Months Collett Epping Ongar Railway Epping Ongar Railway Operational BR Lined Black, Early Emblem No No Returned to traffic in December 2019.
4965 Rood Ashton Hall   Nov 1930 Mar 1962 32 Years, 4 Months Churchward Vintage Trains Tyseley Locomotive Works Awaiting overhaul GWR Lined Green, Great Western Lettering (on completion) Yes (to be converted during overhaul)

[23][8]

No (to be certified) Used parts from 4983 Albert Hall, and was named Albert Hall on one side on entering service in preservation[30]

Will be converted to oil-firing during the engine's next overhaul which will commence in March 2024. [23][8][needs update]

4979 Wootton Hall   Feb 1930 Dec 1963 33 Years, 10 Months Collett Furness Railway Trust Ribble Steam Railway Undergoing restoration No No
5900 Hinderton Hall   Mar 1931 Dec 1963 32 Years, 9 Months Collett Didcot Railway Centre Didcot Railway Centre Static display GWR Lined Green, Great Western Lettering No No
5952 Cogan Hall   Dec 1935 Jun 1964 28 Years, 6 Months N/A Betton Grange Society Tyseley Locomotive Works Stored No No Tender and other minor parts used on 6880 Betton Grange.

Undergoing cosmetic restoration for static display at Tyseley Loco Works, full restoration to commence following the completion of 6880.

5967 Bickmarsh Hall   Mar 1937 Jun 1964 27 Years, 3 Months N/A Northampton & Lamport Railway Northampton & Lamport Railway Under restoration No No
5972 Olton Hall   Apr 1937 Dec 1963 26 Years, 8 Months Collett West Coast Railways Warner Brothers Studio Tour, London Static display Hogwarts Railways Crimson, Hogwarts Railways Crest No No Renamed Hogwarts Castle for use in the Harry Potter films. Currently on lease from West Coast Railways to Warner Brothers.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b le Fleming (1960), p. H29.
  2. ^ "GWR Locomotives: The Hall Class". wearerailfans.com. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  3. ^ "4900 4-6-0 GWR Collett Hall 4900 – 4999 & 6900 – 6958". Preserved British Steam Locomotives. 16 June 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  4. ^ "Hall of Fame". Railway Magazine. No. 861. January 1973. pp. 4–9.
  5. ^ le Fleming (1960), p. H30.
  6. ^ Allcock et al. (1968), pp. 35–39.
  7. ^ Haresnape, Brian (1978). Collett & Hawksworth locomotives: a pictorial history. London: Ian Allan. ISBN 0-7110-0869-8.
  8. ^ a b c d e "4965 Confirmed as getting oil conversion". Steam Railway. No. 555. March 2024. p. 22.
  9. ^ "Halls of Fame – A Mixed Traffic Masterpiece". Railway Matters. 29 May 2020. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  10. ^ Herring, Peter (2004). Classic British Steam Locomotives. Wigston: Abbeydale Press. p. 118. ISBN 1-86147-138-6.
  11. ^ Casserley, H.C. (1960). The Historic Locomotive Pocket Book. London: Batsford. pp. 217, 222.
  12. ^ Casserley, H.C. (1961). Locomotives of British Railways. London: Spring Books. p. 28.
  13. ^ Herring 2004, p. 158
  14. ^ Duggan, Jaime (7 September 2018). "GWR 4900 'Hall' and 6959 'Modified Hall' Class steam locomotives - Class Information". RailAdvent. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  15. ^ Riley, RC (1966). Great Western Album. Shepperton: Ian Allan Publishing. p. 90. ISBN 0-7110-0073-5.
  16. ^ Bryan, Tim (1995). The Great Western at War 1939-1945 (1 ed.). Yeovil: Patrick Stephens. p. 94. ISBN 1-85260-479-4. OCLC 60238810.
  17. ^ Stewart-David, David; Wood, Peter (July 2014). "The role of railways in the Second World War". The Railway Magazine. Vol. 160, no. 1, 360. Horncastle: Mortons Media. p. 50. ISSN 0033-8923.
  18. ^ Earnshaw, Alan (1991). Trains in Trouble: Vol. 7. Penryn: Atlantic Books. p. 39. ISBN 0-906899-50-8.
  19. ^ Earnshaw, Alan (1993). Trains in Trouble: Vol. 8. Penryn: Atlantic Books. pp. Front cover, 3. ISBN 0-906899-52-4.
  20. ^ "BRDatabase - the Complete British Railways Locomotive Database 1948-1997". www.brdatabase.info. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  21. ^ "BBC News | UK | Rail buffs on wrong track (and train)". news.bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  22. ^ "The Story of Barry scrapyard". www.greatwestern.org.uk.
  23. ^ a b c "Tyseley selling two locos with a third for oil firing conversion". Heritage Railway. No. 316. February 2024. p. 56.
  24. ^ "Dumbleton Hall fades into retirement". The Railway Magazine. No. 1185. January 2000. p. 49.
  25. ^ Holden, Michael (21 December 2020). "New Year, New Home for steam locomotive 4920 Dumbleton Hall". Rail Advent.
  26. ^ "Dumbleton Hall for new Harry Potter Japan attraction". The Railway Magazine. No. 1450. January 2022. p. 7.
  27. ^ "Steam Locomotive Information". www.steamlocomotive.info. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  28. ^ "Severn Valley Railway based steam locomotive 4930 Hagley Hall returns to steam after 30 years". 5 July 2023. Archived from the original on 11 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  29. ^ "4936 set for comeback in 2023". Heritage Railway Magazine. No. 301. December 2022. p. 60.
  30. ^ "Albert Hall is really Rood Ashton Hall". The Railway Magazine. No. 1163. March 1998. p. 9.
  • 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.
  • le Fleming, H.M. (November 1960) [1953]. White, D.E. (ed.). The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part eight: Modern Passenger Classes (2nd ed.). Kenilworth: RCTS. p. H29.
  • Haresnape, Brian (1978). Collett & Hawksworth Locomotives, A Pictorial History. Ian Allan Ltd. ISBN 0-7110-0869-8.
  • Whitehurst, Brian (1973). Great Western Engines, Names, Numbers, Types and Classes (1940 to Preservation). Oxford, UK: Oxford Publishing Company. pp. 42–44, 53–55, 62–63. 103, 144. ISBN 978-0-9028-8821-0. OCLC 815661.
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