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GWR 4073 "Castle" Class Gallery
The legendary GWR 4073 Class, universally celebrated as the "Castle" Class, was designed by Charles Collett and introduced in 1923 as Britain's most powerful express passenger locomotive. Built exclusively at Swindon Works, a spectacular fleet of 171 engines was produced up until 1950, ruling the Great Western mainlines and famously setting world speed records on the Cheltenham Flyer. Renowned for their exceptional efficiency and elegant lines, these four-cylinder thoroughbreds defined the golden age of Western steam, with eight magnificent examples saved to continue their legacy on heritage lines and mainlines alike.
This gallery pays tribute to a true masterpiece of British engineering, celebrating a premier express class that brought unmatched speed, prestige, and glamour to the rails for over forty years.
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