GWR 2602 Class

The Kruger Class was a series of exceptionally imposing-looking (some might say ungainly) steam locomotives designed by William Dean and built at the Swindon Works of the Great Western Railway.

GWR 2602 'Kruger' Class
No. 2601, the Kruger 4-6-0
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerWilliam Dean
Specifications
Gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Leading dia.2 ft 8 in (0.813 m)
Driver dia.4 ft 7 1⁄2 in (1.410 m)
Boiler pressure180 psi (1,200 kPa)
Cylinders2
Cylinder size19 in × 28 in (483 mm × 711 mm)

Design

They had outside frames to the six coupled driving wheels, but inside frames for the leading wheels. A distinctive visual feature, initially, was a large saddle-shaped sandbox over the first ring of the boiler. The class had two prototypes: No. 2601, was a 4-6-0, while No. 2602 was a 2-6-0. These were built in 1899, and Nos. 2603-2610, all 2-6-0s, followed later, up to 1903. Though Dean was officially still in charge, Churchward's influence is evident in the rugged design. Their perhaps ironic nickname was after Paul Kruger, the Boer War leader defeated by Lord Roberts in 1900.

Problems

Perhaps Churchward saw the chance of experimenting in the name of Dean, and this somewhat experimental class was not successful, the boiler with its high pressure and 3 ft 6 in (1.067 m) long combustion chamber gave trouble[1] and the long 28-inch (711 mm) stroke of the inside cylinders led to fractures of the solid crank axles.[2] So the class was not long-lived and most were withdrawn around 1906. Several of the boilers were converted for stationary use in Swindon Works at reduced pressure, and remained in service there until the 1950s.

Aberdare class

Their numbers were adopted in 1907 by some of the last batch of the more elegant and reliable Aberdare Class 2-6-0s, which may also have re-used some of the "Kruger"s' parts.[3]

References
  1. le Fleming 1954, p. G40.
  2. Holcroft 1971, p. 74.
  3. le Fleming 1954, pp. G39-G40.

Sources
  • Holcroft, Harold (1971) [1957]. An Outline of Great Western Locomotive Practice 1837-1947. Shepperton, Surrey: Ian Allan. ISBN 0-7110-0228-2.
  • le Fleming, H.M. (October 1954). White, D.E. (ed.). The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part seven: Dean's Larger Tender Engines. Kenilworth: RCTS. ISBN 0-901115-18-5.
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