2-6-2T Class 45xx/ 4575/ 55xx 'Small Prairie' GWR Profile and Models
No 4566 at the Severn Valley Railway in August 2007. © Tony Hisgett
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The GWR 4500 Class (also known as the Small Prairie) was a mixed traffic locomotive, used mainly on branch lines across the GWR network. They were based on the earlier 4400 Class but featured larger driving wheels and altered wheel spacing which allowed for a higher top speed of 60mph in service. The first batch was notable for being the last steam locos built at Stafford Road Works in Wolverhampton, with one of this batch being the final Wolverhampton-built steam loco in service with BR. Further examples were built at Swindon. Collett later developed additional versions of the Small Prairie in the form of the 4575/ 55xx class. Three 45xx locos are preserved, with 11 of the later 4575/ 55xx locos also in preservation. |
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Type of Locomotive |
Steam |
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Builder |
Wolverhampton Works Swindon Works |
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Build Dates |
45xx: 1906 to 1924 4575/ 55xx: 1927 to 1929 |
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Total Built |
45xx: 75 575/ 55xx: 100 |
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Tractive Effort |
21,250 lbf |
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Top Speed |
60 mph |
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Wheel Configuration |
2-6-2T |
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Operated By |
Great Western Railway British Railways |
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Main Duties |
Mixed Traffic |
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In Service Until |
1964 |
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Surviving Locos |
45xx: 3 4575/ 55xx: 11 |
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)
GWR green
London Transport
BR plain black
BR green with early emblem
BR black with early emblem
BR green with late crest
Awaiting Categorisation
N Gauge
BR black with British Railways lettering
O Gauge (1:43 Scale)
1:32 Scale (Gauge 1)
Gauge 3 (1:22.5 Scale)
