GWR 2221 Class

4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gaugeDriver dia.6 ft 8+1⁄2 in (2.045 m)Fuel typeCoalFirebox:​ • Grate area20.35 sq ft (1.89 m²)Boiler:
​ • TypeGWR Standard No. 2Boiler pressure200 lbf/in² (1.38 MPa)Heating surface:​ • Firebox121.31 sq ft (11.27 m²) • Tubes and flues1,396.58 sq ft (129.75 m²) • Total surface1,517.89 sq ft (141.02 m²)Superheater:
​ • Heating area184.75 sq ft (17.164 m²)CylindersTwo, outsideCylinder size18 in × 30 in (457 mm × 762 mm)

Performance figures
Tractive effort	20,530 lbf (91.32 kN)

Career
Operators	Great Western Railway
Numbers	2221–2250
Withdrawn	1931–1934
Disposition	All scrapped

The Great Western Railway (GWR) 2221 Class or County Tank was a class of 4-4-2T steam locomotive, effectively a tank engine version of the 3800 "County" Class 4-4-0 tender locomotives. The two classes had different boilers, standard no 4 for the tender locomotive, and the smaller (by about 350 sq ft or 33 m²) standard no 2 for the tank. 2230 was fitted with the larger boiler when new, but this was unsuccessful and was quickly altered.^[2]

Construction

Thirty were built between 1905 and 1912 to replace the 3600 "Birdcage" Class. They were built in three batches of ten, the batches having minor differences. In the final batch the drop in the front framing above the cylinders was curved, the cylinders were also lower, superheaters and top feed were fitted from new. Later in life, the earlier members of the class were fitted with superheaters, and some were given larger bunkers in line with other standard tank classes.^[3]

Table of order and numbers^[4]

Year	Quantity	Lot No.	Works Nos.	Locomotive numbers	Notes
1905–06	10	151	2076–2085	2221–2230
1908–09	10	175	2320–2329	2231–2240
1912	10	188	2466–2475	2241–2250

Use

Their work was concentrated on London suburban services. They were replaced by the more versatile GWR 6100 Class from 1931 onwards, the last going in 1934.^[5] Their large four coupled driving wheels were suited to high speed running on outer suburban services but acceleration was slower than that of the six coupled, smaller wheeled locomotives.

Reputation

Like the Counties, they had a reputation for rough riding, caused by their short coupled wheelbase and large outside cylinders. None survived into preservation.

See also

• List of GWR standard classes with two outside cylinders

References

Sources

• Allcock, N. J.; Davies, F. K.; le Fleming, H. M.; Maskelyne, J. N.; Reed, P. J. T.; Tabor, F. J. (1968) [1951]. White, D. E. (ed.). The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part one: Preliminary Survey. Kenilworth: RCTS.
• Haresnape, Brian; Swain, Alec (1976). Churchward locomotives : a pictorial history. London: I. Allan. ISBN 0-7110-0697-0.
• le Fleming, H.M. (February 1962). White, D.E. (ed.). The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part nine: Standard Two-Cylinder Classes. RCTS. ISBN 0-901115-37-1. OCLC 655827210.

External links

• 2221 'County Tank' class