1958 BR details:
BR Nos; 2322-2379.
Location; All parts of the former G.W.R. system.
Origin; G.W.R. Introduced; 1883. Designer; Wlliam Dean.
Driving Wheel; 5 ft 2 in.
Weight; 36 tons 16 cwt. Length; approx. 50 ft.
Boiler Pressure; 180 lbs. sq. in.
Cylinders; [2] 17 or 17 1/2 in. x 24 in. Tractive Effort; 20,155lb.
Coal; 5 tons. Water; 3,000 gals. or up to 4,000 gals.
Classification; 3-MT.

Notes: Quintessential British general purpose-locomotive of its age, almost impossible to decribe in the range of its influence, from worn-out war service in both world wars to as seen here in the early 1950s with an Oxford cross-country passenger service. These engines were used for all and every task, from rural lines in Wales to general purpose everywhere.
Anecdotes abound, not least one returned from war service where some prodigious feats were accomplished in North Africa, and with reversing-gear so worn by conditions that direction was a lottery. (ref. P.B.Whitehouse 'Branch Line Album vol.2)
In this picture 2579 is shown with a new BR lined black ex-shops livery, which may have happened, but was not offically sanctioned. 2579 was the last of the series, built in 1899, some having had outside frames, and it was withdrawn in 1954 after some years at Oxford.