GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton

Southam Road and Harbury: Photo gwrsrh289

GWR Class 72XX 2-8-2T No 7247 heading south with a F head code on a mixed freight. C1957. The first wagon is a cattle van (telegraphic code MEX) - livestock wagons were, where possible, marshalled next to the engine to provide the animals with a smoother ride.

The class 72XX locomotives were rebuilt from the class 42XX 2-8-0T, which had been designed to haul Welsh coal traffic the short distance from the mines to the docks. However, with the decline of the Welsh coal trade in the 1930’s these engines needed to be redeployed, but their restricted bunker capacity was a problem. The solution was to extend the frames at the rear by 4’1”, enlarge the bunker capacity to hold 2tons more fuel and add a trailing radial axle.

Number 7247, started at Swindon in February 1916 as class 42XX No 4244. The number was changed to No 7247 when converted to a 2-8-2T in September 1938. No 7247 was finally withdrawn from Aberdare Shed (86J) in March 1963 and scrapped at J Cashmore, Newport in June 1965.

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