Steam Locomotive Ex GWR/BR GWR steam locomotive 3855

Collett 2884 Class 2-8-0 heavy freight engine

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[Author and photographer © Dr Phil Brown PhD (plus help from AI these days), page updated May 10th 2026]

2884 class, Collett development of the Churchwood 2800 class, GWR steam locomotive 3855 2-8-0 freight locomotive built in Swindon 1942 to an improved design by Collett.

Technical detail specifications of steam locomotive GWR steam locomotive 3855:

Boiler pressure of GWR steam locomotive 3855: 225 lbf/sq.in.,  Weight of GWR steam locomotive 3855: loco 76.25 tons, tender 43.15 tons, Wheel diameter of GWR steam locomotive 3855: 3' 2'', 4' 7½", Valve gear of GWR steam locomotive 3855: Stephenson piston valves, Cylinders of GWR steam locomotive 3855 (diameter x stroke): 18½" x 30" (O), Tractive effort of GWR steam locomotive 3855: 35380 lbf., Power classification of GWR steam locomotive 3855: Class E 8F

Need pictures of Class 2884 ex GWR/BR steam locomotive 3855

BUT, for identical locomotives, see

BR 3814 Locomotive Ex GWR/BR Collett 2884 Class 2-8-0 heavy freight engine

BR 3822 Locomotive Ex GWR/BR Collett 2884 Class 2-8-0 heavy freight engine

BR 3850 Locomotive Ex GWR/BR Collett 2884 Class 2-8-0 heavy freight engine

3855 looks like these 2884 steam locomotives!

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GWR 2884 Class
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
GWR 2884 Class
3855
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Designer Charles Collett
Builder GWR Swindon Works
Build date 1938–1942
Total produced 83
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 13 ft 0 in (3.962 m)
Axle load 17 long tons 0 cwt (38,100 lb or 17.3 t)
(19.0 short tons) full
Adhesive weight 67 long tons 0 cwt (150,100 lb or 68.1 t)
(75.0 short tons) full
Loco weight 76 long tons 5 cwt (170,800 lb or 77.5 t)
(85.4 short tons) full
Tender weight 40 long tons 0 cwt (89,600 lb or 40.6 t)
(44.8 short tons) full
Fuel type Coal
Water cap 3,500 imperial gallons (16,000 l; 4,200 US gal)
Firebox:
• Firegrate area 27.07 sq ft (2.515 m2)
Boiler pressure 225 psi (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 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)
Valve gear Stephenson
Valve type piston valves
Performance figures
Tractive effort 35,380 lbf (157.4 kN)
Career
Operators GWR » BR
Class 2884
Power class GWR: E
BR: 8F
Numbers 2884–3866
Axle load class GWR: Blue
Withdrawn 1962–1965
Disposition Nine preserved, remainder scrapped
The Great Western Railway (GWR) 2884 Class is a class of 2-8-0 steam locomotive.

History
They were designed for heavy freight work and were a development of the earlier 2800 Class. The 2884s differed from the original engines in a number of respects, the most obvious being that a more modern Collett side window cab was provided and that they were built with outside steam pipes.

Production
83 of the 2884 class were built between 1938 and 1941. Those built during the war did not have the side window to the cab, and the side window on the others was plated over. This was to reduce glare, as a precaution against enemy air attacks. GWR 2884 class 3855 The windows were reinstated after the war.

The locomotives were so popular with the ex-Great Western crews that the British Railways Western Region operating authorities wanted more of the class built after nationalisation in 1948; however, this request was turned down in favour of BR Standard Class 9Fs.

Oil firing
Between 1945 and 1947, coal shortages caused GWR to experiment with oil fired 2800 locomotives. Eight of the 2884 class were converted and renumbered from 4850. 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.


1948 Locomotive Exchange Trials
The year 1948 also saw one of the 2884 class emerged remarkably successfully from the 1948 Locomotive Exchange Trials against more modern engines including the LMS 8F and the WD Austerity 2-8-0 and WD Austerity 2-10-0. It took the appearance in 1954 of the British Railways BR standard class 9F 2-10-0 to displace the 2800s from their main role of mineral haulage. Nevertheless, there was still work for them right up to the end of steam on the Western region in 1965. Six decades of service testify to the fundamental excellence of Churchward's original conception.

3855 Oct 1942 Aug 1965 East Lancashire Railway Undergoing Restoration Being restored from ex Barry Scrapyard condition.

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A brief history of steam locomotive 3855

GWR 3855 is a member of the Great Western Railway 2884 Class, the final and most developed batch of Churchward/Collett 2‑8‑0 heavy freight locomotives. Below is a full, structured, citation‑grounded history of locomotive 3855, synthesising all available information from the search results.

GWR 3855 is a 1942-built Collett 2884 Class 2‑8‑0, designed for heavy freight work. It served the GWR and later BR Western Region at depots including Southall, Pontypool Road, and Cardiff Canton, before withdrawal in the mid‑1960s. It is now preserved on the East Lancashire Railway.

1. Construction and Design of ex GWR steam locomotive 3855 (1942)

• Built: 1942 at GWR Swindon Works

• Designer: Charles Collett

• Class: 2884 Class (a development of the earlier 2800 Class)

• Purpose: Heavy mineral and general freight traffic

• Total class production: 83 locomotives (1938–1942)

Key design features

• More modern side‑window cab (plated over during WWII to reduce glare)

• Outside steam pipes

• Stephenson valve gear with piston valves

• Robust 2‑8‑0 wheel arrangement for high tractive effort and good adhesion

2. Technical Specifications of ex GWR steam locomotive 3855 (from class data and 3855‑specific measurements)

These values are directly confirmed for 3855:

• Boiler pressure: 225 psi

• Loco weight: 76.25 tons

• Tender weight: 43.15 tons

• Driving wheels: 4 ft 7½ in

• Leading wheels: 3 ft 2 in

• Cylinders: 18½ in × 30 in (outside)

• Valve gear: Stephenson

• Tractive effort: 35,380 lbf

General class specifications (identical for 3855):

• Water capacity: 3,500 gallons

• Firegrate area: 27.07 sq ft

• Superheater: 4‑ or 6‑element

3. Operational Career of ex GWR steam locomotive 3855 (GWR → BR)

GWR Service of ex GWR steam locomotive 3855 (1942–1948)

3855 entered traffic during wartime, allocated to heavy freight duties typical of the 2884 Class. The class was highly regarded by Western Region crews for reliability and power.

BR Western Region Service of ex GWR steam locomotive 3855 (1948–1960s)

Depot allocations for 3855 after nationalisation include:

• Southall (January 1948)

• Pontypool Road (March 1953)

• Cardiff Canton (March 1958)

These allocations place 3855 firmly in the South Wales and London freight networks, hauling coal, minerals, and general goods.

Withdrawal of ex GWR steam locomotive 3855

The 2884 Class was withdrawn between 1962–1965. 3855 falls within this range, though the exact withdrawal month is not given in the search results.

4. Preservation History of ex GWR steam locomotive 3855

• Current location: East Lancashire Railway

• Status: Static / under restoration (as of the latest available update)

Another source lists 3855 as preserved but under private ownership, confirming its survival but not contradicting the ELR location.

5. Context: The 2884 Class in GWR History

The 2884s were the final evolution of Churchward’s pioneering 2800 Class freight engines. Collett’s refinements—cab improvements, outside steam pipes, and wartime adaptations—made them some of the most capable freight locomotives on the GWR.

They were so successful that the Western Region requested more after 1948, but BR instead chose to build the Standard Class 9F.

6. Summary Table for ex GWR steam locomotive 3855

7. Why 3855 Matters (for your heritage work)

Given your interest in comparative locomotive histories:

• 3855 represents the peak of GWR heavy freight design before nationalisation.

• It is one of only nine preserved 2884 Class locomotives.

• Its South Wales allocations make it historically relevant to coal and mineral traffic—ideal for contextualising industrial heritage.

• Its presence on the ELR provides a strong northern preservation link, useful for visitor‑focused guides from Whitby.

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My Archive Steam Photos from the 1960s

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