This type had its origins in the
GWR’s 1897-1905 built 2021 class and shared a number
of leading dimensions with the earlier locomotives. Although
of pure Great Western ancestry and designed by F. W. Hawksworth,
the 70 locomotives of class 16XX were built by British Railways
between October 1949 and May 1955.
The class was constructed to a restricted loading gauge for
use on routes with low overbridges and had a modest axle loading
of 13 tons 18 cwt. Many were based in South Wales and there
was an allocation of 10 to Lydney in the Forest of Dean. Others
worked in Cornwall in one direction and as far afield as Scotland
in the other. Workings in South Wales included duties on the
Burry Port and Gwenraeth Valley Railway, a line to which Colonel
Stephens had at one time been Consulting Engineer.
Built at Swindon, No. 1638 was first allocated to Llanelly
in March 1951 and was withdrawn from service at Croes Newydd
in August 1966. It was purchased for preservation for £1300
and arrived at the Dart Valley Railway on 25 November 1967.
The locomotive was acquired for the K&ESR in 1992 and
arrived on 1 July 1992. It has since proved a useful addition
to the fleet and, despite its smaller dimensions, appears
to be the equal of the Austerities. The K&ESR fleet number
has never been carried although when playing the part of Duck
on ‘Thomas’ weekends the number 8 is displayed
. . As part of 1638’s ‘Thomas’ persona a
Swindon green livery and GWR lettering have been applied.
TECHNICAL DATA
Class: 16XX
Weight: 41 tons 12 cwt
Tractive effort: 18,515 lbs
Cylinders (2) 161/2 in. dia x 24 in. stoke
Boiler Pressure 165 lbs
Coal capacity: 21/2 tons
Wheels: 4 ft. 11/2 in diameter
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