The 5101 class of large prairie locomotives, with 140 built between 1929 and 1949, were updated versions of G J Churchward's 3100 class and were designed for outer suburban service. The final batch being completed after nationalisation never received full GWR livery, being released from Swindon in GWR green but lettered BRITISH RAILWAYS in the GWR lettering style.
Fitted with the 5'8" driving wheels of the 43xx moguls the large prairies were capable of sustained fast running on mainlines and of running equally well in either direction, allowing for quicker turn-rounds at terminals. The 5101s and later 61xx locomotives were a popular alternative to the tender-equipped moguls needed for some busy branch lines lines, no need to use the turntable!
Seeking to further increase the power available for London suburban services Collett further adapted the 5101 class, fitting the 5101 chassis and engine with boilers built to work 225psi (vs 200psi for the standard 5101 and 43xx mogul), increasing peak tractive effort from 24,300lbs to 27,300lbs, these engines forming the 61xx class. Several major country routes and branches were to benefit from the higher powered 61xx engines in the British Railways period as DMUs took over London suburban duties. During December 1965 the last eleven locomotives were withdrawn all being from the 6100 batch.
Several 5101 class engines have been preserved, along with one official 61xx, however some 5101s carry 61xx boilers, including the WSRs 4160 and enginemen have found that, in comparison with the same locomotive set at 200psi, trains can be taken upgrade with less regulator opening or an extra coach hauled without concern.
Detail for the connoisseur
Many original GA drawings were used in the development of these accurate and authentic models.
To portray these locomotives over their lifetime the following details will be available where they are applicable through the addition of many separately added details
- Two different styles of safety valve cover
- Bunker lamp bracket shield
- Smoke box top mounted lamp bracket
- Smoke box door mounted lamp bracket for B.R. period
- Smoke box number plate for B.R. period
- Separately fitted top feed pipes and hand rails
- Separately fitted lifting rings
- Screw down and flip top water filler covers
- With and without cab side shutters
- Three cab profiles
- Curved and straight drop front running plate
- Appropriate motion bracket
Technical Specification
- Ultra-powerful and smooth 5 pole skew wound motor for great haulage and super controllable running.
- Dapol’s innovative toolless DCC & Speaker installation PCB. Simply remove the smokebox door, pull out the PCB, click your speakers and decoder in place and slide back into the locomotive. No tools, no solder, no mess, no fuss.
- Compensated chassis for reliable running and pick up through all driving wheels
- Cleverly designed front pony truck allows the cylinders to be moulded in full relief whilst still allowing the locomotive to navigate R2 (438mm/17.2inch) minimum radius curves with ease
- Realistic fire box glow (synchronised with sound)
- Sprung buffers
- All wheel drive
- Diecast and profiled wheels and steel tyres
- Finely engineered motion and prototypical connecting rods
- Pull out PCB with NEXT-18 decoder socket for easy DCC conversion