5205 Class - No 5224

The year was 1911 and there was a need for a new locomotive type that was capable of  hauling the heavy coal trains from the collieries in South Wales to the ports and then return with the empty wagons. It had already been proven that by using the Churchward standardisation programme a locomotive could be produced to perform a specific task.  Given this fact and that it would be unusual for a journey in either direction to be more than 25 miles, it was decided that a tank version of the 28XX heavy freight locomotive was needed, this lead to the 4200 class being created.

Prototype engine No 4201 was built to the  new 2-8-0T design and was run for 14 months to prove that the class would be successful in its given role.  With some minor modifications (E.g. minor changes to the coal bunker to increase capacity to 3.5 Tons) production of the class continued up to number 4299 and then 5200 to 5204, number 4200 was built in February 1923 and completed the first phase of the 4200 class. A need for more locomotives of the class was identified and this is when the class received its first major modification with the cylinder size being increased from 18.5" to 19". This increase created a larger tractive effort and as a result of this, the locomotives numbered from 5205 onwards became part of the 5205 class.

No 5224 was fairly typical of the class, she was completed in May 1924 and spent her time moving between sheds while hauling the heavy coal trains from pit to port.  Although during this time she was spotted at Slough on an up freight which was a long way from her home shed. This was attributed to her being run in after a major overhaul at Swindon works.  She continued giving sterling service right up to being withdrawn in April 1963.

The loco was rescued from Barry Scrap yard in 1978 by Roger Hibbert who was looking for a large project to get stuck into. Roger picked 5224 and she arrived at the Great Central Railway during November 1978.  The rebuild commenced immediately and after a period of only 6 years the loco moved under her own steam in October 1984.  The loco was officially launched on the railway in March 1985 and continued in traffic until 1991 when she was withdrawn from service for a heavy repair to the firebox, she returning to traffic in January 1992 and continued in service until 1994 where she was taken out of service for a 10 year overhaul.

No 5224 is no longer based at the GCR and is now owned by the Waterman Trust.  The loco is currently on hire to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, although she is available for hire to other preserved railways.

Principal Dimensions 

Shed Allocations