View source for GWR 4700 Class

{{Short description|Class of nine 2-8-0 steam locomotives}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2018}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox locomotive
| name = GWR 4700 Class
| powertype = Steam
| image = File:Southall_Locomotive_Depot_ex-GWR_%274700%27_class_2-8-0_geograph-2927882-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
| caption = 4705 at the Southall Locomotive Depot, in 1962
| designer = [[George Jackson Churchward]]
| builder = GWR [[Swindon Works]]
| serialnumber = ''4700'': 2866,<br>''4701–4708'': none
| ordernumber = Lots 214, 221
| builddate = 1919 (1), 1922–1923 (8)
| totalproduction = 9
| whytetype = [[2-8-0]]
| uicclass = 1'D h2
| gauge = {{track gauge|uksg|allk=on}}
| leadingdiameter = {{convert|3|ft|2|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
| driverdiameter = {{convert|5|ft|8|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
| minimumcurve = {{convert|8|chain}} normal,<br>{{convert|7|chain}} slow
| length = {{convert|66|ft|4+1/4|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|8|ft|11|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|13|ft|4+3/4|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
| axleload = {{long ton|19|12}}<br>{{convert|19|LT|12|lcwt|t ST}} full
| weightondrivers = {{long ton|73|8}}<br>{{convert|73|LT|8|lcwt|t ST}} full
| locoweight = {{long ton|82|0}}<br>{{convert|82|LT|0|lcwt|t ST}} full
| tenderweight = {{long ton|46|14}}<br>{{convert|45|LT|14|lcwt|t ST}} full
| fueltype = [[Coal]]
| fuelcap = 
| watercap = {{convert|3500|or|4000|impgal}}
| boilerpressure = {{convert|225|lbf/in2|MPa|2|abbr=on}}
| firearea = {{convert|30.28|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
| boiler = GWR Standard No. 7<ref>{{Cite book|last=Champ|first=Jim |title=An Introduction to Great Western Locomotive Development |year=2018|publisher=[[Pen and Sword Books|Pen & Sword Transport]] |isbn=978-1-4738-7784-9|location=Barnsley |oclc=1029234106 |ol=26953051M |page=320 }}</ref>
| tubearea = {{convert|2062.35|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
| fireboxarea = {{convert|169.75|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
| superheatertype = 4-element or 6-element
| superheaterarea = 4-element: {{convert|211.20|sqft|m2|abbr=on}},<br>6-element: {{convert|276.98|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
| cylindercount = Two, outside
| cylindersize = {{convert|19|x|30|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| valvegear = [[Stephenson valve gear|Stephenson]]
| valvetype = [[Piston valve (locomotive)|Piston valves]]
| tractiveeffort = {{convert|30460|lbf|kN|abbr=on}}
| factorofadhesion = 
| operator = [[Great Western Railway|GWR]] » [[British Railways|BR]]
| operatorclass = 4700
| fleetnumbers = 4700–4708
| nicknames = Night Owls
| powerclass = GWR: D,<br>BR: 7F
| axleloadclass = GWR: Red
| withdrawndate = 1962–1964
| disposition = All original locomotives [[scrap]]ped; one new-build under construction
}}
The [[Great Western Railway]] (GWR) '''4700 Class''' was a class of nine [[2-8-0]] [[steam locomotive]]s, designed by [[George Jackson Churchward]]. They were introduced in [[1919 in rail transport|1919]] for heavy [[mixed-traffic locomotive|mixed-traffic]] work. Although primarily designed for fast freight, the class also sometimes hauled [[passenger train]]s, notably heavy holiday expresses in the summer months. They were unofficially nicknamed '''"Night Owls"''' because they were primarily designed to haul goods during the night and they could be seen simmering in the daylight, awaiting their nocturnal duties.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Daniel |first1=John |title=4700 class introduction |url=http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/m_in_280.htm |website=The Great Western Archive |access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=4700 2-8-0 GWR Churchward 4700 – 4708 |website=Preserved British Steam Locomotives|date=16 June 2017 | url=https://preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com/4700-2-8-0-gwr-churchward-4700-4708/ |access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Perton |first1=Paul |title=47XX History |url=https://www.4709.org.uk/4709history |website=4709 – THE ULTIMATE BRITISH 2–8–0 |publisher=Squarespace |access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref>

==Background==
At the end of the First World War, the running department of the GWR identified the need for a larger version of the successful [[GWR 4300 Class]] [[2-6-0]] incorporating the Swindon No. 1 boiler. They envisaged a smaller version of the successful [[GWR 2900 Class|Saint class]] [[4-6-0]] with {{convert|5|ft|8|in|m|3|abbr=on}} driving wheels - the intermediate of Churchward's three standard wheel sizes, for express goods trains. However, Churchward preferred a [[2-8-0]] design for this purpose.<ref>{{RCTS-LocosGWR-8 |edition=2nd |pages=H29 }}</ref>

==Prototype==
The prototype of the new class was built at [[Swindon Works]] in May 1919 (Lot 214) and was the last design by Churchward. It was numbered 4700. According to the [[Railway Correspondence and Travel Society|RCTS]] monograph, the design was not successful as built because the No. 1 boiler proved to be inadequate for such a large engine.<ref>{{cite book| last=Le Fleming| first=H.M.| title=The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part nine: Standard two-cylinder Classes| publisher=RCTS| date=1962| location=Kenilworth| pages=J24-5| isbn=0901115371}}</ref> In May 1921, it was therefore rebuilt with a newly designed and larger Swindon No. 7 boiler. However, according to Cook it was built with a Standard No. 1 boiler as the intended design of the larger Standard No. 7 boiler, which was not yet ready.<ref>{{cite book |first=K.J. |last=Cook |title=Swindon Steam |publisher=Ian Allan |year=1974 }}</ref>{{page needed|date=November 2020}}

==Production series==
Eight further locomotives with the larger No. 7 boilers and detail differences were ordered by Churchward in 1921 (Lot 221), but these only appeared after his retirement. These were numbered 4701 to 4708. Although they were mechanically successful locomotives, their large size severely restricted their [[Great Western Railway Power and Weight Classification|route availability]] and so no more examples were built. Churchward's successor [[Charles Collett]] later rebuilt a Saint Class with {{convert|6|ft|0|in|3|abbr=on}} wheels to form the [[GWR 4900 Class|Hall Class]] which was a far more versatile mixed traffic locomotive.<ref>{{harvnb|Le Fleming|1962|p=J25}}</ref> Later, Collett would produce the [[GWR 6800 Class|Grange Class]] which was exactly as the traffic department had originally envisaged: a [[4-6-0]] with Standard No. 1 boiler and 5&nbsp;ft 8 in driving wheels.
The class was originally fitted with {{convert|3500|impgal}} tenders but during 1933/4 these were replaced by {{convert|4000|impgal}} tenders.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

==Use==
{{No sources section|date=August 2024}}
The class were primarily used on fast overnight freight services on the London, Exeter and Plymouth, London-Bristol and London, Birmingham and Wolverhampton routes. 

From 1957 onwards, several members of the class were often used on heavy Saturday relief passenger services to the West of England during the summer months, where they gained the Brunswick Green livery, beforehand either being Lined or Unlined black. 

Despite their limited use, the Night Owls were exceptional mixed traffic locomotives who proved their worth on the heavier express freight and passenger services.

==Accidents and incidents==
*On 12 November 1958, locomotive No. 4707 was hauling a freight train when it overran signals and was derailed at Highworth Junction, [[Swindon]], [[Wiltshire]]. A newspaper train, hauled by [[GWR 4073 Class]] [[4-6-0]] No. 5009 ''Shrewsbury Castle'', collided with the wreckage.<ref name=Trevena>{{cite book |last=Trevena |first=Arthur |title=Trains in Trouble |volume= 1 |year=1980 |publisher=Atlantic Books |location=Redruth |isbn=0-906899-01-X |page=47 }}</ref>

[[File:Swindon Works RCTS Rail Tour geograph-2930072-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|thumb|left|No. 4707 at Swindon Works 25 April 1954]]

==Withdrawal==
Withdrawal of the class began in June 1962 with No. 4702, while the last were removed from service in May 1964.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/280_4700det.htm|title= '4700' class details: 4700 - 4708 |last= |first= |date= |website=greatwestern.org.uk |publisher= |access-date=20 September 2024 |quote=}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=September 2024}} As a result of their limited usefulness, the mileages achieved by the class were not exceptional, with No. 4705 recording the greatest at {{convert|1,656,564|mi}}.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}

==Preservation==
No members of the class were preserved. However, the [[Great Western Society]] ''4709 Group'' made the decision to create the next locomotive in the sequence, GWR 4709. Supported via a GWS sub-group; the plan was to build it using a mixture of new parts and others recycled from former Barry scrapyard locomotives:
* [[GWR 5101 Class|GWR 5101 class]] 2-6-2T 4115 - six of the eight driving wheels and the frame extension.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.5199.co.uk/Class/class.html| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305140735/http://www.5199.co.uk/Class/class.html| archive-date=March 5, 2012| title=5199 Project| website=The 5199 Project| year=2011| access-date=2011-07-25}}</ref>
* [[GWR 2800 Class|GWR 2800 class]] 2-8-0 2861 - the cylinder block.
* [[GWR 5205 Class|GWR 5205 class]] 2-8-0T 5227 - the axleboxes, horns and other various components.
* [[GWR 4073 Class]]  4-6-0 7027 ''[[GWR 4073 Class 7027 Thornbury Castle|Thornbury Castle]]'' - the boiler.<ref>{{Cite web |title=4709 Group buys Thornbury Castle — 4709 – The Ultimate British 2–8–0 |url=https://www.4709.org.uk/4709blog/4709-group-buys-thornbury-castle |access-date=2022-08-13 |website=4709 – The Ultimate British 2–8–0 |date=13 August 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=4709 Group purchases Great Central Railway-based steam locomotive 7027 Thornbury Castle |url=https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2022/08/4709-group-purchases-great-central-railway-based-steam-locomotive-7027-thornbury-castle.html/ |access-date=2022-08-13 |website=RailAdvent |date=11 August 2022 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=7027 THORNBURY CASTLE {{!}} Didcot Railway Centre |url=https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/519/7027-thonbury-castle |access-date=2022-08-13 |website=didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk}}</ref>

The plates for the new frames were cut and machined in 2012.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

In order to fit within the more restrictive modern [[loading gauge]], so that it could operate on the main line, the project has changed the plan to use the 2800 cylinder, and has instead had new cylinders designed and cast.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.4709.org.uk/4709blog/4709s-first-cylinder-cast-satisfactorily-at-boro-foundry| title=4709's First Cylinder cast satisfactorily at Boro Foundry|website=4709 – The Ultimate British 2–8–0| year=2021| access-date=2021-09-23}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of GWR standard classes with two outside cylinders]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}
* {{cite web
    |url   = http://www.steamindex.com/locotype/gwrloco.htm#47xx
    |title = Great Western Locomotive Types, 47xx
    |access-date  = 2006-01-01
  }}
* {{cite web
    |url         = http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/m_in_280.htm
    |title       = Great Western steam locomotives, '4700' class
    |access-date        = 2006-01-01
    |work        = The Great Western Archive
    |author      = Daniel, John
    |year = 2000
  }}
* {{cite web
 |url=http://timothyplatypus.tripod.com/NottinghamVictoria/locoGWR.html 
 |title=GWR Locomotive Evolution 
 |access-date=2006-01-01 
 |author=Overton, Tim 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040821142507/http://timothyplatypus.tripod.com/NottinghamVictoria/locoGWR.html 
 |archive-date=21 August 2004 
 |url-status=bot: unknown 
}} <sub>( (as of 27 April 2006))</sub>
* {{Whitehurst GW Engines from 1940|pages=42, 103, 138}}

==External links==
*[http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/locos/4709/4709.html 4709 Restoration project]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150101005302/http://www.knowles-cadbury-brown.co.uk/4709/ Great Western Society 47XX Project]

{{GWR Locomotives}}

[[Category:Great Western Railway locomotives|4700]]
[[Category:2-8-0 locomotives]]
[[Category:1′D h2 locomotives]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1919]]
[[Category:Scrapped locomotives]]
[[Category:Freight locomotives]]
[[Category:Standard-gauge steam locomotives of Great Britain]]