They were introduced in 1904 for work on small
branch lines. The
4500 class was a later development with larger driving wheels. The 4400s were particularly used in hilly districts, notably the
Princetown and
Much Wenlock Branches.[2] All were withdrawn and scrapped between 1949 and 1955.[2]
The 4400,
4500 and
4575 classes, which all had 24 in (610 mm)
stroke cylinders, the Standard 5 boiler and driving wheels under 5 ft (1.524 m), were collectively known as "Small Prairies", as opposed to the
5100,
3150,
5101,
6100,
3100 and
8100 classes, with 30 in (762 mm) stroke cylinders, Standard 2 or 4 boilers and driving wheels over 5 ft (1.524 m), known as "Large Prairies".
^
abcle Fleming, H.M. (February 1962). White, D.E. (ed.). The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part nine: Standard Two-Cylinder Classes.
RCTS. p. J44–J46.
Whitehurst, Brian (1973). Great Western Engines, Names, Numbers, Types and Classes (1940 to Preservation). Oxford, UK: Oxford Publishing Company.
ISBN978-0-9028-8821-0.
OCLC815661.
They were introduced in 1904 for work on small
branch lines. The
4500 class was a later development with larger driving wheels. The 4400s were particularly used in hilly districts, notably the
Princetown and
Much Wenlock Branches.[2] All were withdrawn and scrapped between 1949 and 1955.[2]
The 4400,
4500 and
4575 classes, which all had 24 in (610 mm)
stroke cylinders, the Standard 5 boiler and driving wheels under 5 ft (1.524 m), were collectively known as "Small Prairies", as opposed to the
5100,
3150,
5101,
6100,
3100 and
8100 classes, with 30 in (762 mm) stroke cylinders, Standard 2 or 4 boilers and driving wheels over 5 ft (1.524 m), known as "Large Prairies".
^
abcle Fleming, H.M. (February 1962). White, D.E. (ed.). The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, part nine: Standard Two-Cylinder Classes.
RCTS. p. J44–J46.
Whitehurst, Brian (1973). Great Western Engines, Names, Numbers, Types and Classes (1940 to Preservation). Oxford, UK: Oxford Publishing Company.
ISBN978-0-9028-8821-0.
OCLC815661.