THE LOCOMOTIVE THAT BEGAN SEVERN VALLEY SERVICES
BUILT at Swindon in 1946, No. 3205 is the sole survivor of the 120 members of Charles B Collett’s 2251 class. Constructed between 1930-48, the engines were intended for use on lightly-laid lines in Wales and to replace ageing locomotives from the constituent companies that were absorbed into the GWR at the Grouping of 1922/23.
The class comprised the final design of 0-6-0 tender engines to enter service in Britain, with large 5ft 2in diameter driving wheels and the same boiler that was used on the 94xx panniers.
No. 3205 entered service in October 1946 allocated to Gloucester Horton Road, although spending most of it time at its sub-shed at Cheltenham.
From June 1955 the locomotive spent
