Locomotive Class
Class 28XX
Class: Class 28XX
Type: Steam
Designer: G. J. Churchward
Weight: 76 tons
Purpose: Heavy Freight
Information: Designed as a heavy freight locomotive by George Churchward for the Great Western Railway, the 2800 Class was the first 2-8-0 wheel arrangement to be used in Britain.
Details: The Class prototype, numbered 2800 was constructed at Swindon Locomotive Works in 1903. The 2-8-0 design featured two outside cylinders with small driving wheels intended for slow speed operation and high tractive effort, ideal for the intended heavy freight use the class was designed.
After an extensive two year trial period, a number of issues and improvements were implemented that resulted in a long lived and successful freight locomotive design.
Between 1905 and 1919 an additional 83 locomotives were constructed. The class was so well received by management and crews that in 1938, Collett built an additional 83 locomotives to a similar design. The later units were designated Class 2884 with the major distinguishing feature being a modernised cab.
Other than super-heating, few significant changes were made to the class once they reached production. Experimentation with oil firing took place between 1945 and 1947 and was subsequently abandoned due to increased operational and maintenance costs.
By 1948 trails were undertaken to evaluate the 28XX design against contemporary 8F power class designs. Although nearly 50-years old; the 2-8-0 design remained the preferred long distance heavy freight locomotive on the Western Region. It was not until the arrival of Standard 9F 2-10-0’s did the class become seceded in their role and withdrawals commenced.
During Great Western Railways ownership, the class typically appeared in unlined green livery. After nationalisation the class was turned-out in unlined black British Railways livery.
Withdrawals commenced in 1958 with the last one being withdrawn in 1965. Several members exceeded 1.5-million miles and sixty years of service, certainly a testament to their over-all success. Seven have been preserved, but only one, number 2807, is currently operational at the time of writing. A second locomotive, number 2857 previously operational in preservation, is currently undergoing restoration and is expected to be returned to operational status in the near future.
John Faulkner
Class 28XX Releases (13)
| MODEL | NO. | LIVERY |
|---|---|---|
| Class 2800 Locomotive | 2859 | G.W.R. Green |
| Class 2800 Locomotive | 2857 | B.R. Black |
|
Class 2800 Locomotive
Released:
1998
|
2844 | G.W.R. Green |
| Class 2800 Locomotive | 2839 | G.W.R. Green |
|
Class 2800 Locomotive
Released:
2001
|
2861 | B.R. Black |
| Class 2800 Locomotive | 2865 | B.R. Black |
| Class 2800 Locomotive | 2821 | G.W.R. Green |
| Class 2800 Locomotive | 2836 | B.R. Black |
| Class 2800 Locomotive | 2847 | G.W.R. Green |
| Class 2800 Locomotive | 2818 | G.W.R. Green |
| Class 2800 Locomotive | 2812 | G.W.R. Green |
| Class 2800 Locomotive | 2810 | B.R. Black |
|
Class 2800 Locomotive (Weathered)
Released:
2011
|
2845 | B.R. Black |
Class 28XX Images (13)
Class 2800 Locomotive (Weathered) 2845
