Great Western Railway 4073 Class or Castle Class Steam Locomotive

Read about the locomotive behind some of GWR’s express services – including the last steam train out of Paddington in 1965.

4-6-0

The Great Western Railway 4073 Class or ‘Castle Class’ Steam Locomotive is a 4-6-0 steam locomotive designed by Charles Collett for GWR express passenger trains. Developed from the Star Class, in all 171 engines were built between 1923 and 1950.

Withdrawal

Withdrawal began in the 1950s, although Clun Castle survived to work the last steam train out of Paddington in 1965.

Preservation

Preservation, however, meant that the story of this enduring locomotive could continue. On 4 March 1967, Clun Castle and Pendennis Castle hauled specials from Banbury and Oxford to Chester, marking the end of through trains between Paddington and Birkenhead.