4073 CASTLE Class Steam Train

GWR 4073 Castle Class Fact 1: It can be described as a class of Great British steam locomotives which were produced at Swindon Works by Great Western Railways from 1923 to 1950.

GWR 4073 Castle Class Fact 2: The designer of these steam locomotives was Charles B. Collett who became Great Western Railway's Chief Mechanical Engineer in 1922.

GWR 4073 Castle Class Fact 3: The purpose of the Castle Class Locomotives was to provide an improved express passenger steam train. Charles B. Collett aimed to develop a locomotive that would effectively replace the 1907 express passenger Star Class design.

GWR 4073 Castle Class Fact 4: Charles B. Collett designed an attractive steam locomotive that was well proportioned. He based his new design on the basic layout of the Star. He used an extended frame to house a larger grate area and a side window cab, and a bigger and lighter No.8 boiler. The diameter of the cylinder was increased to allow for the extra steam. The new steam locos had to remain within the twenty ton axle limit.

GWR 4073 Castle Class Fact 5: This class of British steam locomotives were built from 1923 to 1950. The locos were primarily named after Castles of Great Britain, however, a number of the locomotives were later renamed after Earls and military related terms. They were assigned the following numbers: 4073–4099, 5000–5099, 7000–7037.

GWR 4073 Castle Class Fact 6: During the 1950s, the majority of the steam locomotives were withdrawn from service. The final loco was withdrawn in December 1965, it was 7029 Clun Castle.

GWR 4073 Castle Class Fact 7: The following list details the locations, numbers and names of the eight steam locomotives which have been preserved:

4073 Caerphilly Castle Steam Locomotive: Built in August 1923 and withdrawn from service almost 37 years later in May 1960. This loco is owned by the National Railway and is located at Swindon Steam Railway Museum.

4079 Pendennis Castle Steam Locomotive: This loco was built in August 1923 and ran for nearly 41 years before it was withdrawn from service in May 1964. It is currently owned by the Great Western Society and is located at Didcot Railway.

5029 Nunney Castle Steam Locomotive: It was built in May 1934 and served for over 29 years before been withdrawn from service in December 1963. The owner of this loco is Jeremy Hosking and its current location is Crewe.

5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe (Barbury Castle) Steam Locomotive: Built in March 1936, this steam loco was originally named Barbury Castle, it was renamed Earl of Mount Edgcumbe in September 1937 and withdrawn from service in December 1963. This engine is owned by Birmingham Railway Museum and located at Tyseley Locomotive Works. It has a valid operational main line certificate

5051 Earl Bathurst (Drysllwyn Castle) Steam Locomotive: Built in May 1936 and originally named Drysllwyn Castle, this engine was renamed Earl Bathurst in August 1937. It was withdrawn from service in May 1963. Owned by Great Western Society, the loco is now located at Didcot Railway Centre where it is on static display.

5080 Defiant (Ogmore Castle) Steam Locomotive: Built in May 1939, originally named Ogmore Castle before been renamed Defiant in January 1941. It ran for approximately 24 years before it was withdrawn from service in April 1963. This steam engine is owned by Birmingham Railway Museum and located at is Buckinghamshire Railway Centre where it can be seen on static display.

7027 Thornbury Castle Steam Locomotive: Built in August 1950 and withdrawn from service in December 1963. It is owned by English record producer and songwriter, Pete Waterman, who is a railway enthusiast.

7029 Clun Castle Steam Locomotive: Built in May 1950. This steam engine ran for over 15 years. It was the last Castle Class withdrawn from service. Its working life came to an end in December 1965. It is now owned by Birmingham Railway Museum and is located at Tyseley Locomotive Works.