GWR 101 Class

The GWR 101 Class consisted of a single experimental 0-4-0T side-tank steam locomotive. It was built at Swindon Works under the direction of George Jackson Churchward in June 1902.
==History==
The locomotive was originally built as an oil-burning locomotive 'on Holden's system', and it had an unusual boiler containing a firebox constructed as an arched chamber made from fire-bricks, opening to the firetubes in front, and with two oil-burning nozzles at the back. Over this was mounted a short saddle tank for the oil fuel. There was no outer firebox, but the 8 ft × 5 ft (2.438 m × 1.524 m) boiler, pressed to 180 psi (1.2 MPa), contained 289 firetubes in the lower part and a large steam space above.
As soon as July 1902, it was redesigned with a smaller firebox and a single burner. It was given a Lentz boiler with a cylindrical corrugated firebox inside the barrel in 1903. The saddle tank for fuel was removed and oil stored at the rear end of the side tanks. In 1905, the locomotive was rebuilt as a coal burner, with the cab backplate replaced by a bunker.
It was intended for light passenger service on the Wrington Vale Light Railway near Bristol. However, due to technical issues associated with the design, the locomotive never saw the intended service. It remained at Swindon Works, used as a works shunter.
== Withdrawal and Disposition ==
No further engines were built to this design, and the locomotive was withdrawn and scrapped in 1911.
==Models==
Despite being a unique and short-lived loco, Hornby have been producing an OO scale model of 101 for some decades, in many prototypical and non-prototypical guises.
== In fiction ==
It is theorized that Lady from Thomas and Friends is this engine, but this is unproven.
== Gallery ==
Category:United Kingdom
Category:Great Western Railway locomotives
Category:Tank locomotives
Category:0-4-0T steam locomotives
Category:Non-Standard Locomotives
Category:Scrapped locomotives
Category:Article stubs
Category:Prototype locomotives
Category:Unique locomotives
Category:Holden locomotives
Category:Swindon Works locomotives