About Us
The 7200 Trust has been formed to restore to mainline working condition one of the largest
and heaviest freight tank locomotives built in this country. Built by the Great Western Railway
originally as a 2-8-0 for use in South Wales hauling heavy coal trains, it became redundant in
this traffic as coal usage became less. Later the locomotive was converted into its present form
with an extra set of trailing wheels and a larger coal bunker to give increased range.
The class was predominantly used on heavy freight workings over much of the GWR main lines,
but were occasionally used on summer passenger reliefs and empty stock workings. Many of its
class were shedded locally at Banbury, Oxford, Slough and Southall.
Weighing in at 95 tons in full working order it is hoped to use her when fully restored here
at Quainton and on visits to other preserved railways and steam centres, when once again the
sharp bark of her exhaust will be heard.
