Lot Essay
This type was introduced in 1936, notionally 'designed' by C.B. Collett of the GWR and, at first, originally referred to as the 'Earl' Class because of the names originally carried (see below). An eventual twenty nine examples were built between then and 1939 (GWR No's 3200-28, renumbered 9000-28 in 1946) and but for the outbreak of war, a grand total of forty engines would almost certainly have been built (they were ordered). Old-fashioned in concept and lineaments at the time they first appeared (the 'Dukedog' soubriquet is actually a nickname which reflects their origins, for they were in fact rebuilds of the 'Duke' and 'Bulldog' Classes), their introduction made eminently good sense in the context of the GWR at that time.
The philosophy behind their building was quite simple. In spite of the great forward strides which the GWR had made between 1902 and the mid 1930's in terms of more sophisticated and modern larger locomotives for most of the principle lines, there were still a number of routes (notably but not exclusively on the former Cambrian Railways part of the GWR) where smaller engines with relatively light axle-loading were still required and it no doubt seemed attractive (and financially sensible) to re-use serviceable parts of withdrawn older engines, together with new components where necessary.
Thus it was that these engines were technically rebuilds of earlier Churchward Bulldog Class 4-4-0s of 1902 in that the frames of withdrawn members of that class (the defining part of the locomotive) were used. However, they were actually regarded as replacements for scrapped examples of the even earlier and physically similar 'Duke' Class 4-4-0s, designed by William Dean in 1895 and whose duties they mostly took up. In many cases the 'new' engines were given the cabs from withdrawn Dukes and in effect, they combined Duke type boiler proportions with Bulldog chassis; but since the boilers themselves (the 'heart' of the engine) were new built, it is not unreasonable to regard them as mostly new engines.
When built, it was originally intended that they should carry the names of withdrawn Duke Class 4-4-0s but only one was so distinguished, and even then only for a few months. In the event, the first thirteen engines were actually given a new series of rather splendid 'Earl' names, the subject of this model being, as No.3214, originally intended to carry the name Earl Waldegrave. However, or so it is said, some of the exalted personages whose names were carried (or intended to be carried) by the engines, took exception to their names appearing on such small and old-fashioned looking machines and the 'Earl' names were, in consequence, transferred instead to the more imposing 'Castle' Class 4-6-0s and thereafter, the 4-4-0s ran nameless - of such inconsequential ephemera is the history of locomotives made....
During GWR days, the engines were originally painted GWR green but when they came into BR stock in 1948, black was the designated choice. No.9014 was one of two which, in 1949, were given a more elaborate version with the attractive red/cream/grey lining of the pre-1923 London and North Western Railway but thereafter, all repainted 'Dukedogs' became plain black, including No.9014 when next repainted.
The philosophy behind their building was quite simple. In spite of the great forward strides which the GWR had made between 1902 and the mid 1930's in terms of more sophisticated and modern larger locomotives for most of the principle lines, there were still a number of routes (notably but not exclusively on the former Cambrian Railways part of the GWR) where smaller engines with relatively light axle-loading were still required and it no doubt seemed attractive (and financially sensible) to re-use serviceable parts of withdrawn older engines, together with new components where necessary.
Thus it was that these engines were technically rebuilds of earlier Churchward Bulldog Class 4-4-0s of 1902 in that the frames of withdrawn members of that class (the defining part of the locomotive) were used. However, they were actually regarded as replacements for scrapped examples of the even earlier and physically similar 'Duke' Class 4-4-0s, designed by William Dean in 1895 and whose duties they mostly took up. In many cases the 'new' engines were given the cabs from withdrawn Dukes and in effect, they combined Duke type boiler proportions with Bulldog chassis; but since the boilers themselves (the 'heart' of the engine) were new built, it is not unreasonable to regard them as mostly new engines.
When built, it was originally intended that they should carry the names of withdrawn Duke Class 4-4-0s but only one was so distinguished, and even then only for a few months. In the event, the first thirteen engines were actually given a new series of rather splendid 'Earl' names, the subject of this model being, as No.3214, originally intended to carry the name Earl Waldegrave. However, or so it is said, some of the exalted personages whose names were carried (or intended to be carried) by the engines, took exception to their names appearing on such small and old-fashioned looking machines and the 'Earl' names were, in consequence, transferred instead to the more imposing 'Castle' Class 4-6-0s and thereafter, the 4-4-0s ran nameless - of such inconsequential ephemera is the history of locomotives made....
During GWR days, the engines were originally painted GWR green but when they came into BR stock in 1948, black was the designated choice. No.9014 was one of two which, in 1949, were given a more elaborate version with the attractive red/cream/grey lining of the pre-1923 London and North Western Railway but thereafter, all repainted 'Dukedogs' became plain black, including No.9014 when next repainted.