GWR 3031 Class

Type of British steam locomotive

The Dean Single, 3031 Class, or Achilles Class was a type of steam locomotive built by the British Great Western Railway between 1891 and 1899. They were designed by William Dean for passenger work. The first 30 members of the class were built as 2 2 2s of the 3001 Class. The first eight members of the class (numbers 3021 3028, built April–August 1891) were built as convertible 7 feet 0.25 inches broad gauge 2 2 2 locomotives, being converted to standard gauge in mid 1892, at the end of broad gauge running on the Great Western Railway. A further 22 were built in late 1891 and early 1892, this time as standard gauge engines. Although the 3001 class were fitted with larger boilers than earlier GWR 2 2 2 classes, the diameter of the boiler was constrained by its position between the 7 feet (2 m) driving wheels. Thus boiler capacity could only be increased by making the boiler longer, not wider, bringing the smokebox and cylinders in front of the leading axle. The extra weight of the larger boilers was borne by the leading wheels, making the locomotives unstable, particularly at speed. On 16 September 1893 No. 3021 Wigmore Castle, hauling an express train, was derailed in Box Tunnel when the front axle broke. The cause of the accident was thought to be excessive weight being carried on the front axle, so it was decided to replace the leading pair of wheels in the 3001 class with a bogie. In the 3001 class the steam chest was located underneath the cylinders, and contained two slide valves. The inverted placement of the valves allowed them to drop away from the face of the steam ports when steam was shut off, thus reducing wear. The steam chest and valves lay above the front carrying axle, and there was sufficient clearance to allow the steam chest cover to be removed over the axle for maintenance. Replacing the axle with a bogie of conventional design would have obstructed access to the port faces. Dean instead used a suspension bogie, in which the weight of the locomotive was transferred upwards to the bogie by four bolts mounted on the inside frames. The centre pin of the bogie rotated in a spring centred block mounted beneath the steam chest on cross beams. This setup gave sufficient clearance so that, when the bolts were undone, the front end of the locomotive raised, and the bogie was run out from underneath, the steam chest cover could be removed without hindrance. No. 3021 was rebuilt as a 4 2 2 in March 1894. Between June and December 1894 the 28 remaining locomotives of the 3001 class were rebuilt. The first of a further 50 new bogie singles was also built in March 1894, the last of the class being outshopped in March 1899. These new locomotives differed from the rebuilds in having their cylinder diameter reduced from , and the springs for the trailing wheels located above the footplate and outside the cab, necessitating a reduced width for the latter. The rebuilds subsequently had their cylinders lined down to The entire class, as they required it, had their driving wheels fitted with thicker tyres from 1898 onwards, increasing the wheel diameter by to 7 feet (2 m). In 1900, George Jackson Churchward replaced the boiler on number 3027 Worcester with a parallel Standard 2 boiler. Twelve further engines were similarly converted in 1905 and 1906. Despite the locomotives' speed, the 4 2 2 design was soon found to be outdated and unsuitable for more modern operation. A proposal to improve their performance by fitting them with long travel valves was found to be impracticable; the existing valves were directly driven from eccentrics mounted on the driving axle, and there was insufficient clearance to fit larger eccentrics. Churchward considered rebuilding the class as Armstrong Class 4 4 0s with
7 feet (2 m) coupled wheels. The cylinder centre line would then be above the driving centre, due to the difference in driving wheel diameter. This scheme was not carried through because the connecting rods would not clear the lower slide bar, and the valve gear would be out of alignment. An alternative proposal to drop the locomotive , and raise the buffer beam and dragbox, was also rejected on the grounds of cost. The class were gradually withdrawn between 1908 and 1915, with the last survivor, no. 3074 Princess Helena, being withdrawn in December 1916. All of the originals were scrapped, but a non working replica was built in the early 1980s.

3065 Duke of Connaught made a record breaking run with the Ocean Mail on 9 May 1904 (having taken over the train from City of Truro at Bristol), covering the distance from Bristol (Pylle Hill) to Paddington in 99 minutes 46 seconds as part of a run from Plymouth to Paddington in 227 minutes. 3041 The Queen, originally named James Mason, was an example of this class allocated to Royal Train duties. Number 3046 Lord of the Isles has enjoyed a certain amount of celebrity, having been chosen as the prototype for a Tri ang model locomotive. Since then the engine has also been modelled by Brio and Matchbox. In 2006, Hornby also produced a limited edition of the same model, this time bearing the name Lorna Doone. Hornby also produced Royal Sovereign, Great Western, Duke of Edinburgh and Achilles in 2008, 2010, 2009 and 2020 respectively.

None of the original class survive, but a static replica of The Queen was commissioned by Tussauds for the Railways and Royalty exhibition at Windsor and Eton Central railway station. The replica loco was completed in December 1982 and displayed outside Steamtown in January 1983 (where it was constructed), before being transported by road to Windsor on 12 January 1983 and arriving on 14 January. The main frames, footplate, 'boiler', smokebox, cab and splashers were fabricated by Babcock's of Tipton. The tender was modified from an LBSCR C2x tender. Parts from a GWR tender, that came from the Dumbleton Hall Preservation Society, were used to provide the wheels for the front bogie and the rear wheels. The top halves of the driving wheels do not exist, while the bottom halves were cast from 2 quarters, being bolted together to make a half. The driving wheels also don't sit on the rail so the loco could be wheeled into position on its front bogie and rear wheels. Some boiler fittings were obtained from the Great Western Society and sandblasted, and the dome and safety valve bonnet were made by Newcastle Metal Spinners. Tussaud's fitted smoke and steam generators, so steam was emitted from the cab, whistles, safety valves and smoke from the chimney. A sound unit was also fitted. The engine remains there, but the tender was scrapped to make more space for the shopping centre occupying that station building. The Bluebell Railway Atlantic Group purchased the axleboxes, springs and the complete wheel sets from the tender for use in their newbuild Atlantic project.

Number Name Built 4 2 2 rebuild Withdrawn Details and information3001Amazon10/189406/1908Previously the name of a Rover Class locomotive withdrawn in 1892; named after a nation of female warriors in Greek mythology.3002Atalanta06/189409/1908Named after a character in Greek mythology3003Avalanche05/189406/1909Previously the name of a Banking Class locomotive withdrawn in 18653004Black Prince11/189410/1911Named after the eldest son of Edward III3005Britannia11/189402/1908The Roman name for Britain3006Courier06/189402/1914Previously the name of a Rover Class locomotive withdrawn in 18923007Dragon08/189403/1912Previously the name of a Rover Class locomotive withdrawn in 18923008Emperor10/189408/1912Previously the name of a Rover Class locomotive withdrawn in 18923009Flying Dutchman11/189408/1912Named after the winner of the Epsom Derby in 18493010Fire King09/189409/1908Previously the name of a Banking Class locomotive withdrawn in 18753011Greyhound01/189409/1911Named after the breed of racing dog3012Great Western06/189405/1909Previously the name of a Rover Class locomotive withdrawn in 18923013Great Britain11/189402/1914Previously the name of a Rover Class locomotive withdrawn in 18923014Iron Duke10/189406/1908Previously the name of the Iron Duke Class and a locomotive of that class; in this case it was reused from a locomotive of the Rover Class withdrawn in 1892. One of two locomotives of the class named after the Duke of Wellington.3015Kennet08/189406/1908Named after the River Kennet. The locomotive was involved in the Slough rail accident of 1900.3016Lightning11/189403/1911Previously the name of a Rover Class locomotive withdrawn in 18923017Prometheus09/189409/1908Originally named Nelson, for Horatio Nelson; renamed May 1895; previously the name of a Rover Class locomotive withdrawn in 1892. Prometheus is a Titan in Greek mythology.3018Glenside08/189406/1913Built as Racer (a term for fast trains from the mid 19th century); renamed September 19113019Rover05/189409/1908Previously the name of the Rover class of locomotives, and of an Iron Duke Class locomotive withdrawn in 18713020Sultan09/189402/1908Previously the name of a Rover Class locomotive withdrawn in 18923021Wigmore Castle03/189405/1909Built to broad gauge. Involved in an accident in Box Tunnel in 1893. Named after a ruined castle in Herefordshire3022Bessemer07/189402/1909Built to broad gauge and originally named Rougemont (previously the name of an Iron Duke Class locomotive withdrawn in 1879). Renamed in 1898, after Henry Bessemer, who invented the first process for mass producing steel.3023Swallow09/189409/1912Built to broad gauge; previously the name of an Iron Duke Class locomotive withdrawn in 18713024Storm King12/189402/1909Built to broad gauge.3025Quicksilver10/189409/1908Built to broad gauge and named St. George. Renamed May 1907, after the element mercury; previously the name of a Saint Class locomotive, which was itself renamed The Abbott 03/1907.3026Tornado06/189402/1909Built to broad gauge; previously the name of a Rover Class locomotive withdrawn in 1892.3027Worcester11/189407/1914Built to broad gauge and originally named Thames; renamed December 1895.3028Wellington07/189402/1909Built to broad gauge. Previously the name of an Ariadne Class locomotive withdrawn in 1873. One of two locomotives in the class named after Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.3029White Horse07/189405/1909During the first half of the 19th Century the West Country saw several hill figures carved by garrisoned troops, often in the form of a white horse; these were inspired by the original Uffington White Horse in the Vale of the White Horse, in Berkshire (Oxfordshire since 1974).3030Westward Ho10/189405/1909Named after a brand of tobacco produced by W. D. & H. O. Wills. The workers on the gauge conversion in 1892 were issued with each.3031Achilles07/1912Namesake of its class of locomotives; previously the name of a Firefly Class locomotive withdrawn in 1867.3032Agamemnon10/1913Agamemnon was a character in Greek mythology; served in both the American Revolutionary War and Napoleonic Wars, and was Nelson's favourite battleship.3033Albatross07/19113034Behemoth10/1908Previously the name of a Pyracmon Class locomotive withdrawn in 18733035Beaufort05/1909Originally named Bellerophon (previously the name of a Premier Class locomotive withdrawn in 1870); renamed December 1895.3036Crusader03/19113037Corsair10/1908Previously the name of a Bogie Class locomotive withdrawn in 1873; named after the North African pirates.3038Devonia10/1908Named for Devon3039Dreadnought07/1915An allusion to the power of a steam locomotive.3040Empress of India03/1912A title of Queen Victoria3041James Mason11/1912Originally Emlyn; renamed The Queen 1897 (previously the name of a Prince Class locomotive, withdrawn 1870); renamed James Mason June 1910.3042Frederick Saunders01/19123043Hercules12/1913Previously the name of a Hercules Class locomotive withdrawn in 18703044Hurricane10/1908Named after the horse that won the 1,000 Guineas in 18623045Hirondelle05/1914Previously the name of a Rover Class locomotive withdrawn in 1891; French for 'swallow'.3046Lord of the Isles10/1908Previously the name of an Iron Duke Class locomotive withdrawn in 1884. Lord of the Isles is a Scottish title of nobility.3047Lorna Doone11/1912A novel by Richard Doddridge Blackmore set in 17th Century Devon, within the GWR region3048Majestic06/1913Named after , a battleship launched the month prior to the locomotive's delivery3049Nelson07/1913Originally named Prometheus; renamed May 1895. Previously the name of an Ariadne Class locomotive withdrawn in 1873.3050Royal Sovereign12/1915Royal Sovereign was a contemporary term for Queen Victoria. This name was temporarily transferred to Atbara Class locomotive no. 3373 when it hauled the Royal Funeral Train from Paddington on 2 February, 1901.3051Stormy Petrel11/1912Named for the storm petrel3052Sir Walter Raleigh09/1913Named after the Elizabethan nobleman and explorer who was involved in the English settlement of Virginia, and popularized tobacco smoking in Europe3053Sir Francis Drake 09/1911 Named after the Elizabethan sea captain, navigator and slave trader, famous for the defeat of the Spanish Armada and the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe3054Sir Richard Grenville10/1911 Named after the Elizabethan privateer and explorer, involved with Raleigh in the settlement of North America, and with Drake's action against the Spanish Armada3055Lambert02/1914Built as Trafalgar (previously the name of an Ariadne Class locomotive withdrawn in 1871); renamed July 1901. Henry Lambert was a captain of the English navy during the Napoleonic Wars.3056Wilkinson10/1914Built as Timour (previously the name of a Rover Class locomotive withdrawn in 1892); renamed July 1901.3057Walter Robinson09/1912Built as Tartar (previously the name of a Rover Class locomotive withdrawn in 1892); renamed July 1901.3058Grierson02/1912Built as Ulysses (previously the name of an Ariadne Class locomotive withdrawn in 1872); renamed May 1895. James Grierson was chief engineer of the GWR; his son William was also a civil engineer on the railway.3059John W. Wilson06/1913Named after John William Wilson, a Worcestershire Liberal Unionist politician.3060John G. Griffiths03/1915Built as Warlock (previously the name of a Rover Class locomotive withdrawn 1892); renamed 03/1908, after a director of the GWR 1908–22; name removed 03/1914.3061George A. Wills12/1912Built as Alexandra; name removed 11/1910; renamed 10/1911 after George Alfred Wills, a GWR director and chairman of Imperial Tobacco.3062Albert Edward04/1915Named after the first son of Queen Victoria, the Prince of Wales and future King Edward VII3063Duke of York01/1912Named after George Frederick, the grandson of Queen Victoria who would later become King George V.3064Duke of Edinburgh09/1911Named after Alfred, Queen Victoria's second son.3065Duke of Connaught10/1914Named after Arthur, Queen Victoria's third son.3066Duchess of Albany10/1913Named after Helena, the wife of Queen Victoria's youngest son Leopold.3067Duchess of Teck12/1914Named after Queen Victoria's cousin, Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge (mother of Mary of Teck, who became Queen Mary as wife of King George V)3068Duke of Cambridge11/1912Named after Queen Victoria's cousin, Prince George, Duke of Cambridge, who was commander in chief of the British Army until 18953069Earl of Chester06/1912A title given to Albert Edward when he became Prince of Wales.3070Earl of Warwick10/1914Named after Francis Greville, a Conservative politician who served in the House of Commons 1879–92 and the House of Lords until his death in 1924.3071Emlyn10/1914Named after the Emlyn area of South Wales, served by the GWR3072Bulkeley08/1912Built as North Star (previously the name of a Star Class locomotive withdrawn 1871); name removed early 1906; renamed 09/1906 (previously the name of a Sir Watkin Class locomotive withdrawn 1872).3073Princess Royal10/1912Title of Queen Victoria's eldest daughter3074Princess Helena12/1915Named after Queen Victoria's third daughter3075Princess Louise06/1912Named after the eldest daughter of Albert Edward and granddaughter of Queen Victoria3076Princess Beatrice07/1912Named after Queen Victoria's fifth daughter3077Princess May11/1912Named after George Frederick's wife Mary of Teck3078Eupatoria11/1911Previously the name of a Rover Class locomotive withdrawn 1892; the Battle of Eupatoria was fought in the Crimean War3079Thunderbolt09/19113080Windsor Castle10/1913Named after the residence of the Royal Family, in Berkshire

Hornby Railways manufacture a model of the 3031 Class in OO gauge. A model of the "Duke of Connaught" was produced by Lesney Products as Y 14 in the Models of Yesteryear range from 1959 to 1963.

The coat of arms of the old Borough of Swindon (1900–74) includes an image of 3029 White Horse on the shield. The coat of arms was displayed on the splashers of the last Castle Class built (No. 7037 Swindon). STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway at Swindon acquired one of the splashers in 2012.