GWR 101 Class

The GWR 101 Class consisted of a single experimental 0-4-0 side-tank locomotive. It was built at GWR Swindon Works under the direction of William Dean’s Chief Engineer, James Holden in 1901.

Originally built as an oil-burning locomotive to demonstrate the economies of that technology. No. 101 employed a complex firebox and valve gear. It was intended for light passenger service on the Wrington Vale Light Railway near Bristol. However, due to technical issues associated with the design, the locomotive never saw the intended service. It remained at Swindon Works until 1905, at which time GWR rebuilt the locomotive as a conventional coal burning tank engine and used it as a works shunter. As a non-standard design the locomotive appears to have been withdrawn and scrapped in 1911.[1]

Despite being a unique, obscure and short-lived experimental loco, Hornby have been producing a 00 scale model of 101 since 1978, in many prototypical and non-prototypical guises. It is currently sold as part of the Railroad range.