The GWR 2600 Class, commonly known as the Aberdares, were built for the Great Western Railway between 1900 and 1907. Designed under the direction of William Dean, the class comprised 80 heavy freight 2-6-0 locomotives intended primarily for hauling coal traffic, particularly from the South Wales. The design followed the Great Western’s standardisation policies of the period, sharing components and general layout features with other classes. Withdrawals began in 1934, though a number of locomotives were retained in store and later reactivated during the early years of the Second World War to meet increased freight demands. The final examples were withdrawn by 1949.