GWR Large Prairies: First colour pictures

Today we have our first colour pictures of the Large Prairies in game.

Starting off with the 5100 class, shown here with the pre-1934 lettering.
Please note that all liveries are available on all engines as appropriate.

This shows the original design of the 5100 class which started construction in 1903 - they actually began life as the 3100 class but were renumbered in 1927 (you can also renumber any engine to this in game if you wish to). The square frames are clearly evident as is the lack of outside steam pipes, although these can be added as an option. 40 of these were built.

Next we have the 5101 class which were built from 1929 right up to 1949 and covered 140 engines, 5101-5110, 5150-5199 and 4100-4179.

Seen here in the 1934-42 shirt button livery the changes to the front end are very clear with the new curved frames and the external steam pipes.

Another variation of the large prairies is the 6100, 70 engines built 1931-35 and with an increased boiler pressure from 200psi to 225psi specifically for commuter services in London which they worked right up to the 1960's.

It is shown here in the 1942-48 livery. They were usually referred to by trainspotters as 'Tanner One-ers'. This being in reference to the 61xx numbering using slang for a sixpence and a penny.

Finally we have the 8100 class, just 10 engines converted from 5100's during 1938/9. These also had the boiler pressure increased to 225psi and had smaller driving wheels at 5' 6" (instead of 5' 8") and smaller pony truck wheels at 3' (instead of 3' 8").

Altered to give a supposed better acceleration they were mixed in with the 6100 class and performed the same duties.
In these pictures it is wearing the short lived livery which consisted of the GWR style lettering but using the newly formed British Railways name.

Although all of the engines shown are correct for each period we are aware that lots of you like the familiar preservation appearance of these engines and also like to recreate the activities of those cheeky GWR shed crews who ignored the rules about painting the chimneys and safety valve bonnets of non-express engines and polished them anyway!
So using the standard scenario numbering system you can have your chimney and safety valve bonnet shining with much less scraping and polishing. And this is of course available on all classes.

So that covers the 4 classes included in the pack and takes us right up to 1948. Next time we'll take a look at the large prairies as they appeared under British Railways and worked through right to the very last days of steam in Britain.