GWR 2221 "County Tank" Class[1]
GWR County Tank Class No.2221 in 1907
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer George Jackson Churchward Builder Swindon Works Order number Lots 151, 175, 188 Serial number 2076–2085, 2320–2329, 2466–2475 Build date 1905–1909, 1912 Total produced 30
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-4-2T  • UIC 2′B1 ht Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Driver dia. 6 ft 8+1⁄2 in (2.045 m) Fuel type Coal Firebox: ​  • Grate area 20.35 sq ft (1.89 m2) Boiler: ​  • Type GWR Standard No. 2 Boiler pressure 200 lbf/in2 (1.38 MPa) Heating surface 1,517.89 sq ft (141.02 m2) ​  • Tubes and flues 1,396.58 sq ft (129.75 m2)  • Firebox 121.31 sq ft (11.27 m2) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 184.75 sq ft (17.164 m2) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 18 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Career Operators Great Western Railway Numbers 2221–2250 Withdrawn 1931–1934 Disposition All scrapped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]

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.