GWR Metropolitan Class


The Great Western Railway Metropolitan Class 2-4-0T broad gauge steam locomotives with condensing apparatus were used for working trains on the Metropolitan Railway. The equipment was later removed, though the class continued to work suburban trains on GWR lines in London. The class was introduced into service between June 1862 and October 1864, and withdrawn between June 1871 and December 1877.
Twenty-two locomotives were built to the 2-4-0T tank locomotive arrangement from 1862 to 1864. The locomotives were built by three workshops, each with a different naming system. The first two batches were delivered concurrently by the Vulcan Foundry, and Kitson & Co.. These were followed by a batch from the railway's own workshops at Swindon, that were named after flowers.
Around 1865, seven of the class were rebuilt as 2-4-0 tender locomotives: Hornet, Mogul, Azalia, Lily, Myrtle, Violet, Laurel.
All were withdrawn between 1871 and 1877.

Locomotives