This week we return back to a BR Standards, looking at the power Class 3 mixed traffic tender engines. After looking back on the 77XXX Class, we will look at the background and progress made by The 77021 Locomotive Group in building 77021, the 21st member of the Standard 3 tender engines.
Background to the Standard 3 Tender Engines
Like the Standard 3 Tanks, the 77XXX were built at the Ex-Great Western Railway (GWR) Swindon Works. Design influence came from both Ex-London, Midland and Scotland Railway’s (LMS) Designs and Ex-GWR Designs, leading to the Standard 3 tender engines having similar ‘bottom-ends’ and other components to LMS Design and featuring a slightly modified GWR No. 2 Boiler.
Only 20 engines were built, making the 77XXXs one of the smaller numbered classes of the BR Standard range. Although the class was mechanically sound engines, with both tender and tank engines of power classification 2 and 4, there was little need for Standard 3s. Originally, the 77XXXs were allocated to the North Eastern and Scottish Region. One class member, 77014, was reallocated to the Southern, being the last member of the class in services, surviving until July 1967.
Withdrawal of the class started when 77010 was withdrawn in 1965. The majority of the class were cut up in 1966, with only three engines lasting into 1967. Unfortunately, none of the class were preserved.
Background of The 77021 Locomotive Group
The project is one of the newer new build projects, starting in 2013. Being a reliable design and light axle Loading, 77021 would be a perfect engine for hauling trains on preserved railways. Also, the cost of construction is hoped to be kept down by using patterns and parts already available and also sharing many parts in common with 82045, the New Build Standard 3 Tank.
Progress to Date
The project is in the early stages of construction, with the group obtaining various smaller parts.
Engineering of Wolstanton, near Newcastle-Under-Lyme
The largest and latest part produce for 77021 is a smokebox door, including hinges, handles, smokebox number plate, shed code and self-cleaning plaque. Other parts such as buffers, j-pipe, and oil feed boxes to name a few, have been obtained by the Group.
We have come to the end of this week’s Project Information. Don’t worry, we have plenty of projects already done and more to come. Come back next Friday where we will be looking into the New Build GWR Hawksworth County taking place at Didcot Railway Centre.
- Visit The 77021 Locomotive Group’s Facebook Page
For more information
I would love to see a 77XXX 3MT at any scale … 4mm but especially 12” to the Foot. Any more news about 77021? It has gone a bit quiet.
I’ve have a Class 3 in 7.1/4” gauge. I acquired int two years ago.
I don’t know how I. An post a photo of it in the forum.
Hi,
If you need help posting pictures onto our community pages, then please drop us an email and we can help you get it uploaded
Hi Alan.
I’ll try to send you over some photos of the class 3.
It’s not a pure replica as the builder designed and fitted it out with Stephenson’s valve gear over the usual Walschaerts valve gear.
hi Jamie writing from Bristol is the new 3mt 77021 undergoing construction to working order once the new 3mts completed has he Gotta do some running in trails and some tests between kidderminster and Bridgnorth along the whole length of the line plus light engine movements and mk1 coaches also has he Gotta have air brake fitted TPWS AWS and OTMR for running on network rail plus a support coach and also will he haul the Carmarthen coast and the Pembroke coast express’s the southern Irishman and the Belfast boat express’s from Bristol temple meads to Carmarthen Pembroke dock and fishguard harbour and return along with 70000 Britannia 70013 oliver Cromwell 71000 duke of Gloucester 72010 hengist 73050 city of Peterborough and 76079 pocket rocket (Edited by admin to remove personal information)