The 1361 Class were small 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
thumb|left|No. 1365 at Old Oak Common after it was withdrawn from service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 As such they combined unusual and outdated elements, such as saddle tanks and Allan valve gear, with current Great Western details such as the cab, bunker and many minor fittings. G.W.R. 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 wheelbase allowed them to negotiate 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.
Locomotives
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!width=50|Number
!width=45|Built
!width=45|Withdrawn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
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. 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
External links
- 1361 tank class introduction The Great Western Archive