GWR 56XX 0-6-2T

[14C to 83B]

Can anyone confirm for me, on the Great Western 56XX 0-6-2T’s when the driving wheel cranks and the coupling rod pins were amended from the GWR’s standard in line method to placing them at 180° and whether or not the adaption of the Stroudley type heavier weights were added to the coupled wheels at the same time. Some reference works say that this was first applied to the Armstrong Whitworth built engines 6650-6699 but I have seen a number of pictures of these engines when new and are only fitted with the original small counter weight fitted to just the driving set of wheels; that does not necessarily mean that they did not have the crank/coupling rod set at 180°. The amendment’s issue to Section 5 of the RCTS Locomotives of the Great Western confirms many of the engines had both the cranks amended to 180° and the Stroudley type counter weights fitted but does not give any dates but implies that this was only carried out retrospectively.

 

[Gloster]

Can anyone confirm for me, on the Great Western 56XX 0-6-2T’s when the driving wheel cranks and the coupling rod pins were amended from the GWR’s standard in line method to placing them at 180° and whether or not the adaption of the Stroudley type heavier weights were added to the coupled wheels at the same time. Some reference works say that this was first applied to the Armstrong Whitworth built engines 6650-6699 but I have seen a number of pictures of these engines when new and are only fitted with the original small counter weight fitted to just the driving set of wheels; that does not necessarily mean that they did not have the crank/coupling rod set at 180°. The amendment’s issue to Section 5 of the RCTS Locomotives of the Great Western confirms many of the engines had both the cranks amended to 180° and the Stroudley type counter weights fitted but does not give any dates but implies that this was only carried out retrospectively.

The Great Western Study Group would probably be the best people to contact as it contains some very knowledgeable people. Even better, why not join?