| GWR 4700 Class |
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4705 at the Southall Locomotive Depot, in 1962 |
| Type and origin |
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| Power type | Steam |
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| Designer | George Jackson Churchward |
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| Builder | GWR Swindon Works |
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| Order number | Lots 214, 221 |
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| Serial number | 4700: 2866,
4701–4708: none |
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| Build date | 1919 (1), 1922–1923 (8) |
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| Total produced | 9 |
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| Specifications |
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Configuration:
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| • Whyte | 2-8-0 |
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| • UIC | 1'D h2 |
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| Gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
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| Leading dia. | 3 ft 2 in (0.965 m) |
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| Driver dia. | 5 ft 8 in (1.727 m) |
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| Minimum curve | 8 chains (530 ft; 160 m) normal,
7 chains (460 ft; 140 m) slow |
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| Length | 66 ft 4+1⁄4 in (20.22 m) |
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| Width | 8 ft 11 in (2.718 m) |
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| Height | 13 ft 4+3⁄4 in (4.083 m) |
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| Axle load | 19 long tons 12 cwt (43,900 lb or 19.9 t)
19 long tons 12 hundredweight (19.9 t; 22.0 short tons) full |
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| Adhesive weight | 73 long tons 8 cwt (164,400 lb or 74.6 t)
73 long tons 8 hundredweight (74.6 t; 82.2 short tons) full |
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| Loco weight | 82 long tons 0 cwt (183,700 lb or 83.3 t)
82 long tons 0 hundredweight (83.3 t; 91.8 short tons) full |
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| Tender weight | 46 long tons 14 cwt (104,600 lb or 47.4 t)
45 long tons 14 hundredweight (46.4 t; 51.2 short tons) full |
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| Fuel type | Coal |
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| Water cap. | 3,500 or 4,000 imperial gallons (16,000 or 18,000 L; 4,200 or 4,800 US gal) |
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| Firebox: | |
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| • Grate area | 30.28 sq ft (2.813 m2) |
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| Boiler | GWR Standard No. 7 |
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| Boiler pressure | 225 lbf/in2 (1.55 MPa) |
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| Heating surface: | |
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| • Firebox | 169.75 sq ft (15.770 m2) |
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| • Tubes | 2,062.35 sq ft (191.599 m2) |
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Superheater:
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| • Type | 4-element or 6-element |
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| • Heating area | 4-element: 211.20 sq ft (19.621 m2),
6-element: 276.98 sq ft (25.732 m2) |
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| Cylinders | Two, outside |
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| Cylinder size | 19 in × 30 in (483 mm × 762 mm) |
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| Valve gear | Stephenson |
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| Valve type | Piston valves |
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| Career |
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| Operators | GWR » BR |
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| Class | 4700 |
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| Power class | GWR: D,
BR: 7F |
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| Numbers | 4700–4708 |
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| Nicknames | Night Owls |
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| Axle load class | GWR: Red |
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| Withdrawn | 1962–1964 |
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| Disposition | All original locomotives scrapped; one new-build under construction |
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The Great Western Railway (GWR) 4700 Class was a class of nine 2-8-0 steam locomotives, designed by George Jackson Churchward. They were introduced in 1919 for heavy mixed-traffic work. Although primarily designed for fast freight, the class also sometimes hauled passenger trains, 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.
