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GWR 1361 Class
GWR 1361 Class
GWR 1361 Class
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1361 Class
1364 at Plymouth Dock in 1948
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerG. J. Churchward
BuilderGWR Swindon Works
Order numberLot 179
Serial number2375–2379
Build date1910
Total produced5
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte0-6-0ST
 • UICC nt
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Driver dia.3 ft 8 in (1.118 m)
Minimum curve2 chains (132 ft; 40 m)
Wheelbase11 ft 0 in (3.35 m)
Length25 ft 7+1⁄2 in (7.81 m) over buffers
Width8 ft 6 in (2.591 m)
Height11 ft 7 in (3.531 m)
Axle load12 long tons 0 cwt (26,900 lb or 12.2 t)
(12.2 t; 13.4 short tons)
Loco weight35 long tons 4 cwt (78,800 lb or 35.8 t)
(35.8 t; 39.4 short tons) full
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity2 long tons 0 cwt (4,500 lb or 2 t)
(2.0 t; 2.2 short tons)
Water cap.800 imp gal (3,600 L; 960 US gal)
Firebox:​
 • Grate area10.71 sq ft (0.995 m2)
BoilerGWR 1392[1]
Boiler pressure150 lbf/in2 (1,030 kPa)
Heating surface:​
 • Firebox74.75 sq ft (6.945 m2)
 • Tubes815.5 sq ft (75.76 m2)
 • Total surface890.25 sq ft (82.707 m2)
CylindersTwo, outside
Cylinder size16 in × 20 in (406 mm × 508 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort14,835 lbf (65.99 kN)
Career
OperatorsGreat Western Railway
British Railways
Power classUnclassed
Numbers1361–1365
Axle load classUnclassed
Withdrawn1961–1962
DispositionOne preserved, remainder scrapped

The 1361 Class were small 0-6-0ST steam locomotives built by the Great Western Railway at their Swindon Works, England, mainly for shunting in docks and other sidings where track curvature was too tight for large locomotives.

History

[edit]
No. 1365 at Old Oak Common after it was withdrawn from service

The 1361 Class were designed by George Jackson Churchward as an update of the 1392 Class, originally built in 1874 for the Cornwall Minerals Railway. As such they combined unusual and outdated elements, such as saddle tanks and Allan valve gear, with current Great Western details such as the cab, bunker and many minor fittings.[2] G.W.R. 0-6-0T were generally being converted to have Belpaire fireboxes and pannier tanks by this date, but the firebox on the 1361 was round topped, so the saddle tank was more appropriate. The 11 ft 0 in (3.35 m) wheelbase allowed them to negotiate 2 chains (132 ft; 40 m) radius curves, a requirement for work in docks and on lightly laid branch lines. Although the design is credited to the Churchward, Harold Holcroft was the junior draughtsman who did the actual work on the class.[2]

The five locomotives were built at Swindon in 1910 and were worked alongside the ex-Cornwall Minerals Railway locomotives. Their usual home was Plymouth Millbay, Devon, (later Laira shed) from where they worked in Millbay Docks and on the Sutton Harbour branch. Until 1928 some of the class could also be found at St Blazey engine shed, Cornwall, where they worked on ex-Cornwall Minerals Railway branches, and also at Moorswater for working the Looe branch.

In 1920 one locomotive was transferred to Newton Abbot, Devon, for shunting the railway workshops there, doing so until 1952. Other allocations were Taunton (1953–1961) for working at Bridgwater, Somerset, (again, mainly in the town's docks), and Swindon (1956–1961). One was tried briefly on the Weymouth Harbour Tramway in 1949, and another went to St Philips Marsh, Bristol in 1962.

The same basic design was used for the six 1366 Class locomotives built in 1934, but this time they were fitted with Belpaire fireboxes, pannier tanks and more modern cabs. When the 1361s were withdrawn their remaining jobs were given to D2000 diesel shunters. All five examples were in service over 50 years.

Preservation

[edit]
1363 at Didcot Railway Centre, 2005

One member of the 1361 class, No. 1363, was purchased for preservation by a group of members from the Great Western Society in 1964, two years after it was withdrawn from British Railways service at Laira. It was run to Totnes on the South Devon Railway under its own steam, and was restored there. No. 1363 is based at the Didcot Railway Centre, and as of 2014 was dismantled for overhaul to working order.[3]

Locomotives

[edit]
Number Built Withdrawn Notes
1361 1910 1961
1362 1910 1961
1363 1910 1962 Preserved at Didcot Railway Centre, currently under overhaul.
1364 1910 1961
1365 1910 1962

Models

[edit]

Kernow Model Rail Centre announced plans in 2014 to manufacture an 00 gauge model of the 1361 class in conjunction with DJ Models. The model is being made in partnership with the Great Western Society at Didcot.[4] Heljan models announced in 2015 plans to also manufacture a model of this class. Both manufacturers are offering the same livery variants (in some cases on the same locomotive modelled), and similar prices. Heljan's model was released in early 2017 in conjunction with a GWR 1366 class. Kernow's model, produced by DJ Models, was released in March 2018. Both models are manufactured in China. An 0 gauge model kit is produced by Agenoria, now marketed by Ragstone Models.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

GWR 1361 Class

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The GWR 1361 Class was a class of five saddle tank steam locomotives built by the Great Western at its in 1910, designed primarily for shunting heavy loads in confined spaces such as docks and sidings with severe curves. These locomotives, numbered 1361 to 1365 and constructed to Lot No. 179, represented an update to the earlier 1392 Class originally built for the Minerals in , incorporating a short 11-foot to navigate tight radii as low as 2 chains. Designed under the supervision of Chief Mechanical Engineer by Harold (or Harry) Holcroft, they featured outside cylinders measuring 16 inches in diameter by 20 inches in stroke, 3-foot-8-inch driving wheels, and a with a maximum pressure of 150 pounds per , delivering a of 14,835 pounds. Their saddle tanks held 800 gallons of water, with a coal capacity of 2 tons, and the locomotives weighed approximately 35 tons 4 , equipped with Allan valve gear and a round-topped that included 207 fire tubes for efficient steaming in short-haul operations. Intended for dockyard service, the class primarily operated at locations including Plymouth's Millbay Docks and Sutton Harbour, Weymouth Harbour, St Blazey, Moorswater on the Caradon branch, Newton Abbot, Taunton, Swindon, and Bristol, where their compact design and roomy cabs with large windows proved advantageous for maneuvering in restricted areas. Notable features included full vacuum brakes, steam heating apparatus, a warning bell, and a larger chimney extending 4.5 inches above the cab roof, with some units temporarily named (e.g., No. 1363 as Viking). As the last saddle tank engines built at Swindon, they marked the end of an era for this configuration on the GWR before the shift toward pannier tanks. The locomotives entered British Railways stock upon in 1948 and continued in service until withdrawal between 1961 and 1962, replaced by diesel shunters. Only one example, No. 1363, survives in preservation, acquired by the Great Western Society and undergoing overhaul at the as of 2024, where it serves as a rare representative of early 20th-century GWR shunting power.

Design and specifications

Development background

The GWR 1361 Class locomotives were designed by Harold Holcroft under the supervision of in 1909–1910 to address the requirement for compact shunting engines with a short , enabling them to operate effectively in dockyards featuring severe curves. These engines were particularly suited for heavy shunting tasks on lightly laid tracks with sharp bends, prioritizing maneuverability over speed. The design responded to specific operational demands at key GWR facilities, including Plymouth Millbay and Weymouth Harbour, where the locomotives needed to negotiate tight radius turns during freight handling. A wheelbase of just 11 feet was emphasized to ensure the engines could traverse these confined spaces without derailing or instability, making them ideal for dockside duties. Influences for the 1361 Class stemmed from earlier GWR saddle tank designs, notably the 1392 Class locomotives originally built in 1874 for the Minerals Railway, which provided a proven template for robust shunting performance. The new class retained a focus on simplicity and durability, incorporating saddle tanks and outside cylinders while deliberately omitting leading or trailing wheels to maximize and reduce complexity in heavy-duty environments. This development formed part of Churchward's overarching initiatives for GWR locomotives in the early , which sought to unify components like boilers and frames across classes to enhance efficiency and reduce manufacturing costs. By adapting established elements into a modernized form, the 1361 Class exemplified Churchward's policy of evolutionary improvement within a standardized framework.

Technical features

The GWR 1361 Class locomotives featured a wheel arrangement with side-mounted saddle tanks, designed as compact shunting engines with driving wheels of 3 ft 8 in (1.118 m) diameter to facilitate operation on tight curves. They were equipped with two outside cylinders measuring 16 in × 20 in (406 mm × 508 mm), driving the wheels via Allan valve gear, which was an unusual choice for the era on the Great Western Railway. The was of the round-topped type, operating at a of 150 lbf/in² (1.03 MPa), with a barrel length of 8 ft 2 in (2.489 m) and a total evaporative heating surface of 890 sq ft (82.7 m²), comprising 815.5 sq ft (75.8 m²) from tubes and 74.75 sq ft (6.95 m²) from the firebox. The grate area measured 10.71 sq ft (0.995 m²), supporting efficient combustion in confined spaces. These locomotives delivered a of 14,835 lbf (66 kN) and had a total weight of 35 long tons 4 cwt (35.8 t) when fully loaded. Saddle tanks provided a water capacity of 800 imperial gallons (3,636 L), sufficient for short-haul duties, while coal bunkers held 2 long tons (2.03 t). The coupled wheelbase was a notably short 11 ft (3.35 m), enhancing maneuverability on sharp radii down to 2 chains (132 ft or 40 m). Overall length over buffers reached 25 ft 7½ in (7.81 m), with an axle loading of approximately 12 long tons 2 cwt (12.2 t).

Construction and operation

Production details

The five locomotives of the GWR 1361 Class, numbered 1361 to 1365, were constructed at in 1910 as part of Lot No. 179. Construction occurred over several months, with No. 1361 completed in April 1910, Nos. 1362 and 1363 in June 1910, and Nos. 1364 and 1365 in August 1910, resulting in identical builds without notable variations in design or components. The locomotives entered service under the GWR's numbering system and were configured as saddle-tank engines, suited for their intended shunting roles.

Service allocations and duties

The locomotives of the GWR 1361 Class were primarily allocated to Plymouth Millbay Docks from their entry into service in , where they undertook shunting duties for and general goods traffic within the confined spaces of the dockyard, navigating tight curves effectively due to their short 11-foot . These duties also extended to the adjacent Sutton Harbour branch, involving the handling of heavy loads such as wagons in areas with severe curvature restrictions that limited larger locomotives. Secondary allocations during the GWR era included postings to in until 1928, where locomotives assisted on the Cornwall Mineral Railway branches, including the Moorswater incline on the Caradon branch serving mining and quarrying operations, as well as light duties on the branch. By 1947, one example (No. 1362) was allocated to for shunting within the railway workshops, a role it fulfilled until around 1950 before transfer to . Following in 1948 under British Railways, the class retained their original numbering as 1361–1365 and continued primary dock shunting at Plymouth Laira and Millbay, often assisting with the positioning of for services by providing braking and steam heating capabilities. Later reallocations saw them at from 1953 to 1961 for shunting in Docks, , and at from 1956 to 1961 for general yard work around the carriage sheds and sawmills; one locomotive had a brief stint on the in 1949, equipped with a warning bell for running on public roads to handle passenger trains. Another saw short-term use at St Philips Marsh in in 1962, primarily for similar tight-space shunting before the class's replacement by diesel locomotives. Throughout their careers, the 1361 Class demonstrated reliability in hauling heavy trains on sharply curved branch lines and dock sidings, such as managing substantial coal traffic at Plymouth without derailing on radii as tight as 150 feet.
NumberBuiltMay 192231 Dec 1947August 1950Last Shed
136104/1910LairaLaira
136206/1910Laira
136306/1910LairaLairaLairaLaira
136408/1910LairaLaira
136508/1910LairaMillbayLaira

Withdrawal and preservation

Disposal of the class

The GWR 1361 Class locomotives were withdrawn from British Railways service between 1961 and 1962 as part of the transition to diesel power for shunting duties, particularly with the introduction of more efficient Class 03 diesel-mechanical shunters built from 1957 onward. This shift was accelerated by declining dock traffic volumes in the post-war era, reducing the demand for the class's specialized short-wheelbase design suited to tight curves in harbor sidings. Under British Railways' operational regime, the locomotives received no significant overhauls in their final years, underscoring the economic rationale for rapid phase-out amid rising maintenance costs for aging equipment. The broader context of BR's 1955 Modernisation Plan prioritized dieselization to cut operational expenses, rendering small steam shunters like the 1361 Class obsolete by the early 1960s. Of the four locomotives not preserved, Nos. 1361, 1362, and 1364 were scrapped at in 1962 following withdrawal. No. 1365, withdrawn from Swindon shed in November 1962, was sold to the private John Cashmore scrapyard in Newport, where it was broken up in 1965 after brief industrial use.

Status of preserved 1363

No. 1363, the sole surviving member of the GWR 1361 Class, was purchased in 1964 by members of the Great Western Society from British Railways' Plymouth Laira depot, where it had been stored following withdrawal from service in 1962, narrowly avoiding scrapping after Laira staff deliberately damaged its buffer beam to delay disposal. The was initially restored at on the South Devon Railway and later moved to the in 1969, where a new front buffer beam was fitted, before arriving at , its long-term home. Originally allocated to Plymouth for shunting duties at Millbay Harbour, 1363 operated at for passenger and demonstration trains until 1981, after which it was placed into storage as a static exhibit. A major overhaul commenced in 2014, with initial efforts concentrated on the boiler and frames to address deterioration from prolonged storage. By 2024, significant progress had been made on the chassis and mechanical components, including wheelsets and motion work, while the saddle tank required extensive replacement due to corrosion. As of August 2024, the overhaul is progressing well, with ongoing work on the boiler involving tube replacement and pressure vessel certification, and repairs to the saddle tank; it is supported by volunteer labor from the Great Western Society despite persistent funding challenges for parts and specialist inspections. No. 1363 continues under overhaul at Didcot. As the oldest GWR-built preserved locomotive at the site—constructed at Swindon Works in 1910—it holds particular historical value, representing Churchward's early adaptations of Cornwall Minerals Railway designs for broader GWR use. Preservation efforts rely heavily on dedicated volunteers and public donations to overcome financial hurdles, ensuring the locomotive's eventual restoration as a key exhibit for demonstrating early 20th-century shunting practices.

Modelling

00 gauge models

The GWR 1361 Class has been represented in 00 gauge (1:76 scale) through ready-to-run (RTR) models produced by major manufacturers, catering to modellers interested in Great Western Railway shunting operations. These models emphasize the class's compact design, making them suitable for layouts with restricted space. Heljan released the first RTR 00 gauge models of the 1361 Class in early , featuring a detailed and metal with rigging, all-wheel electrical pickups, and chemically blackened wheels for realism. The bodyshell includes factory-fitted separate details such as handrails, lamp irons, drain cocks, and a turned , while the cab is fully detailed and glazed. Available in liveries including GWR green with shirtbutton emblem and British Railways black with early lion emblem or late crest, these DCC-ready models with a 6-pin socket weigh approximately 135 grams and perform well on minimum radius 2 curves. In , Kernow Model Rail Centre commissioned DJ Models to produce an enhanced RTR range, released in March following collaboration with the Great Western Society at for prototype accuracy. These models incorporate separately fitted parts like wire handrails, etched cab-side numberplates, and brake rodding with shoes on the center and rear drivers, along with NEM-standard tension-lock couplings and a removable load in the cab. Liveries include GWR (shirtbutton and GWR lettering variants), British Railways black (early emblem and late crest), and works photographic grey, with options for pristine or weathered finishes and multiple numbering choices such as 1361, 1363, 1364, and 1365. The chassis reproduces the prototype's short 11-foot and 3-foot-8-inch wheels, enabling smooth, silent running on tight curves. Both Heljan and Kernow/DJ Models accurately capture the 1361 Class's short and compact form, which on the facilitated superior handling on sharp curves in dockyards and sidings. Weathered variants from the Kernow range particularly evoke the class's working environment in industrial settings. These models have gained among GWR modellers for shunting layouts, where their small and reliable low-speed enhance operations on harbour branches and yard scenes.

Larger scale representations

In larger scales such as O gauge (approximately 1:43 or 7mm to the foot), representations of the GWR 1361 Class emphasize detailed construction suitable for garden railways and fine-scale modeling, often requiring assembly or customization to replicate the locomotive's compact saddle tank and short design. A notable kit is the Agenoria Models AM62 for the GWR 1361 0-6-0ST, consisting primarily of castings with updated instructions and a detailed parts list; wheels, gears, and a motor must be sourced separately to complete the model. Now produced and marketed by Ragstone Models, this kit covers locomotives numbered 1361 to 1365 and is planned for rerelease, though availability was listed as to be confirmed as of 2019. These kits appeal to enthusiasts for their potential in outdoor setups, where the robust materials withstand environmental exposure. Ready-to-run (RTR) options in 7mm scale include the GWR/BR 1361 0-6-0ST from CRT Kits, offering a powered model faithful to the class's proportions and suitable for shunting duties on larger layouts. Brass kits from Tower Models, imported under the Bachmann Brass label, provide unpainted chassis versions in early and late configurations, priced at £525 each, with fully assembled examples available through their workshop for those seeking high-fidelity representations. Scratch-building in 7mm scale draws on historical GWR drawings to recreate the class's unique features, such as the saddle tanks and Allen valve gear, as demonstrated in custom models like that of builder David L. O. Smith, which incorporates reworked motion and detailing for accuracy. Many such builds focus on the preserved No. 1363 at , using its static display as a reference for and condition. Modeling the 1361 Class at larger scales presents challenges in proportioning fine elements like the and riveted surfaces, where enlarged components demand precise fabrication to avoid visual exaggeration, often addressed through or refinements in kits.

References

  1. https://preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com/1361-gwr-churchward-0-6-0st/
  2. http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/m_in_060_1361.htm
  3. https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/60/1363-1361-class
  4. https://www.therailwayhub.co.uk/70359/a-visit-to-didcot-railway-centre/
  5. https://srmg.org.uk/news-blog/2018/3/13/review-kernow-dj-models-gwr-1361-class-saddle-tank
  6. https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/George_Jackson_Churchward
  7. http://www.swindonweb.com/index.asp?m=8&s=9&ss=269
  8. https://steamindex.com/locotype/gwrloco.htm
  9. https://steamindex.com/people/churchwd.htm
  10. https://www.steamlocomotive.com/locobase.php?id=3587
  11. http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/060_1361det.htm
  12. https://www.greatwestern.org.uk/m_in_060_1361.htm
  13. https://sremg.org.uk/diesel/class03.shtml
  14. https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20070701081305/http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/docSummary.php?docID=7
  15. https://www.mylifeintrains.com/my-photos-16
  16. https://www.rmweb.co.uk/forums/topic/126981-interface-between-industrial-and-mainline/page/2/
  17. https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/379/how-1363-was-preserved
  18. https://locomotive.fandom.com/wiki/GWR_1361_Class
  19. https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/613/going-loco-august-2024
  20. https://pocketmags.com/eu/railway-magazine/june-2024/articles/maintaining-interest
  21. https://www.hattons.co.uk/directory/versiondetails/1932/heljan_oo_0_6_0st_class_1361_gwr
  22. https://www.hattons.co.uk/171918/heljan_1302_class_1361_0_6_0st_1364_in_gwr_green/stockdetail
  23. https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/pg/150/KMRC-Locomotive---GWR-1361-Class-Saddle-Tank---00-Gauge
  24. http://www.ragstonemodels.co.uk/agenoria.html
  25. http://www.ragstonemodels.co.uk/uploads/4/8/6/4/48647195/agenoria_list_2019_v1.5.pdf
  26. https://www.crtkits.co.uk/index.php/2/71351/
  27. https://www.tower-models.com/towermodels/ogauge/towerbrass/brassloco/1361/index.htm
  28. https://www.davidlosmith.co.uk/GWR_1361Class.htm
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