Editing GWR 3800 Class

{{Short description|Class of steam locomotive}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2018}}
{{For|other GWR engine classes called 'County'|GWR County Class (disambiguation){{!}}GWR County Class}}
{{Infobox locomotive
| name = GWR 3800 'County' Class
| image = GWR 3818 County of Radnor (Boys' Book of Locomotives, 1907).jpg
| caption = 3818 ''County of Radnor'' as built in 1906
| powertype = [[Steam]]
| whytetype = [[4-4-0]]
| operator = [[Great Western Railway]]
| builder = [[Swindon Works]], [[Great Western Railway]]
| cylindercount = 2, outside
| cylindersize = {{convert|18|x|30|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<br/> [[Bore (engine)|diameter]] x [[stroke (engine)|stroke]]
| alt = 
| designer = [[George Jackson Churchward]]
| ordernumber = Lots 149, 165, 184
| serialnumber = 2056–2065, 2209–2228, 2415–2425
| builddate = 1904, 1906, 1911–12
| totalproduction = 40
| uicclass = 
| gauge = {{track gauge|ussg|allk=on}}
| leadingdiameter = {{convert|3|ft|2|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| driverdiameter = {{convert|6|ft|8+1/2|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| wheelbase = {{convert|24|ft|0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| length = 
| height = 
| axleload = {{convert|18.15|LT|t ST|2|abbr=on}}
| weightondrivers = {{convert|34.3|LT|t ST|2|abbr=on}}
| locoweight = {{convert|55.3|LT|t ST|2|abbr=on}}
| tenderweight = {{convert|36.75|LT|t ST|2|abbr=on}}
| locotenderweight = {{convert|92.05|LT|t ST|2|abbr=on}}
| fueltype = [[Coal]]
| fuelcap = 
| watercap = {{convert|3000|impgal|0|abbr=on}}
| boiler = GWR Standard No. 4
| boilerpressure = {{convert|200|psi|kPa|0|abbr=on}}
| firearea = {{convert|20.56|sqft|sqm|2|abbr=on}}
| tubearea = {{convert|1689.82|sqft|sqm|2|abbr=on}}
| fireboxarea = {{convert|128.30|sqft|sqm|2|abbr=on}}
| totalsurface = {{convert|1818.12|sqft|sqm|2|abbr=on}}
| valvegear = [[Stephenson valve gear|Stephenson]]
| valvetype = 
| tractiveeffort = {{convert|20530|lbf|kN|0|abbr=on}}
| factorofadhesion = 
| trainheating = 
| locobrakes = 
| trainbrakes = 
| safety = 
| operatorclass = 3800
| powerclass = [[Great Western Railway Power Classification|GWR: C]]
| numinclass = 40
| fleetnumbers = 3473–82, 3801–30 until Dec 1912<br />3800–39 from December 1912
| officialname = ''County''
| nicknames = Churchward's Rough Riders
| axleloadclass = [[Great Western Railway Weight Classification|GWR: Red]]
| locale = 
| withdrawndate = 1930–33
| disposition = All original locomotives [[scrap]]ped; one new-build under construction
| notes = Dimensions as built<ref name=RCTS>{{harvnb |le Fleming |1962 |pp=J10-J12}}</ref>
}}

The [[Great Western Railway]] '''3800 Class''', also known as the '''County Class''', were a class of [[Whyte notation|4-4-0]] steam [[locomotive]]s for express passenger train work introduced in 1904 in a batch of ten. Two more batches followed in 1906 and 1912 with minor differences. They were designed by [[George Jackson Churchward]], who used standard components to produce a four-coupled version of his [[GWR Saint Class|Saint Class]] [[4-6-0]]s.

==Construction==

The first locomotive, No. 3473 ''County of Middlesex'', was built at [[Swindon Works]] in May 1904, with the following nine completed by October 1904.<ref name=OSNb14>{{harvnb |Nock |1978 |p=14}}</ref> They were initially fitted with parallel-sided copper-capped chimneys, which were soon replaced by tapered cast iron chimneys.<ref name=Hare56>{{harvnb |Haresnape|Swain|1993 |p=56}}</ref> The second batch, of twenty, were built between October and December 1906. This batch had tapered cast iron chimneys from the start.<ref name=OSNb15>{{harvnb |Nock |1978 |p=15}}</ref> A third and last batch of ten were built between December 1911 and February 1912.<ref name=OSNb38>{{harvnb |Nock |1978 |p=38}}</ref> On these the footplates had curved drop ends at the cab and front bufferbeam.<ref name=Hol102>{{harvnb |Holcroft |1971 |p=102}}</ref> They were also fitted from new with a [[superheater]] and [[Boiler#top feed|top feed]].<ref name=OSNb38/> Chimneys were a larger version of the copper-capped type of the first batch.<ref name=Hare56/> 

Coupled wheels had independent springing, without the compensating beams fitted between the axleboxes on Churchward's 4-6-0s.<ref name=OSNb13>{{harvnb |Nock |1978 |p=13}}</ref> The cylinder block, including the piston valves and smokebox saddle, was constructed from two castings from the same pattern, bolted back to back, each casting containing one half of the saddle.<ref name=OSNb14/> The cab, boiler and coupled wheels were attached to plate frames. The cylinder block was carried on two bar frames, bolted to the front end of the plate frames.<ref name=OSNb13/> The piston valves were driven by [[Stephenson valve gear]]. The class were fitted with the Standard No. 4 boiler.<ref name=OSNb14/> One locomotive, No. 3805 ''County Kerry'' was fitted with a smaller Standard No. 2 boiler between November 1907 and May 1909.<ref name=OSNb15/>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Table of orders and numbers{{sfnb|Allcock|Davies|le Fleming|Maskelyne|1968|pp=30–31}}
! Year !! Quantity !! Lot No. !! Works Nos. !! Locomotive numbers !! Notes
|-
| 1904 || 10 || 149 || 2056–2065 || 3473–3482 || align=left | renumbered 3800, 3831–3839 in 1912
|-
| 1906 || 20 || 165 || 2209–2228 || 3801–3820 || align=left | 
|-
| 1911–12 || 10 || 184 || 2416–2425 || 3821–3830 || align=left | 
|}

==Operation==

They were the last new GWR 4-4-0 design and by far the most modern, with inside frames and outside cylinders. They were designed as a part of Churchward's standardisation plan, but were found to have a front end too powerful for the wheel arrangement and all were withdrawn by the early 1930s. They were designed, in part, for the Hereford to Shrewsbury LNWR line over which the GWR had running powers, but on which they were expressly forbidden to use 4-6-0 locomotives. The 4-4-0 Counties were in effect a shortened [[GWR 2900 Class]], providing engines powerful enough for the trains but with the requisite four-coupled wheels.

The key components were all proven but the combination was somewhat poor, and perhaps the least successful of Churchward's designs. From the outset they were found to be rough riders but were otherwise effective locos. All other GWR 4-4-0s were inside-cylindered and none had a piston stroke greater than 26 inches, whereas the 'County' had a 30-inch stroke driving a meagre 8 ft 6 ft wheelbase.

The County Class used the same cylinders and motion as Churchward's six-coupled locomotives and required the same mass to counterbalance the reciprocating parts of the motion. However the weight required had to be divided between four driving wheels rather than six. The heavier balance weights produced a high level of wheel hammer blow; at six revolutions per second the hammer blow was 8 tons, compared with the 3.6 tons of the inside-cylindered [[GWR 3700 Class|City Class]] and the 6.4 tons of the six-coupled [[GWR 2900 Class|Saint Class]]. The left hand trailing axleboxes often developed hammering, which was caused by the amount of counterbalancing used.<ref name=OSNb16>{{harvnb |Nock |1978 |p=16}}</ref>

This class were subject to the [[GWR locomotive numbering and classification#1912 Renumbering|1912 renumbering]] of GWR 4-4-0 locomotives, which saw the Bulldog class gathered together in the series 3300–3455, and other types renumbered out of that series. The County Class took numbers 3800–3839.

3833 ''County of Dorset'' was the first to be withdrawn, in February 1930. By the end of 1933 all had gone, the last survivor being No. 3834 ''County of Somerset'', withdrawn in November of that year.<ref name=OSNb66>{{harvnb |Nock |1978 |p=66}}</ref>

[[File:GWR County tank class 2221 (Howden, Boys' Book of Locomotives, 1907).jpg|thumb|County Tank 2221]]
They were also the basis for the 'County Tank' [[GWR 2221 Class]] design, a 4-4-2T using the same basic design as the County but with a smaller and lighter boiler, and the replacement of the tender by the addition of side tanks, bunker and trailing axle.

{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=2 align=center|Numbers
!rowspan=2 align=center|Name
|-
!width="90" align=center|First
!width="90" align=center|Second (1912)
|-
|align=center|3473
|align=center|3800
|[[Middlesex|County of Middlesex]]
|-
|align=center|3801
|align=center|3801
|[[County Carlow]]
|-
|align=center|3802
|align=center|3802
|[[County Clare]]
|-
|align=center|3803
|align=center|3803
|[[County Cork]]
|-
|align=center|3804
|align=center|3804
|[[County Dublin]]
|-
|align=center|3805
|align=center|3805
|[[County Kerry]]
|-
|align=center|3806
|align=center|3806
|[[County Kildare]]
|-
|align=center|3807
|align=center|3807
|[[County Kilkenny]]
|-
|align=center|3808
|align=center|3808
|[[County Limerick]]
|-
|align=center|3809
|align=center|3809
|[[County Wexford]]
|-
|align=center|3810
|align=center|3810
|[[County Wicklow]]
|-
|align=center|3811
|align=center|3811
|[[Buckinghamshire|County of Bucks]]
|-
|align=center|3812
|align=center|3812
|[[Ceredigion|County of Cardigan]]
|-
|align=center|3813
|align=center|3813
|[[Carmarthenshire|County of Carmarthen]]
|-
|align=center|3814
|align=center|3814
|[[County of Chester]]
|-
|align=center|3815
|align=center|3815
|[[Hampshire|County of Hants]]
|-
|align=center|3816
|align=center|3816
|[[Leicestershire|County of Leicester]]
|-
|align=center|3817
|align=center|3817
|[[Monmouthshire (historic)|County of Monmouth]]
|-
|align=center|3818
|align=center|3818
|[[Radnorshire|County of Radnor]]
|-
|align=center|3819
|align=center|3819
|[[Shropshire|County of Salop]]
|-
|align=center|3820
|align=center|3820
|[[County of Worcester]]
|-
|align=center|3821
|align=center|3821
|[[County of Bedford]]
|-
|align=center|3822
|align=center|3822
|[[Brecknockshire|County of Brecon]]
|-
|align=center|3823
|align=center|3823
|[[Caernarfonshire|County of Carnarvon]]
|-
|align=center|3824
|align=center|3824
|[[Cornwall|County of Cornwall]]
|-
|align=center|3825
|align=center|3825
|[[Denbighshire (historic)|County of Denbigh]]
|-
|align=center|3826
|align=center|3826
|[[Flintshire (historic)|County of Flint]]
|-
|align=center|3827
|align=center|3827
|[[County of Gloucester]]
|-
|align=center|3828
|align=center|3828
|[[County of Hereford]]
|-
|align=center|3829
|align=center|3829
|[[Merionethshire|County of Merioneth]]
|-
|align=center|3830
|align=center|3830
|[[County of Oxford]]
|-
|align=center|3474
|align=center|3831
|[[Berkshire|County of Berks]]
|-
|align=center|3475
|align=center|3832
|[[Wiltshire|County of Wilts]]
|-
|align=center|3476
|align=center|3833
|[[Dorset|County of Dorset]]
|-
|align=center|3477
|align=center|3834
|[[Somerset|County of Somerset]]
|-
|align=center|3478
|align=center|3835
|[[Devon|County of Devon]]
|-
|align=center|3479
|align=center|3836
|[[Warwickshire|County of Warwick]]
|-
|align=center|3480
|align=center|3837
|[[County of Stafford]]
|-
|align=center|3481
|align=center|3838
|[[Glamorganshire|County of Glamorgan]]
|-
|align=center|3482
|align=center|3839
|[[Pembrokeshire|County of Pembroke]]
|-
|}

==New Build – 3840 ''County of Montgomery''==
No members of the class were preserved. However, the [[Didcot Railway Centre|Great Western Society]] took the decision to create the next locomotive in the sequence, 3840 ''County of Montgomery''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.churchwardcounty.org.uk/|title=Churchward County Trust|website=Churchward County Trust|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-08-22}}</ref> The project has been handed over to the Churchward County Trust and 3840 will be based at the [[Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway]] following its construction at Tyseley Locomotive Works in Birmingham. The locomotive is being built with both new parts, such as the driving wheels which have been cast using the pattern created for [[GWR 2900 Class 2999 Lady of Legend|Saint Class 2999 ''Lady of Legend'']], and recycled standard parts recovered from former Barry scrapyard locomotives including the Standard No. 4 Boiler, the pony truck wheel set, two pony truck axle boxes, four horn guides and two eccentric sheaves from [[GWR 5205 Class|5205 Class]] 2-8-0T 5227, and four driving wheel axle boxes from [[GWR 2800 Class|2800 Class]] 2-8-0 2861.

==Models==
[[Hornby Railways]] manufacture a model of the 38xx in [[OO gauge]].
[[3mm Scale Model Railways]] manufacture a model kit of the 38xx in [[TT gauge]].
[[Hornby Railways|Hornby]] manufactured between 1931-1936 electric and clockwork [[tin-plate]] models of the 3821 County of Bedford in [[0 gauge]].

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
*{{RCTS-LocosGWR-1|year=1968}}
*{{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]] }}
*{{cite book
  |first=Harold |last=Holcroft
  |year=1971
  |title=An Outline Of Great Western Locomotive Practice 1837-1947
  |location=Shepperton, Middlesex
  |publisher=Ian Allan
  |ISBN=0-7110-0228-2
  }}
*{{cite book
  |first=Brian |last=Haresnape
  |first2=Alec |last2=Swain
  |orig-year=1976|year=1993
  |title=Churchward Locomotives: A Pictorial History
  |location=Shepperton, Middlesex
  |publisher=Ian Allan
  |ISBN=0-7110-0697-0
  }}
*{{cite book
  |first=O.S. |last=Nock
  |year=1977
  |title=Standard Gauge Great Western 4-4-0s Part 1 Inside Cylinder Classes 1894-1910
  |location=Newton Abbot
  |publisher=David & Charles
  |ISBN=0-7153-7411-7
  }}
*{{cite book
  |first=O.S. |last=Nock
  |year=1978
  |title=Standard Gauge Great Western 4-4-0s Part 2 Counties to the Close 1904-1961
  |location=Newton Abbot
  |publisher=David & Charles
  |ISBN=0-7153-7684-5
  }}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|GWR 3800 Class}}
* [http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/m_in_440_county.htm 3800 'County' class]
* [https://www.churchwardcounty.org.uk/ Churchward County Trust official website]

{{GWR Locomotives}}

[[Category:Great Western Railway locomotives|3800]]
[[Category:4-4-0 locomotives]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1904]]
[[Category:Scrapped locomotives]]
[[Category:Standard-gauge steam locomotives of Great Britain]]
[[Category:Passenger locomotives]]