4073 Caerphilly Castle, GWR Castle Class

A preserved GWR Castle Class 4-6-0, built at Swindon Works in August 1923 as the class prototype — the first of Charles Collett's Castle class and No. 4073 off the production line, the founding member of what became the GWR's definitive express passenger type. Withdrawn from British Railways service in 1960 and preserved as part of the National Collection.

4073 Caerphilly Castle has the distinction of being the first Castle class locomotive, setting the template for 170 further examples built between 1923 and 1950. When introduced in 1923 it was the most powerful express locomotive in Britain by nominal tractive effort — a claim the GWR actively promoted. Now displayed at the STEAM Museum at Swindon, the works that built it, alongside a comprehensive collection of GWR engineering artefacts.

Last recorded at the STEAM Museum, Swindon, owned by the National Railway Museum. Operating status: Static display. Current livery: GWR Brunswick green.

Location, livery and operating status last confirmed pre-2024 and subject to change. Check with the National Railway Museum or STEAM Museum for current information.