page_title: GWR 6100 Class
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: GWR 6100 Class / History
context_page_description: The GWR 6100 Class is a class of 2-6-2T side tank steam locomotives.
context_section_description: The class was designed by Charles Collett and introduced in 1931, and were a straightforward development of the earlier 5101 class (and for that matter the 1905 3100/5100 class). The main difference from their predecessors was an increased boiler pressure of 225 psi (1.55 MPa) with a consequent increase in tractive effort.
  There were seventy in the class, built in two batches in 1931–1933 and 1935. They were frequently referred to by trainspotters as 'Tanner One-ers'- being a reference to their '61xx' numbering sequence using colloquial terms for a sixpence and a penny.
  The class was specifically built for commuter services in the London area where they replaced the ageing 2221 class on these services.  They lasted to the end of steam on the Western Region of British Railways in 1965, never straying far from their home turf.  Typical duties were Paddington to Aylesbury via High Wycombe, and from the same terminus to Oxford, Windsor, Reading and Basingstoke.  They were mainly shedded at Old Oak Common, Southall, Slough, Reading and Aylesbury throughout their lives.  In the early 1960s, the advent of the first generation diesel multiple units made them semi-redundant though generally far from worn out. Their last few years saw them on more menial duties, as in the adjacent photograph, until scrapping.
caption: 6165 at Reading with train of mineral wagons in May 1964
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