GWR 4600 Class

4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gaugeLeading dia.3 ft 2 in (0.965 m)Driver dia.5 ft 8 in (1.727 m)Trailing dia.3 ft 2 in (0.965 m)Length36 ft 11+3⁄4 in (11.271 m)Loco weight60 long tons 12 cwt (61.6 t; 67.9 short tons)Fuel typeCoalFuel capacity3 long tons (3.0 t; 3.4 short tons)Water cap.1,100 imp gal (5,000 L; 1,300 US gal)Firebox:​ • TypeBelpaire • Grate area93.85 sq ft (8.719 m²)BoilerGWR Standard No. 5^[1]Boiler pressure200 psi (1.4 MPa)CylindersTwo, outsideCylinder size17 in × 24 in (432 mm × 610 mm)

Performance figures
Tractive effort	18,360 lbf (81.7 kN)

Career
Operators	Great Western Railway
Class	4600
Power class	GWR: A
Axle load class	GWR: Blue
Withdrawn	1925
Disposition	Scrapped

The 4600 Class was a 4-4-2T steam locomotive built by the Great Western Railway in 1913. It was one of the GWR standard classes with two outside cylinders.

It was designed as light suburban locomotive, based on the successful 4500 class 2-6-2T engines. Compared with these, it had larger (and fewer) coupled wheels, intended to allow higher speeds with local trains. The only example built spent most of its career in the Birmingham area, and was not considered a success. The limited adhesion and restricted tank capacity meant that it did not improve on the 4500 class, and the larger 2-6-2T classes handled the suburban traffic better. It was moved to western Wales in 1918 for use on the lines to Pembroke Dock and Neyland. It was withdrawn in 1925 and scrapped.^[2][3][4]

Notes

References

External links

• Photograph of 4600 at Birmingham Moor Street station
• A Beginner's Guide to GWR 4-coupled tanks (includes works photo of 4600)