Editing GWR 2900 Class (section)

==Production series==
The Saint class appeared in four production series built between 1905 and 1913, each of which differed in dimensions. There were also differences between members of each series in terms of the boilers used, wheel arrangement, and arrangements for superheating. Different series and individual locomotives within series were also fitted with different tenders ranging from {{convert|3500|impgal|abbr=on}} to {{convert|4000|impgal|abbr=on}} capacity.

===Scott series===
[[File:GWR 2900 Class No. 181.jpg|thumb|First series No. 181 ''Ivanhoe'' as built as a 4-4-2]]
Whilst 171 was undergoing trials in 1905 nine further locomotives were ordered to be built at Swindon Works to a similar design (Lot 154) followed by a further ten (Lot 158), totalling 19 locomotives in this series. Thirteen of these were built as 4-4-2s and six as 4-6-0s. However, by January 1913, Churchward was persuaded by the superior adhesion provided by a 4-6-0 and they had all been converted to this wheel arrangement.<ref name="2998 Lady of Legend">{{harvnb |Atlantic Option}}</ref> The new locomotives were numbered 172–190 (renumbered 2972–2990 in 1912). Twelve of the series were named after characters in the novels of [[Sir Walter Scott]]. Directors of the GWR accounted for most of the other names. The series was withdrawn between 1931 and 1951.

===Ladies===
A second series of ten similar locomotives appeared in May 1906 (Swindon Lot 164), numbered 2901–10 and named after historical, mythological or poetical 'Ladies'. Nos. 2904–6 had short tapered boilers and short [[smokebox]]es, whereas Nos. 2902–03 and 2907–10 had longer versions. All except 2901 had {{convert|18.125|x|30|in|mm|0|abbr=on|lk=on}} cylinders, giving a tractive effort of {{convert|23382|lbf|kN|2|abbr=on}}. No. 2901 ''Lady Superior'' was the first British locomotive to be built with a modern [[Wilhelm Schmidt (engineer)|Schmidt]] [[superheater]].<ref name="RCTS2"/> The remainder of the locomotives were fitted with Swindon No.3 superheaters between 1909 and 1911 and were withdrawn between 1933 and 1952.

In May 1906 [[Charles Collett]], then assistant manager of Swindon Works, supervised a demonstration run of number 2903 ''Lady of Lyons'', newly released from the erecting shop. By mile-post timings observed from the engine and from passing times recorded at [[Little Somerford railway station|Little Somerford]] and [[Hullavington railway station|Hullavington]] signal boxes, {{frac|4|1|2}} miles apart and with a descending gradient of 1 in 300 between them, a speed of approximately {{convert|120|mph}} was recorded, but this is not reliable enough to be considered a record.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Two Miles a Minute |journal=[[The Railway Magazine]] |date=April 1932 |page=305}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=This month in history |url=https://sr-rs.facebook.com/DidcotRailwayCentre/photos/this-month-in-history-may-1906-120-mph-with-a-saintmay-is-a-month-when-we-celebr/1775304622496418/  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/161421647218065/1775304622496418 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|publisher=[[Didcot Railway Centre]] |access-date=2 September 2018 |date=12 May 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Retirement of G.W.R. Chief Locomotive-Inspector |journal=[[The Times]] |date=14 January 1932 |page=20}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| first=W.A.| last=Tuplin| year=1965| title=Great Western Saints and Sinners| publisher=George Allen and Unwin }}</ref>

===Saints===
[[File:Cardiff General Station geograph-2423641-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|thumb|No. 2920 ''Saint David''; from the third production series, built 1907, at [[Cardiff Central railway station|Cardiff Central]] departing east towards Birmingham, 1953]]
A third series of twenty further locomotives appeared during August and September 1907 (Swindon Lot 170), numbered 2911–30 and named after Saints. The framing for these had long curved ends under the cab and over the cylinders, which greatly improved the rather angular appearance of the earlier locomotives. They were fitted with cone boilers and smokeboxes. In October 1908, No. 2922 ''Saint Gabriel'' was fitted with a Swindon No. 2 superheater. The following year the Swindon No. 3 superheater became standard for the class.<ref name=RCTS3>{{harvnb |le Fleming|1953 |p=H24}}</ref> Between 1909 and 1912 the remainder of the locomotives were fitted with the Swindon No. 3 superheater. The ''Saints'' were withdrawn between 1932 and 1951. No. 2925 ''Saint Martin'' was rebuilt with smaller wheels in December 1924 to become the prototype [[GWR 4900 Class|Collett 4900]] and renumbered 4900 but still carrying the same name.

===Courts===
[[File:Swindon Locomotive Depot geograph-2428181-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|thumb|2934 ''Butleigh Court'' from the fourth production series at Swindon Locomotive Depot in 1950]]
A fourth series of 25 locomotives appeared during the years 1911 to 1913 (Swindon Lots 185, 189 and 192). These were numbered 2931–55 and named after famous Courts (i.e. mansions). They were all built with superheaters and there were detailed differences between the boilers used on different lots.<ref name="RCTS3"/> They were all withdrawn between 1948 and 1953.

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" style="text-align:center"
|+ Table of orders and numbers{{sfnb|Allcock|Davies|le Fleming|Maskelyne|1968|pp=29–31}}
! Year !! Quantity !! Lot No. !! Works Nos. !! Locos Nos. (pre-1912) !! Loco Nos. (post-1912) !! Notes
|-
| 1902 || 1 || 132 || 1928 || 100 || 2900 || align=left | 
|-
| 1903 || 1 || 138 || 1990 || 98 || 2998 || align=left | 
|-
| 1903 || 1 || 145 || 2024 || 171 || 2971 || align=left | 
|-
| 1905 || 9 || 154 || 2106–2114 || 172–180 || 2972–2980 || align=left | Scott-series
|-
| 1905 || 10 || 158 || 2128–2137 || 181–190 || 2981–2990 || align=left | Scott-series
|-
| 1906 || 10 || 164 || 2199–2208 || 2901–2910 || 2901–2910 || align=left | Lady-series
|-
| 1907 || 20 || 170 || 2259–2278 || 2911–2930 || 2911–2930 || align=left | Saint-series
|-
| 1911 || 10 || 185 || 2426–2435 || 2931–2940 || 2931–2940 || align=left | Court-series
|-
| 1912 || 10 || 189 || 2476–2485 || 2941–2950 || 2941–2950 || align=left | Court-series
|-
| 1913 || 5 || 192 || 2506–2510 || — || 2951–2955 || align=left | Court-series
|}