GWR foxcote manore at tenterden railway

"Foxcote Manor" is a distinguished 78xx locomotive, part of the Manor class, meticulously crafted under the direction of Charles Collett, the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Great Western Railway. Manufactured at Swindon Works in 1950 by British Railways, "Foxcote" belongs to the second wave of Manors, a series of ten introduced to complement the initial twenty constructed in 1938-9.The Manor Class, designated as a 5MT (Western region D) locomotive, boasts a 4-6-0 configuration with a total weight of 107 tonnes in operational condition. This design results in a comparatively light axle loading of 17 tonnes, a crucial specification on the GWR where the limitations of earlier locomotives like the Dean Goods and Dukedogs were evident. The advantageous light axle loading provides a versatile route availability (blue) and offers the GWR a nimble yet powerful option for train haulage. While some critics may argue that the Manors appear "over-cylindered," this robust design proves indispensable when conquering challenging inclines such as Talerddig.The Manor distinguishes itself as the smallest among GWR's 4-6-0 locomotives, overshadowed by the likes of Saints, Halls, Castles, Kings, and Granges. Despite its size, the Manor adheres faithfully to the standard appearance characteristic of GWR locomotives, embodying the quintessential aesthetic of the steam era. The Manors feature a unique Swindon No.14 boiler, with 33 boilers manufactured for the 30 members of the Manor class. Specifically designed to fit snugly into the compact frames of a Manor, these locomotives boast a short stature, a leading bogie, and six driving wheels expertly integrated. "Foxcote Manor" has been retired with the boiler numbered 6419, an example from 1938-9. However, it was common practice to exchange boilers during locomotive repairs, contributing to continual enhancements in performance and efficiency.