Western Times Churchward Saint Class Special

Commencing with evaluation of the challenges in introduction of larger locomotives, a detailed description of how the design’s key features were developed follows, stimulated by Churchward’s studies of French and American practice. There are details of differences applied to individual engines through the years and a review of specific experimental rebuilding of particular class members. There is a guide to the multi-facetted re-namings that affected a significant number of the seventy-seven ‘Saints’. Photographic coverage shows the various tenders that worked with the class, as well as scenes of them at work and in decline.In conclusion there is homage to the type’s resuscitation in recent years through the efforts of the preservation community. The WT ‘Specials’ series commenced in 1923 by furnishing a memento the most important British railway event of that year, celebration of the Castle Class’s centenary. This issue addresses recognises one of the most significant of all British steam types.