By 1922 the need for ever more powerful locomotives was apparent. Charles Collett, Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Great Western Railway based his 'Castle' Class largely on the 'Star' Class which was designed by his predecessor G. J. Churchward.
Between 1923 and 1950 171 Castle Class locomotives were built at the Swindon Works, 16 of which were rebuilds of the Star Class. Hailed as the most powerful locomotive of their time, the Castle Class locomotives had the ability to sustain high speeds and remain economical and they soon earned a reputation for excellence and reliability. In 1932 'Tregenna Castle' set a record for the 77 mile journey between Swindon and Paddington for a passenger train attaining an average speed of 81.68mph. At the time, this represented the World Record for steam traction.
Withdrawal began in the early 1950s, ending in 1965 with eight being set aside for preservation.
The locomotive represented here, No. 4073 'Caerphilly Castle' was outshopped on the 31st August 1923. The locomotive was withdrawn from shed 86C, Cardiff Canton on the 31st May 1960. Now part of the National Railway Museum collection the locomotive is on static display at Steam, The Museum of the Great Western Railway, Swindon.
The National Railway Museum is the largest railway museum in the world with exhibitions and collections illustrating over 300 years of British railway history. Anyone interested in the history of steam locomotives should visit the NRM.
Meanwhile I wait with great anticipation for Hornby's release of this new model.
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