Rhymney Railway R class

The Rhymney Railway R class was a class of 0-6-2 steam tank locomotives introduced in 1907 and designed by the railway's engineer Hurry Riches. They were substantial engines, weighing 67 long tons and measuring 37 feet in length, and were ideally suited to hauling heavy coal trains a relatively short distance. There were three at first, augmented to five in 1909, built by Robert Stephenson, with a further four built by Hudswell Clarke and six by Beyer, Peacock and Company in 1921. Together with the related M class of 1904 and the A, A1 and P classes they were designed for the Rhymney Railway, and after the Great Western Railway absorbed it in 1923 they became part of the blueprint for its 5600 class. Five R class engines were upgraded from 1926 onwards, and in 1926 number 17 was reboilered so that it looked almost identical to a 5600.