GWR 1741 (655) Class
Enthusiasts often refer to this Wolverhampton built class as the 655 class, but the GWR usually described them as 1741s. Thirty-two were built from 1892. They were essentially similar to the earlier 645 and 1501 classes, but were just a little larger with longer overhangs front and rear. The bunker was actually the same size as the 1501 bunker, so the extra three inches of overhang presumably provided more room in the cab. Again they were built with T class boilers. They were numbered rather eccentrically: the first two, 655 and 767, were given numbers previously used by 645s that had been sold. The rest were numbered 1741-1750 and 1771-1790.
Almost a subclass were the last 'large' Wolverhampton engines, 2701 to 2720, built 1896/7. The boilers were T class, but had small dimensional variations. Otherwise they were very similar to the 1741s.
The 655/1741/2701s tended to merge with the earlier 645 and 1501 classes as time went on. They were fitted with the larger P class Belpaire boilers and pannier tanks. The majority were given enlarged bunkers. Around half were superheated at one stage in their lives and a number gained enclosed cabs.
By the 1930s all four classes/sub classes were being treated as a single class.
Some were scrapped in the 1930s, but most survived the war. Some twenty-one made it onto the BR books and the last were scrapped in 1950.
There were five diagrams for the 1741s and 2701s, covering the variations in boilers and tanks. The last diagram, B65, covered 645, 1501, 1741 and 2701 classes, demonstrating how the classes had merged as they were updated.
This first sketch is rather loosely based on diagram M, but the cab in particular has been amended from photos. A cab entrance with a single large radius as shown seemed to be something of a Wolverhampton thing. Swindon cabs usually had a larger radius on the bottom of the cutout than the top. This is the T class boiler, which was pitched appreciably lower than the later P class. Oddly the precise combination of dome position , firebox and T class boiler on the GWR diagram is not known to have actually been fitted to the class. Fortunately for my sketch the firebox top is hidden anyway.
This is more closely based on diagram A18, the first diagram with the P class boiler The odd stumpy chimney was by no means universal on this variation.
This sketch is based on diagram A42, which is an earlier pannier tank fitment with the P class boiler.
And finally this is based on diagram B65, with a full length cab roof and a much extended bunker. The resemblance to the 57s is getting quite marked, but pre group Wolverhampton locomotives could always be recognised by the footplate valance and the shape of the front step.
Its important to note that the sketches show just a few of a considerable number of variations. The Wolverhampton pre group classes are something of a modeller's nightmare, since Wolverhampton had their own style, but Swindon tended to put Swindon design features on locomotives that came into their hands. So photos, photos.
Edited by JimC
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