28xx / 2884 Prototype

The GWR prototype 2-8-0 locomotive 2800 (originally No 97) was built in 1903
After two years of trials before further production began which resulted in 84 of the class being built.
The design was much in advance of its time and this class and the slightly modified 2884 class were built from 1903 until 1942.
They remained the standard freight design on the GWR for the rest of the Company’s existence and were used on the heaviest freight trains.