1. ‘Hall’ 4-6-0 No. 4900
Number: 4900
Date of rebuilding: 1924 (1)
Withdrawn: 1959
Preserved: N/a
The ‘43XX’ 2-6-0s were hugely successful mixed traffic engines but limited by their size. Charles Collett thought that a ‘Saint’ with smaller wheels would make a more powerful mixed traffic machine so fitted ‘Saint’ No. 2925 Saint Martin with 6ft diameter wheels and a new cab. Effectively became the prototype of the ‘Halls’, production of which started in 1928. No. 4900 retained its lower pitch boiler, nameplates– and other detail differences.
Modifying locomotives to improve them was commonplace. Some changes were seemingly small – double chimneys, smoke deflectors and so forth – yet they could have a dramatic impact on performance and, in some cases, the external appearances.
However, some locomotives underwent significant changes. They’d emerge from the works rather like a butterfly breaking out of a chrysalis… although not all rebuilds became beautiful butterflies!
The purpose of this survey is to highlight the numerous steam locomotive designs, often still hard at work during the BR era, which had been subject to such significant rebuilding. We’ll work through in largely numerical order, starting with ex-Great Western Railway machines, which is somehow fitting given that Swindon was particularly adept at locomotive re-building…
2. ‘72XX’ 2-8-2T
Numbers: 7200-7253
Date of rebuilding: 1934-1939 (54)
Withdrawn: 1962-1965
Preserved: Nos. 7200, 7202, 7229
The Great Depression had a detrimental impact on the South Wales coal trade, which resulted in new ‘5205’ 2-8-0Ts (Lot 266, Nos. 5275-94) going into store. However, the ever resourceful GWR realised that by extending the bunker and fitting a trailing truck, they
