Editing GWR 2900 Class

{{Short description|Class of GWR steam locomotive manufactured 1902–1913}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox locomotive
|name=Great Western Railway 2900 ''Saint'' class
|powertype=Steam
|image= Tilehurst with down Cheltenham express geograph-2896577-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
|caption=2981 ''Ivanhoe'' at [[Tilehurst]] in 1948
|designer=[[George Jackson Churchward]]
|builder=[[Great Western Railway|GWR]] [[Swindon Works]]
|builddate=1902-1913
|totalproduction = 77
|gauge={{Track gauge|uksg|allk=on}}
|whytetype=[[4-6-0]] (thirteen examples were built as [[4-4-2 (locomotive)|4-4-2]] but rebuilt to 4-6-0 1912/13).
|uicclass=2'Ch2
|leadingdiameter={{convert|3|ft|2|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
|driverdiameter={{convert|6|ft|8+1/2|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
|trailingdiameter={{convert|4|ft|1+1/2|in|m|3|abbr=on}} (4-4-2 only)
|wheelbase=''loco:'' {{convert|27|ft|1|in|m|2|abbr=on}} – <br/>{{convert|27|ft|7|in|m|2|abbr=on}}<br/>''loco & tender:''<br/> {{convert|53|ft|4+3/4|in|m|2|abbr=on}} –<br/> {{convert|53|ft|10+3/4|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
|length={{convert|63|ft|0+1/4|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
|width={{convert|8|ft|11|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
|height={{convert|13|ft|3+1/2|in|abbr=on}}
|axleload={{convert|18|LT|t ST|lk=on}}
|cylindercount=Two, outside
|cylindersize={{convert|18|x|30|in|mm|0|abbr=on|lk=on}} or<br/> {{convert|18+1/2|x|30|in|mm|0|abbr=on|lk=on}}
|boiler=GWR Standard No. 1 (with variations)
|boilerpressure={{convert|225|psi|MPa|2|abbr=on|lk=on}} (production series)
|firearea={{convert|27.22|sqft|abbr=on}}
|fireboxarea={{convert|154.94|sqft|abbr=on}}
|tubesandflues={{convert|1485.96|sqft|abbr=on}}
|superheatertype = "Swindon No. 3" 
|superheaterarea={{convert|307.52|sqft|abbr=on}}
|tractiveeffort={{convert|20530|lbf|kN|2|abbr=on}} – {{convert|24395|lbf|kN|2|abbr=on}}
|fuelcap={{convert|5|LT|t ST|abbr=on}}
|watercap={{convert|3500|impgal|abbr=on}} – {{convert|4000|impgal|abbr=on}}
|locoweight={{convert|68.30|LT|t ST}}
|tenderweight={{convert|43.15|LT|t ST}}
|valvegear=[[Stephenson valve gear|Stephenson]]
|valvetype={{convert|10|in|mm|0}} piston valves<br/>(2935 rebuilt with poppet valves)
|operator=[[Great Western Railway]]<br/>[[British Railways]]
|operatorclass=2900 or ''Saint''
|powerclass=GWR: C<br/>BR: 4P
|fleetnumbers = 2900–2955, 2971-2990, 2998
|axleloadclass=[[Great Western Railway Weight Classification|GWR: Red]]
|numinclass=76
|retiredate=1924, 1931–1953
|disposition=One rebuilt as [[GWR 4900 Class|Hall]] class (2925/4900 ''Saint Martin''), remainder [[scrap]]ped; One 4900 example has been backdated to 29XX specification}}

The '''Great Western Railway 2900 Class''' or '''''Saint'' Class''' was built by the [[Great Western Railway]]'s [[Swindon Works]]. The class incorporated several series of 2-cylinder [[steam locomotive]]s designed by [[George Jackson Churchward]] and built between 1902 and 1913 with differences in dimensions for comparative purposes. The majority of these were built as [[4-6-0]] locomotives; but thirteen examples were built as [[4-4-2 (locomotive)|4-4-2]] locomotives and later converted to 4-6-0 during 1912/13. They proved to be a highly successful class which established the design principles for GWR 2-cylinder classes over the next fifty years, and influenced similar classes on other British railways.

==Background==
After finally converting the last broad gauge lines in 1892, the [[Great Western Railway]] (GWR) began a period of modernisation as new cut-off lines shortened its routes to west of England, South Wales and Birmingham. During the first decade of the twentieth century the [[Chief Mechanical Engineer]], [[George Jackson Churchward]], designed or acquired a number of experimental locomotives with different wheel arrangements and boiler designs to help him plan for the future motive power needs of the railway.<ref name=Nock1980>{{harvnb |Nock |1980 |p=11}}</ref> The first of these was a two-cylinder 4-6-0 locomotive, designed in 1901 whilst Churchward was still the Chief Assistant of his predecessor [[William Dean (engineer)|William Dean]].

==Prototypes==
Between 1902 and 1905 Churchward built and tested three prototype locomotives with detail differences, before using the third as the basis for the production series.

===No. 100===
[[File:Prototype 4-6-0 No.100.jpg|thumb|left|No. 100 as built in 1902]]
The first prototype was completed at the [[Swindon Works]] of the GWR (Lot 132) in February 1902.<ref name=RCTS1>{{harvnb|le Fleming|1953 |p=H22}}</ref> It was numbered 100 and in June 1902 was named ''Dean'' (later ''William Dean'') to mark the latter's retirement. The new design incorporated all of Churchward's current ideas including a domeless [[fire-tube boiler|parallel boiler]], raised [[Belpaire firebox]], {{convert|19|in|cm|1|abbr=on}} diameter outside cylinders with {{convert|30|in|cm|1|abbr=on}} piston stroke, and boiler pressure of {{convert|200|psi|MPa|2|abbr=on|lk=on}}.<ref name=Nock12>{{harvnb |Nock |1983b |p=12}}</ref> The piston valves were driven by rocking levers actuated by the expansion link of [[Stephenson valve gear]] – this particular design was only used on No. 100.<ref name=Nock21>{{harvnb |Nock |1983b |p=21}}</ref> The parallel boiler was later replaced with a [[fire-tube boiler#taper boiler|taper boiler]], and then the first [[superheater|superheated]] taper boiler in 1910. 

Churchward had studied American boiler design, but he was also later influenced by [[Continental Europe|continental]] practice in efficient motion design. A [[Compound locomotive#De Glehn|de Glehn]] [[4-4-2 (locomotive)|4-4-2]] compound engine was ordered from the [[Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques]] (SACM) for comparative trials on the GWR.<ref name=GWS29xxOvw>[http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/m_in_snt.htm Great Western Society – GW 2900 Class overview] (Accessed 26 April 2009)</ref> According to E.C. Poultney, No. 100 was the first 4-6-0 locomotive to have high enough boiler capacity and steam ports large enough to handle the steam flow required by large cylinders: "The engine probably influenced to a large extent the use made of engines of the 4-6-0 type".<ref name=Poulteney1>{{harvnb|Poultney|1952 |p=47-7}}</ref> No.100 was renumbered 2900 in 1912, and was withdrawn from service in 1932.

===No. 98===
[[File:GWR 4-6-0 No.98.jpg|thumb|left|The second prototype No. 98 as built 1903]]
A second prototype locomotive, No. 98, was built at Swindon Works in March 1903 (Lot 138) to a similar design but with a taper boiler, re-designed valve gear layout and cylinders and a shorter wheelbase.<ref name=RCTS2>{{harvnb |le Fleming|1953 |p=H23}}</ref> Valve diameters were increased from {{convert|6+1/2|in|mm}} to {{convert|10|in|mm}}.<ref name=GWS29xxOvw /> According to Poultney, these improvements "may truly be said to be the keystone of the arch upon which all modern locomotives are designed".<ref name=Poulteney2>{{harvnb|Poultney|1952 |p=66}}</ref> In 1906 this locomotive was re-boilered with a {{convert|225|psi|MPa|2|abbr=on|lk=on}} boiler to correspond with the third prototype. This prototype locomotive was named ''Vanguard'' in 1907 (renamed ''Ernest Cunard'' in the same year). It was renumbered 2998 in 1912, received a [[superheater|superheated]] boiler in 1911 and was withdrawn in 1933.

===No. 171===
A third prototype, No. 171, was built at Swindon in December 1903 (Lot 145) incorporating the improvements to No. 98 but with a {{convert|225|psi|MPa|2|abbr=on|lk=on}}  boiler and minor amendments to the heating surface and grate area. It was built as a 4-6-0 but in October 1904 it was converted to a 4-4-2 to enable better comparison with the performance of the French built de Glehn 4-4-2 Compound; it was reconverted to 4-6-0 in July 1907.<ref name="RCTS2"/> The conversion was carried out by substituting {{convert|4|ft|1+1/2|in|m|3|abbr=on}} trailing wheels with outside suspension for the final set of driving wheels. It was named ''Albion'' in 1904, renumbered 2971 in 1912, received a [[superheater|superheated]] boiler in 1910 and was withdrawn in 1946. No. 171 formed the basis of the main production series, introduced in 1905, although at this time Churchward was still unsure of the relative merits of the 4-4-2 and 4-6-0 wheel arrangements.

==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
|}

==Performance==
[[File:Swindon railway station geograph-2428215-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|thumb| 2935 ''Caynham Court'' as rebuilt in 1931 with [[Lentz valve gear|Lentz]]-style rotary-cam [[poppet valve]]s, at Swindon 1946]]

The locomotives performed well as passenger locomotives over all the long-distance routes of the GWR and on all but the fastest express trains until they gradually became displaced to secondary services by the [[GWR 4073 Class|Castle Class]] in the late 1920s and 1930s.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nock |first=Oswald Stevens |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/11029500 |title=Great Western "Saint" class 4-6-0 |publisher=Patrick Stephens Ltd. |year=1983 |isbn=0-85059-632-7 |oclc=11029500}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Waters |first=Laurence |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/972290341 |title=Great Western Saint Class Locomotives. |publisher=Pen and Sword |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-4738-5035-4 |oclc=972290341}}</ref> However, the {{convert|6|ft|8+1/2|in|m|3|abbr=on}} driving wheels limited their usefulness on freight trains. Churchward had recognized this limitation by the introduction of his [[GWR 4700 Class]] [[2-8-0]] design with {{convert|5|ft|8|in|m|3|abbr=on}} driving wheels in 1919, intended for express goods trains. However, Churchward's successor [[Charles Collett]] felt that a smaller-wheeled version of the 'Saint' class could form the basis of a successful [[mixed-traffic locomotive|mixed-traffic]] class of locomotives. He therefore rebuilt No. 2925 ''Saint Martin'' with {{convert|6|ft|m|3|abbr=on}} driving wheels to become the prototype of his successful [[GWR 4900 Class|Hall Class]] locomotives. Thus the 2900 class became a template for later GWR 2-cylinder 4-6-0 classes including the [[GWR 6959 Class|Modified Hall]], [[GWR 6800 Class|Grange]], [[GWR 7800 Class|Manor]] and [[GWR 1000 Class|County]] classes, all of which were of the same basic design.<ref name=RCTS5>{{harvnb |le Fleming|1953 |p=H4}}</ref> Moreover they also influenced similar engines on other railways such as the [[LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0|LMS "Black Fives"]], the [[LNER Thompson Class B1|LNER B1s]] and the [[BR Standard Class 5]]s.<ref name="Tuplin34">{{harvnb |Tuplin|1958 |p=H33}}</ref>

Collett also experimented on several other members of the class. In 1923 No. 2933 was given an altered [[blastpipe]] and in 1927 No. 2947 was fitted with cylinder by-pass valves. In 1931 No. 2935 was rebuilt with [[Lentz valve gear|Lentz]]-style [[Poppet valve|rotary cam poppet valve gear]],<ref name=RCTS4>{{harvnb |le Fleming|1953 |p=H25}}</ref> which remained in use until the engine was scrapped in 1948.<ref>{{cite web |title=A History of Lentz Valve Gear on British Steam Locomotives |url=https://www.lner.info/article/tech/valvegear/lentz.php |website=LNER Encyclopedia |access-date=22 March 2021}}</ref>

==Assessment==
The class incorporated many revolutionary advances which were influential in British locomotive design for the next fifty years.  According to The Great Western Society, 'Saint' class locomotives "represented one of the most important steps forward in railway traction of the 20th century", and they "are now acknowledged to have had a profound influence on almost every aspect of subsequent steam locomotive development".<ref name=SaintProject>{{harvnb|Saint Project}}</ref> W.A. Tuplin commented; "No other locomotive design, except perhaps Stephenson's 'Rocket', has represented such a long leap in the right direction as GWR No. 98.".<ref name=Tuplin34/>

==Accidents and incidents==
*On 6 January 1932, locomotive No. 2949 ''Stanford Court'' was hauling a milk train that overran signals at Didcot East Junction and collided with a freight train, which was being hauled by [[GWR 2800 Class]] [[2-8-0]] No. 2808. The locomotive was derailed and six wagons were slightly damaged.<ref name=BOT1932>{{harvnb |Anderson |1932}}</ref>

==List of original locomotives==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! No. !! Name !! Built !! Withdrawn !! Notes
|-
| 2900 || ''[[William Dean (engineer)|William Dean]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1902|2}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1932|6}} || Originally unnamed. Carried name ''Dean'' from June to November 1902
|-
| 2901 || ''Lady Superior''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1906|5}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1933|4}} || Named October 1906
|-
| 2902 || ''[[Lady of the Lake]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1906|5}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1949|8}} || Named April 1907
|-
| 2903 || ''[[Lady of Lyons]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1906|5}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1949|11}} || Named April 1907
|-
| 2904 || ''[[Lady Godiva]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1906|5}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1932|10}} || Named April 1907
|-
| 2905 || ''[[Lady Macbeth]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1906|5}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1948|4}} || Named April 1907
|-
| 2906 || ''[[Lady of Lynn]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1906|5}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1952|8}} || Named May 1907 Connecting rods donated to 2999 ''Lady of Legend'' project
|-
| 2907 || ''[[Lady Disdain]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1906|5}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1933|7}} || Named April 1907
|-
| 2908 || ''Lady of Quality''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1906|5}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1950|12}} || Named May 1907
|-
| 2909 || ''[[Lady of Provence]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1906|5}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1931|11}} || Named May 1907
|-
| 2910 || ''[[Lady of Shalott]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1906|5}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1931|10}} || Named May 1907 Whistle donated to 2999 ''Lady of Legend'' project
|-
| 2911 || ''[[Saint Agatha]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1907|8}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1935|3}} ||
|-
| 2912 || ''[[Saint Ambrose]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1907|8}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1951|2}} ||
|-
| 2913 || ''[[Saint Andrew]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1907|8}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1948|5}} ||
|-
| 2914 || ''[[Saint Augustine]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1907|8}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1946|1}} ||
|-
| 2915 || ''[[Saint Bartholomew]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1907|8}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1950|10}} ||
|-
| 2916 || ''[[Saint Benedict]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1907|8}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1948|7}} ||
|-
| 2917 || ''[[Bernard of Clairvaux|Saint Bernard]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1907|8}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1934|10}} ||
|-
| 2918 || ''[[Catherine of Alexandria|Saint Catherine]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1907|8}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1935|2}} ||
|-
| 2919 || ''[[Saint Cuthbert]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1907|9}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1932|2}} || Originally named ''[[Saint Cecelia]]''; renamed October 1907
|-
| 2920 || ''[[Saint David]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1907|9}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1953|10}} ||The Last Saint to be withdrawn from service
|-
| 2921 || ''[[Saint Dunstan]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1907|9}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1946|12}} ||
|-
| 2922 || ''[[Saint Gabriel the Archangel|Saint Gabriel]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1907|9}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1945|1}} ||
|-
| 2923 || ''[[Saint George]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1907|9}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1934|10}} ||
|-
| 2924 || ''[[Saint Helena (disambiguation)|Saint Helena]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1907|9}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1950|3}} ||
|-
| 2925 || ''[[Saint Martin of Tours|Saint Martin]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1907|9}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1924|12}} || Rebuilt to prototype [[GWR 4900 Class|Hall class]]
|-
| 2926 || ''[[Saint Nicholas]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1907|9}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1951|9}} ||
|-
| 2927 || ''[[Saint Patrick]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1907|9}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1951|12}} ||
|-
| 2928 || ''[[Saint Sebastian]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1907|9}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1948|8}} ||
|-
| 2929 || ''[[Saint Stephen]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1907|9}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1949|12}} ||
|-
| 2930 || ''[[Vincent de Paul|Saint Vincent]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1907|9}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1949|11}} ||
|-
| 2931 || ''[[Arlington Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1911|10}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1951|2}} ||
|-
| 2932 || ''[[Ashton Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1911|10}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1951|6}} ||
|-
| 2933 || ''[[Bibury Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1911|11}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1953|1}} ||
|-
| 2934 || ''[[Butleigh Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1911|11}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1952|6}} ||
|-
| 2935 || ''[[Caynham Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1911|11}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1948|12}} ||
|-
| 2936 || ''[[Cefntilla Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1911|11}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1951|4}} ||
|-
| 2937 || ''[[Clevedon Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1911|12}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1953|6}} ||
|-
| 2938 || ''[[Corsham Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1911|12}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1952|8}} ||
|-
| 2939 || ''[[Croome Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1911|12}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1950|12}} ||
|-
| 2940 || ''[[Dorney Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1911|12}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1952|1}} ||
|-
| 2941 || ''[[Little Hereford railway station|Easton Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1912|5}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1949|12}} ||
|-
| 2942 || ''[[Fawley Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1912|5}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1949|12}} ||
|-
| 2943 || ''[[Hampton Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1912|5}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1951|1}} ||
|-
| 2944 || ''[[Highnam Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1912|5}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1951|11}} ||
|-
| 2945 || ''[[Hillingdon Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1912|6}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1953|6}} ||
|-
| 2946 || ''[[Langford Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1912|6}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1949|11}} ||
|-
| 2947 || ''[[Madresfield Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1912|6}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1951|4}} ||
|-
| 2948 || ''[[Stackpole Estate|Stackpole Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1912|6}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1951|11}} ||
|-
| 2949 || ''[[Stanford Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1912|5}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1952|1}} ||
|-
| 2950 || ''[[Taplow Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1912|5}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1952|9}} ||
|-
| 2951 || ''[[Tawstock Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1913|3}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1952|6}} ||
|-
| 2952 || ''[[Twineham Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1913|3}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1951|9}} ||
|-
| 2953 || ''[[Titley Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1913|3}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1952|2}} ||
|-
| 2954 || ''[[Tockenham Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1913|3}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1952|7}} ||
|-
| 2955 || ''[[Tortworth Court]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1913|4}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1950|5}} ||
|-
| 2971 || ''[[Albion]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1903|12}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1946|2}} || Built as No. 171. Named ''Albion'' February 1904. Rebuilt to 4-4-2, October 1904. Renamed ''[[The Pirate (novel)|The Pirate]]'' March 1907. Rebuilt back to [[4-6-0]], July 1907 and renamed ''Albion''. Renumbered 2971, 1913.
|-
| 2972 || ''[[The Abbot]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1905|2}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1935|3}} || Built as 4-4-2 No. 172 ''Quicksilver'', named after a stagecoach operating between London and Devonport.<ref>{{harvnb|Davies|1993|p=P141}}</ref> Renamed March 1907. Rebuilt as 4-6-0, April 1912.
|-
| 2973 || ''[[Robins Bolitho]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1905|3}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1933|7}} || Built as No. 173
|-
| 2974 || ''[[Baron Barrymore|Lord Barrymore]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1905|3}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1933|8}} || Built as No. 174 ''Barrymore''. Renamed, May 1905
|-
| 2975 || ''[[Ernest Palmer, 1st Baron Palmer|Lord Palmer]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1905|3}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1944|11}} ||  Built as unnamed No. 175. Named ''[[Viscount Churchill]]'', 1907. Renamed ''[[Ernest Palmer, 1st Baron Palmer|Sir Ernest Palmer]]'', February 1924. Renamed ''Lord Palmer'', in October 1933.
|-
| 2976 || ''[[Winterstoke]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1905|4}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1934|1}} || Built as unnamed No. 176. Named, April 1907.
|-
| 2977 || ''[[Henry Beyer Robertson|Robertson]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1905|4}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1935|2}} || Built as unnamed No. 177. Named, April 1907.
|-
| 2978 || ''[[Charles Hambro (disambiguation)|Charles J. Hambro]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1905|4}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1946|8}} || Built as No. 178 ''[[Kirkland (horse)|Kirkland]]'', named after racehorse owned by Sir Frank Bibby.<ref>{{harvnb|Davies|1993|p=P129}}</ref> Renamed, May 1935.
|-
| 2979 || ''[[Quentin Durward]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1905|4}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1951|1}} || Built as 4-4-2 No. 179 ''[[Magnet]]''. Renamed, March 1907. Rebuilt as 4-6-0, August 1912.
|-
| 2980 || ''[[Richard I of England|Coeur de Lion]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1905|5}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1948|5}} || Built as unnamed 4-4-2 No. 180. Named in March 1907 after subject of the novel ''[[Ivanhoe]]'' by [[Sir Walter Scott]].<ref>{{harvnb|Davies|1993|p=P113}}</ref> Rebuilt as 4-6-0, January 1913.
|-
| 2981 || ''[[Ivanhoe]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1905|6}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1951|3}} || Built as unnamed 4-4-2 No. 181. Named in 1907. Rebuilt as 4-6-0, July 1912.
|-
| 2982 || ''[[Lalla Rookh]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1905|6}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1946|6}} || Built as unnamed 4-4-2 No. 182. Named in 1906. Rebuilt as 4-6-0, November 1912.
|-
| 2983 || ''[[Redgauntlet]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1905|7}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1946|3}} || Built as 4-4-2 No. 183 ''Red Gauntlet''. Rebuilt as 4-6-0, April 1912. Renamed ''Redgauntlet'', June 1915.
|-
| 2984 || ''[[Guy Mannering]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1905|7}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1933|5}} || Built as 4-4-2 No. 184 ''Churchill''. Renamed ''[[Viscount Churchill]]'' in 1906. Renamed ''Guy Mannering'', 1907. Rebuilt as 4-6-0, August 1912.
|-
| 2985 || ''[[Peveril of the Peak]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1905|7}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1931|8}} || Built as unnamed 4-4-2 No. 185. Named ''[[Winterstoke]]'', February 1906. Renamed ''Peveril of the Peak'', April 1907. Rebuilt as 4-6-0, May 1912. Withdrawn August 1931. First scheduled withdrawal.
|-
| 2986 || ''[[Robin Hood]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1905|7}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1932|11}} || Built as unnamed 4-4-2 No. 186. Named in April 1906. Rebuilt as 4-6-0, May 1912.
|-
| 2987 || {{nowrap|''[[The Bride of Lammermoor|Bride of Lammermoor]]''}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1905|8}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1949|10}} || Built as unnamed 4-4-2 No. 187. Named ''[[Henry Beyer Robertson|Robertson]]'' after a GWR Director,<ref>{{harvnb|Davies|1993|p=P143}}</ref> November 1905. Renamed ''Bride of Lammermoor'', April 1907. Rebuilt as 4-6-0, June 1912.
|-
| 2988 || ''[[Rob Roy (novel)|Rob Roy]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1905|8}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1948|5}} || Built as unnamed 4-4-2 No. 188. Named, 1907. Rebuilt as 4-6-0, May 1912.
|-
| 2989 || ''[[The Talisman (Scott novel)|Talisman]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1905|9}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1948|9}} || Built as unnamed 4-4-2 No. 189. Named, 1906. Rebuilt as 4-6-0, October 1912.
|-
| 2990 || ''[[Waverley (novel)|Waverley]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1905|9}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1939|1}} || Built as unnamed 4-4-2 No. 190. Named, 1906. Rebuilt as 4-6-0, November 1912.
|-
| 2998 || ''[[Ernest Cunard]]''
| {{dts|format=dmy|1903|3}} || {{dts|format=dmy|1933|6}} || Built as unnamed No. 98. Named ''[[Persimmon]]'', 1906. Renamed ''Vanguard'', March 1907. Renamed ''Ernest Cunard'', December 1907. Renumbered 2998 in 1913.
|}

==Withdrawal==
The below list shows when all of the original 2900's were withdrawn from service.

{|class="wikitable" style=text-align:center
|+ Table of withdrawals
! Year !! Quantity in<br/>service at<br/>start of year !! Number withdrawn !! Quantity<br/>withdrawn !! Locomotive numbers
|-
| 1924 || 77 ||   1  ||   1 || align=left | 2925.
|-
| 1931 || 76 ||   3  ||   4 || align=left | 2909–10/85.
|-
| 1932 || 73 ||  4  ||   8 || align=left | 2900/4/19/86.
|-
| 1933 || 69 ||   6  ||   14 || align=left | 2901/7/73–74/84/98.
|-
| 1934 || 63 ||   4  ||   18 || align=left | 2917/23/76/82.
|-
| 1935 || 59 ||   4  ||   22 || align=left | 2911/18/72/77.
|-
| 1939 || 55 ||   1  ||   23 || align=left | 2990.
|-
| 1944 || 54 ||   2  ||   25 || align=left | 2922/75.
|-
| 1945 || 52 ||   1  ||   26 || align=left | 2921.
|-
| 1946 || 51 ||   4  ||   30 || align=left | 2914/71/78/83.
|-
| 1948 || 47 ||   8  ||   38 || align=left | 2905/13/16/28/35/80/88–89.
|-
| 1949 || 39 ||   8  ||   46 || align=left | 2902–3/29-30/41–42/46/87.
|-
| 1950 || 31 ||   5  ||   51 || align=left | 2908/15/24/39/55.
|-
| 1951 || 26 ||   13  ||  64 || align=left | 2912/26–27/31–32/36/43–44/47–48/52/79/81.
|-
| 1952 || 13 ||   9  ||   73 || align=left | 2906/34/38/40/49–51/53–54.
|-
| 1953 || {{0}}4 ||  4  ||   77 || align=left | 2920/33/37/45.
|}

==No. 2999 Lady of Legend==
{{main|GWR 2900 Class 2999 Lady of Legend}}
[[File:46945200094 ae34e6d299 Hugh.jpg|thumb|right|[[GWR 2900 Class 2999 Lady of Legend|2999 ''Lady of Legend'']], on the demonstration running line at [[Didcot Railway Centre]] in April 2019]]
None of the original Saints survived into preservation, so the [[Didcot Railway Centre|Great Western Society]] purchased [[GWR 4900 Class|GWR 4900 Hall Class]] 4-6-0 No. 4942 ''Maindy Hall'' from [[Woodham Brothers|Barry Scrapyard]] in 1974, with the intention to rebuild it as a Saint. This would reverse the procedure whereby a Saint was rebuilt as the Hall prototype. The project finally began in earnest in 1995, by which time engineering capability in the preservation movement had greatly increased.  It was decided that the engine would be built in the original straight frame form like the first Saints instead of the later curved frame style as fitted to Maindy Hall.<ref>[https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/63/2999-lady-of-legend 2999 - Lady of Legend] Didcot Railway Centre information page.</ref> Following thirty years of storage and fifteen years of rebuilding work, [[GWR 2900 Class 2999 Lady of Legend|2999 ''Lady of Legend'']] made its first moves in April 2019 and was formally launched at the [[Didcot Railway Centre]] in the same month.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20190926015414/https://newbuildsteam.com/2019/04/14/2999-lady-of-legend-launch-weekend/2999/ Lady of Legend: launch weekend] New Build Steam 14 April 2019</ref>

{{Clear}}

== See also ==
* [[List of GWR standard classes with two outside cylinders]]

== References ==
{{reflist |24em}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last=Allan |first=Ian |title=The ABC of Great Western Locomotives|date=March 1944|publisher=[[Ian Allan Publishing]]}}
* {{RCTS-LocosGWR-1|year=1968}}
* {{cite web |last=Anderson |first=E. P. |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/MoT_Didcot1932.pdf |title=Great Western Railway |publisher=Board of Trade |date=26 February 1932 }}
* {{cite book|last=Bradley|first=Rodger|title=GWR Two Cylinder 4–6–0s and 2–6–0s|year=1988|publisher=David and Charles Publishing plc|location=Newton Abbot, Devon}}
*{{cite book |last=Davies |first=Ken |title=The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part fourteen: Names and their Origins - Railmotor Services - War Service - The Complete Preservation Story |date=April 1993 |publisher=[[Railway Correspondence and Travel Society|RCTS]] |location=Lincoln |isbn=0-901115-75-4 |oclc=59928196 }}
* {{RCTS-LocosGWR-8|edition=1st}}
* {{cite book |last=le Fleming |first=H.M. |editor-last=White |editor-first=D.E. |title=The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part nine: Standard Two-Cylinder Classes |date=February 1962 |publisher=[[Railway Correspondence and Travel Society|RCTS]] |isbn=0-901115-37-1 |oclc=655827210 }}
* {{cite book|last=Nock|first=O. S.   |authorlink=O.S. Nock
  |title=British Locomotives of the 20th Century Vol.1. |year=1983a
}}
* {{cite book|last=Nock|first=O. S.|title=Great Western 'Saint' Class 4–6–0|year=1983b |publisher=Patrick Stephens Ltd|location=Cambridge|isbn=0-85059-632-7}}
* {{cite book|last=Nock|first=O. S.|title=The GWR Stars, Castles and Kings |year=1980|publisher=Book Club Associates|location=London}}
* {{cite book|last=Poultney |first=Edward Cecil |authorlink=Edward Cecil Poultney |title=British Express Locomotive Development|date=March 1952|publisher=George Allen and Unwin}}
* {{cite book|last=Tuplin |first=W.A. |title=Great Western Steam|date= 1958|publisher=George Allen and Unwin}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.thesaintproject.co.uk/Pages/AtlanticOption.html |work=2999 Lady of Legend |title=The Atlantic Option |access-date=12 June 2015 |ref={{harvid|Atlantic Option}} }}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.thesaintproject.co.uk/Pages/LatestNews.html |work=2999 Lady of Legend |title=Latest News |date=May 2015 |access-date=12 June 2015 }}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.thesaintproject.co.uk/Pages/SaintProject.html |work=2999 Lady of Legend |title=The Saint Project |access-date=12 June 2015 |ref={{harvid|Saint Project}} }}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/guide/projects.html#2999|title=''Lady of Legend'' details|work=Great Western Society website|access-date=10 June 2008|archive-date=6 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106150802/http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/guide/projects.html#2999|url-status=dead}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|GWR 2900 Class}}
*Great Western Society "Great Western Archive", details of locomotives: [http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/m_in_snt_saint29a.htm 2900 - 2924], &nbsp;[http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/m_in_snt_saint29b.htm 2925 - 2955], &nbsp; [http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/m_in_snt_saint29c.htm 2971 - 2998]

{{GWR Locomotives}}

[[Category:Great Western Railway locomotives|2900]]
[[Category:4-6-0 locomotives]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1902]]
[[Category:Scrapped locomotives]]
[[Category:Standard-gauge steam locomotives of Great Britain]]
[[Category:2′C h2 locomotives]]
[[Category:2′B1 h2 locomotives]]
[[Category:Passenger locomotives]]