HOME | DD

Description
Last Tuesday, April 5, 1952, was the passing date of former Great Western CME, Charles Collett.

For a short biography on Collett, click the following link: 14jcadez.deviantart.com/art/Re…

The engine pictured above is one of Collett's 14xx 0-4-2 tank engines, built from 1932-1936 at Swindon Works. These 75 engines were primarily used for branchline work and we originally classified as 48xx's until 1946, when they were renumbered.

The 14xx was not a new design, but modified from predecessors dating back to 1868. The 517 class was built at Wolverhampton from 1868-1885 and had a similar style to their eventual "grandchildren," with a 0-4-2 wheel arrangement, side tanks, and eventually a Belpaire firebox.

In service, the engines were used with autocoaches, a special coach that was able to control the engine. The 14xx class was an autotank, meaning they could be driven from the cab of the locomotive or the cab of the autocoach. The driver would go to the coach and drive that way while the fireman stayed on the footplate. Many worked branchlines along the Great Western and worked right up to BR days and beyond. The first 14xx was withdrawn in 1956 and all were gone, autotanks as well, by May 1965.

Only 4 of the 75 engines survive today: No. 1420 at the South Devon Railway; No. 1442 (nicknamed "The Tivvy Bumper") at the Tiverton Museum; No. 1450 at the Severn Valley Railway; and No. 1460 (pictured above) at the Didcot Railway Center. The class was also made famous by the British film "The Titfield Thunderbolt" and as "Oliver" in the Rev. W Awdry's famous Railway Series books and subsequent TV series.

Let us remember the railwayman, Charles Collett.

Cheers,
Jonathan

Description
Last Tuesday, April 5, 1952, was the passing date of former Great Western CME, Charles Collett.

For a short biography on Collett, click the following link: 14jcadez.deviantart.com/art/Re…

The engine pictured above is one of Collett's 14xx 0-4-2 tank engines, built from 1932-1936 at Swindon Works. These 75 engines were primarily used for branchline work and we originally classified as 48xx's until 1946, when they were renumbered.

The 14xx was not a new design, but modified from predecessors dating back to 1868. The 517 class was built at Wolverhampton from 1868-1885 and had a similar style to their eventual "grandchildren," with a 0-4-2 wheel arrangement, side tanks, and eventually a Belpaire firebox.

In service, the engines were used with autocoaches, a special coach that was able to control the engine. The 14xx class was an autotank, meaning they could be driven from the cab of the locomotive or the cab of the autocoach. The driver would go to the coach and drive that way while the fireman stayed on the footplate. Many worked branchlines along the Great Western and worked right up to BR days and beyond. The first 14xx was withdrawn in 1956 and all were gone, autotanks as well, by May 1965.

Only 4 of the 75 engines survive today: No. 1420 at the South Devon Railway; No. 1442 (nicknamed "The Tivvy Bumper") at the Tiverton Museum; No. 1450 at the Severn Valley Railway; and No. 1460 (pictured above) at the Didcot Railway Center. The class was also made famous by the British film "The Titfield Thunderbolt" and as "Oliver" in the Rev. W Awdry's famous Railway Series books and subsequent TV series.

Let us remember the railwayman, Charles Collett.

Cheers,
Jonathan