Steam Locomotive 2807

Ex GWR/BR 2800 Class

2-8-0 heavy freight engine

(photo courtesy of Kentish Bob YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@kentishbob6423 )

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Overview and Historical Significance of 2807

GWR No. 2807 is a member of the 2800 Class, designed by George Jackson Churchward for the Great Western Railway (GWR). It was the first-ever 2-8-0 locomotive class to run in the UK, purpose-built for heavy freight.

• Built: August 1905 at Swindon Works (Lot 153, Serial No. 2102)

• Class: GWR 2800 (also known as 28XX)

• Designer: G.J. Churchward

• Purpose: Long-distance heavy freight across the GWR network

• Significance:

  • Oldest surviving 2800 Class locomotive

  • Oldest surviving Churchward standard design

  • Oldest GWR locomotive in private ownership

  • First 2800 Class engine rescued from Barry Scrapyard

Technical Specifications of2807

Heritage and Operational History of 2807

• Service Life: August 1905 – March 1963 (58 years)

• Operators: GWR → British Railways

• Mileage: Nearly 1.5 million miles in service

• Withdrawal: March 1963

• Barry Scrapyard Arrival: November 1963

• Rescue: 1981 by Cotswold Steam Preservation Ltd

• Restoration:

  • Began in 1981

  • Returned to steam in 2010 after 29 years

  • Operated on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (GWSR)

  • Withdrawn in 2020 for 10-year overhaul

  • Returned to service in Autumn 2023

Liveries and Identity of 2807

Livery History:

Loco Number: Always carried No. 2807 throughout its life.
Name: The 2800 Class were unnamed; 2807 has never carried a name.

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Technical details of locomotive 2807:

Boiler pressure of 2807: 225 lbf/sq.in.

Weight of 2807: loco 75.5 tons, tender 43.15 tons

Wheel diameter of 2807: 3' 2'', 4' 7¹/₂"

Valve gear of 2807: Stephenson piston valves

Cylinders of 2807 (diameter x stroke): 18¹/₂" x 30"(O)

Tractive effort of 2807: 35380 lbf, Power classification of 2807: Class E 8F

See also

BR 2857 Locomotive Ex GWR/BR 2800 Class 2-8-0 heavy freight engine

BR 2818 Locomotive Ex GWR/BR 2800 Class 2-8-0 heavy freight engine

Great Central Railway GR8 Escape GCR Steam Gala 2011: Profile of Ex GWR 2-8-0 freight locomotive 2807, one of the survivors of the Churchward 2800 class. 2807 was built at Swindon in 1905.

GWR steam locomotive 2807 was built in 1905 by the Great Western Railway in Swindon, England as part of their 2800 Class of steam locomotives. The class was specifically designed to haul heavy goods and coal trains on the steep gradients of the Welsh valleys.

During its time in service, locomotive 2807 operated across the Great Western Railway system, hauling both freight and passenger trains. It was also used during World War II to move munitions and other essential goods.

In 1948, the Great Western Railway was nationalized by the British government and became part of the newly formed British Railways. Locomotive 2807 was renumbered to 42807 and continued to operate on the British Railways system until it was withdrawn from service in 1963.

After being withdrawn, the locomotive was purchased by the Bodmin & Wenford Railway in Cornwall, England, where it continued to operate as a heritage steam locomotive. In 2014, it underwent a major overhaul and is currently in operational condition.

Today, GWR steam locomotive 2807 serves as a historic reminder of the golden age of steam railways in Great Britain and is a popular attraction for railway enthusiasts and tourists alike.

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Great Central Railway GR8 Escape GCR Steam Gala 2011: 2807 at Quorn and Woodhouse Station

Great Central Railway GR8 Escape GCR Steam Gala 2011: 2807 at Loughborough Central

2807 hauling a freight train into Loughborough Central Station

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Great Central Railway GR8 Escape GCR Steam Gala 2011: 2807 taking on water in Loughborough Central depot yard

Great Central Railway GR8 Escape GCR Steam Gala 2011: Ex GWRs 2807 and Ex GWR tank engine 5542 at Loughborough Central Station

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway:  Entering Keighley Station, NUNLOW with The Ingrow West Shuttle and GWR 2-8-0 freight locomotive 2807 on passenger train duties, waiting to depart with an Oxenhope train.

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway: Steam locomotive GWR 2807 leaving Keighley

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Keighley & Worth Valley Railway: GWR 2807 heads off to Oxenhope in the late afternoon sunlight.

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway:  Ex BR/GWR freight locomotive 2807 approaching Oxenhope with a passenger train from Keighley.

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway:  Portraits of ex GWR 2807

GWR 2807 on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway:

2807 running light at Grosmont at the NYMR Autumn Steam Gala 2014

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2807 passing Grosmont Shed with a train for Pickering at the NYMR Autumn Steam Gala 2014

GWR steam locomotive 2807 waits in Grosmont shed yard to take part in the NYMR Autumn Welsh Steam Gala 2016 overlooked by Manor 7822

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2807 entering Grosmont with a train from Pickering in the NYMR Autumn Welsh Steam Gala 2016.

2807 running light through Grosmont station in the NYMR Autumn Welsh Steam Gala 2016.

7822 leading 2807 with a double-header leaving Grosmont for Pickering during the NYMR Autumn Welsh Steam Gala 2016.

See also BR 2818 Locomotive Ex GWR/BR 2800 Class 2-8-0 heavy freight engine

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Type and origin
Power type Steam
Designer George Jackson Churchward
Builder GWR Swindon Works
Build date 1903, 1905–1919
Total produced 84
Specifications
Configuration:
​
• Whyte 2-8-0
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Leading dia. 3 ft 2 in (0.965 m)
Driver dia. 4 ft 7 1⁄2 in (1.410 m)
Minimum curve 7 chains (460 ft; 140 m) normal,
6 chains (400 ft; 120 m) slow
Length 63 ft 2 1⁄4 in (19.26 m)
Width 8 ft 11 in (2.718 m)
Height 12 ft 11 1⁄4 in (3.943 m)
Axle load 17 long tons 5 cwt (38,600 lb or 17.5 t)
(17.5 t; 19.3 short tons) full
Adhesive weight 67 long tons 10 cwt (151,200 lb or 68.6 t)
(68.6 t; 75.6 short tons) full
Loco weight 75 long tons 10 cwt (169,100 lb or 76.7 t)
(76.7 t; 84.6 short tons) full
Fuel type Coal
Water cap 3,500 imp gal (16,000 l; 4,200 US gal)
Firebox:
• Firegrate area 27.07 sq ft (2.515 m2)
Boiler pressure 225 lbf/in2 (1.55 MPa)
Heating surface:
• Tubes 1,686.60 sq ft (156.690 m2)
• Firebox 154.78 sq ft (14.380 m2)
Superheater:
​
• Type 4-element or 6-element
• Heating area 4-element: 191.8 sq ft (17.82 m2),
6-element: 253.38 sq ft (23.540 m2)
Cylinders Two, outside
Cylinder size 18.5 in × 30 in (470 mm × 762 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort 35,380 lbf (157.4 kN)
Career
Operators GWR » BR
Power class GWR: E
BR: 8F
Numbers 2800–2883 2807
Axle load class GWR: Blue
Withdrawn 1958–1965
Disposition Six preserved, One parts donor, remainder scrapped
The Great Western Railway (GWR) 2800 Class is a class of steam locomotive.

History of 2807
The class was designed by G.J. Churchward for heavy freight work. They were the first 2-8-0 'Consolidation' class in Great Britain.

The prototype, originally numbered 97 but later renumbered 2800, appeared in 1903. Construction of the production series commenced in 1905 and continued until 1919. The 2884 Class which appeared in 1938–1942 was developed from the 2800 class and is sometimes classified with it.

Prototype
No.97 undertook two years of trials before going into production. Initial results suggested that only the front end needed further development. Initially the boiler pressure of the 2-8-0 was set at 200 lbf/in2 (1.4 MPa) with 18-inch (457 mm) diameter cylinders. Tractive effort started out at 29,775 lbf (132.45 kN) but was increased substantially in the production engines by enlarging the cylinder diameter to 18 1⁄2 in (470 mm) and raising the steam pressure to 225 lbf/in2 (1.55 MPa). The 8 1⁄2 in (216 mm) piston valves were enlarged to 10 in (254 mm).

Production
The most visible difference between No.97 and the first of the 1905 production batch was the higher pitch of the boiler (8 ft 2 in or 2.49 m opposed to 7 ft 8 1⁄2 in or 2.35 m). At first the prototype was given a 4,000-imperial-gallon (18,000 l; 4,800 US gal) tender but almost without exception the 2800s were harnessed to the 3,500-imperial-gallon (16,000 l; 4,200 US gal) variety throughout their working lives. Superheating was incorporated into the class from 1909 with No.2808 the first to be retro-fitted. Other modifications centred on improving the weight distribution, altering smokebox lengths and fitting larger diameter chimneys. The 84 2800s built by Churchward remained the GWR's principal long haul freight engines throughout the 1920s and 1930s. The only serious problem met with in traffic was with the sealing of the internal steam pipes. Beginning in 1934 most of the class had them replaced with the outside kind.

Oil firing
Between 1945 and 1947, coal shortages caused GWR to experiment with oil fired 2800 locomotives and 12 of the 2800 class were converted. They were renumbered into the 4800 series, which necessitated re-numbering the entire 4800 class autotanks into the 1400 series, and reclassified as 1400 class. The experiment, encouraged by the government was abandoned in 1948 once the extra maintenance costs were calculated and the bill had arrived for the imported oil.

Built 2807 Oct 1905 Mar 1963 Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Operational, boiler ticket expires: 2020 Cotswold Steam Preservation Ltd GWR 2807 steam loco Salvaged from Woodham Bros in 1981 it was restored to running order at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, it is the oldest survivor of its class in preservation being 112 years old as of October 2017.

807
GWR 2807 September 2005.jpg
No. 2807 on the occasion of her 100th birthday celebration. This photograph was taken at Toddington on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway during September 2005.
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Build date October 1905
Specifications
Configuration:
​
• Whyte 2-8-0
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Career
Operators Great Western Railway, British Railways
Class GWR 2800 Class
Numbers 2807
Retired 1963
Current owner Cotswold Steam Preservation Ltd.
Steam locomotive GWR 2800 Class 2807.ogv
GWR 2800 Class 2807
GWR No.2807 is one of the survivors of the Great Western Railway's 2800 Class of 2-8-0 steam locomotives, also known as the 28XX class.

No. 2807 is

the oldest survivor of the class
the oldest survivor of G.J. Churchward's standard locomotives
the oldest locomotive saved from Woodham Brothers scrapyard at Barry, Wales.
No. 2807 was completed in October 1905 and not withdrawn until March 1963, completing just over 58 years of service. No. 2807 arrived at Woodham Brothers scrapyard in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales during November 1963.

Over 17 years later, in 1981, she was saved and moved to Toddington railway station on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway and restored to steam in 2010.

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A brief history of steam locomotive 5552

GWR 2807 is one of the most historically important Great Western Railway freight locomotives in existence — the oldest surviving 2800 Class, the oldest surviving Churchward standard design, and the oldest GWR locomotive in private ownership. It also holds the distinction of being the oldest locomotive rescued from Barry Scrapyard. Below is a full, structured, deeply detailed history synthesised from authoritative sources.

GWR 2807, built in August 1905, worked for 58 years across London, South Wales, the Midlands and the West Country, hauling coal, wartime “Jellicoe Specials”, and heavy freight. Withdrawn in 1963, it spent 17 years at Barry before being rescued in 1981. After a 29‑year restoration, it returned to steam in 2010, and after overhaul, re‑entered service in Autumn 2023.

1. Construction and Design of ex GWR 2-8-0 2807 (1905)

• Built: August 1905 at Swindon Works (Lot 153, Serial No. 2102)

• Designer: George Jackson Churchward

• Class: GWR 2800 / 28XX Class — the first 2‑8‑0s in Britain

• Purpose: Heavy, long‑distance freight, especially coal

Why 2807 is historically important

• Oldest surviving 2800 Class locomotive

• Oldest surviving Churchward standard design

• Oldest GWR locomotive in private ownership

• Oldest locomotive saved from Barry Scrapyard

2. Early Allocations and Pre‑WWI Service of ex GWR 2-8-0 2807 (1905–1914)

Initial allocations:

• Westbourne Park (Paddington area)

• Old Oak Common

Move to South Wales (from 1911)

• Worked heavy coal traffic from Aberdare

• Later based at Pontypool Road

This placed 2807 at the heart of the GWR’s most intensive mineral‑haulage region.

3. World War I: The “Jellicoe Specials” (1914–1918)

2807 played a vital wartime role hauling the famous Jellicoe Specials — continuous coal trains carrying Welsh steam coal to Lancashire ports for shipment to the Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow.

These trains were among the most strategically important freight workings in British railway history.

4. Interwar and GWR/BR Service of ex GWR 2-8-0 2807 (1919–1963)

Interwar allocations of ex GWR 2-8-0 2807

• Bristol

• Tyseley (from 1924), working the Stratford–Cheltenham line — the very route of today’s GWSR

British Railways era (from 1948)

Postings included:

• Hereford

• Worcester

• Chester

• Pontypool Road

• Ebbw Junction

• Newton Abbot

• Severn Tunnel Junction

Withdrawal of ex GWR 2-8-0 2807

• March 1963, after 1,472,687 miles and 57–58 years of service

5. Barry Scrapyard (1963–1981)

• Arrived at Woodham Brothers, Barry, in November 1963

• Remained there for 17+ years

• Oldest locomotive ever rescued from Barry

6. Preservation and Restoration of ex GWR 2-8-0 2807 (1981–present)

Rescue and move to Toddington

• Purchased by Cotswold Steam Preservation Ltd. in June 1981

• Became the first steam locomotive on the fledgling Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway

Restoration

• A 29‑year restoration by ~15 volunteers

• Returned to steam in 2010

• Tested at Llangollen before entering GWSR service

Preservation-era operations

• Ran ~42,000 miles during its first 10‑year ticket

• Visited major heritage lines including:

  • West Somerset Railway

  • Great Central Railway

  • Keighley & Worth Valley Railway

  • North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Overhaul and return to service of ex GWR 2-8-0 2807

• Withdrawn in 2020 for overhaul

• Resteamed September 2023

• Returned to service October 2023

7. Technical Specifications (class‑standard, confirmed for 2807)

8. Why 2807 Matters (heritage significance)

For your comparative railway‑history work:

• It is the earliest surviving example of Churchward’s revolutionary standardised locomotive policy.

• It represents the birth of British 2‑8‑0 freight power, influencing later GWR, LMS, and BR Standard designs.

• Its wartime service on the Jellicoe Specials gives it national strategic importance.

• Its Barry rescue story makes it a cornerstone of the preservation movement.

• Its long association with the GWSR provides a strong educational and visitor‑experience narrative.

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My Archive Steam Photos from the 1960s

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Good trainspotting 'TRAINSPOTS' Good trainspotting and photographic locations  Barnetby Station, North Lincolnshire  *  Carlisle Station  *  Clapham Junction Station, London  *  Colton Junction, south of York  * Coventry *  Crewe Station  *  Doncaster Station, South Yorkshire  * Grantham * Hellifield station - Carlisle to Settle line * Lancaster station  * Leicester station * Newcastle Station  *  Northallerton Station  *  Nuneaton Station  * Peterborough *  Sheffield Station  *  Stratford Station, East London * Tamworth * Warrington Bank Quay station * Wigan North Western - WCML *  York Station

INDEX of My IMAGES OF PRESERVED STEAM LOCOMOTIVES

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