GWR 5700 Class


The GWR 5700 Class, or 57xx class, was a class of 0-6-0 pannier tank steam locomotive, built by the Great Western Railway and British Railways between 1929 and 1950. With 863 built, they were the most prolific class of the GWR, and one of the most numerous classes of British steam locomotive.
Although officially designated by GWR as "light goods and shunting engines", they were also used for passenger working on branch, suburban, and shorter mainline journeys.
They were distributed across most of the GWR network and, after nationalisation of the railways in 1948, across the British Railways Western Region, and also other regions.
The 5700s were not as glamorous as the GWR Castles and Kings, but became just as much of an icon of the GWR.
As a result of the 1955 Modernisation Plan, the 5700 Class was withdrawn from BR service between 1956 and 1966. Nineteen withdrawn locomotives were sold to London Transport and industry, of which ten were later preserved, along with six that were retrieved from scrapyards.

Background

The GWR started designing and building 0-6-0 tank locomotives in 1860, and this continued into the BR era until 1956, with a total of 2,393 being built. The GWR also used 0-6-0 tank locomotives from other manufacturers' designs, and since 1898 it always had at least 1,000 tank locomotives in stock.
The early 0-6-0 tank engines were fitted with either saddle tanks or side tanks. GWR first fitted pannier tanks in 1898 to nine 4-4-0 tank locomotives and, in 1901, to five 0-6-0T locomotives which were also fitted with Belpaire fireboxes. The shape of the Belpaire firebox gives a larger surface area which improves heat transfer and steam production, but their rectangular shape made them difficult to combine with saddle tanks. Locomotives fitted with pannier tanks have a lower centre of gravity than those with saddle tanks, and access for maintenance is easier than for those fitted with side tanks.
George Churchward's period as Chief Mechanical Engineer is well known for significant improvements in locomotive design and manufacture, and the development of standard designs. However, the scope of the standard designs did not include the 0-6-0 tank locomotive, and the GWR did not introduce any new 0-6-0 tank designs from 1897 to 1928.
However, pannier tanks and Belpaire fireboxes became the standard for the rebuilding of various 0-6-0 tank locomotives. The rebuilding program also included a number of other changes including:
With the completion of grouping in 1923, GWR's collection of 0-6-0 tank locomotives was expanded with the stock from 28 acquired companies. The acquired tank locomotives came from different manufacturers, were a mixture of side, saddle and pannier, and varied widely by size and state of repair. In addition, GWR's stock was wearing out, and the variety of classes was problematic for maintenance and rostering. Collett had to produce a new standard design for 0-6-0 pannier tanks. The result was the 5700 class.

Design

The first batch of 300 locomotives built between 1929 and 1931 included a medium height chimney, a mid-boiler dome, safety valve with cover, and an enclosed cab. The boiler included a top-feed. They were similar in appearance to older 0-6-0 tank engines that had been rebuilt as pannier tanks, particularly the later rebuilds of the 2721 class. The 2721 class was itself a development of the 1854 class, which in turn was based on the 645 class.

Specification

The table below gives the technical specifications of the 5700 class. Values are from GWR diagram B48 unless referenced otherwise.
Dimensions
Firegrate area
Firebox
Tubes
Heating surface
Boiler
Working pressure
Cylinders
Valve gearStephenson
Wheels diameter, coupled
Wheelbase15 ft 6 in
Tractive effort
Coal capacity
Water capacity
Weight
Minimum curve

The 5700s were given the GWR route colour Blue, and were in the GWR power group C. The classifications were shown on the cab with the letter C in a blue disc.
le Fleming describes the 5700 class as "an almost unaltered continuation of the 27xx rebuilds" and Holcroft describes them as "practically identical to 2721 rebuilds", but according to Oswald Nock it was "a thoroughly modern design", and Jones notes that design included "numerous detailed improvements" and reflected improved construction techniques. The main differences from the 2721 class include:
The initial design also included a return to non-fluted coupling rods and laminated springs beneath the leading and driving axleboxes. The locomotives were also fitted with cast iron chimneys, and the whistles were fitted on top of the firebox rather than on top of the cab.

6700 Sub-class

Of the first batch of 300 locomotives, most were fitted with vacuum brakes and steam heating, and some of these were also fitted with GWR's Automatic Train Control safety system.
However, the 50 locomotives of the 6700 Class, or 67xx class, were not fitted with vacuum brakes, steam heating, or ATC, and were fitted with three link couplings only; they were therefore limited to shunting duties and some freight working. The 6700s had a smaller minimum curve radius of and and an increased axle clearance.

8750 Sub-class

The 8750 Class, or 87xx class, were first built in 1933, using an updated design which included an improved cab with a higher roof, rectangular windows and grills, and sliding shutters and hinged doors for more protection from the elements. The new style cab was derived from the sister 5400 class, the first of which were built in 1931. Vacuum brakes, steam heating, and ATC were fitted as standard. The locomotive weight increased to, and the axle load increased to.

9700 Class

The 9700 Class, or 97xx class, pannier tanks were a direct development of the 5700 class. The prototype for the class, No. 8700, was a rebuilt 5700 locomotive. They were specifically for working on the /Hammersmith & City line between Paddington station and. They replaced Metro and 633 class locomotives.
The eleven locomotives in the class had condensing apparatus that fed the exhaust steam back into the water tanks. The tanks themselves were shortened to make room for the external exhaust pipes and were extended down to the footplate in front of the cab to increase their capacity. As condensing the steam heated the water, a reciprocating pump was fitted as a boiler feedwater pump because standard injectors will not work with hot water. The pumps led to tests with these locomotives acting as fire engines during World War II.
To work over the electrified underground lines, the 9700 Class locomotives had a special type of ATC equipment that lifted clear of the centre rail and had tripcock brake valves that matched the London Transport signalling system. The design changes resulted in reduced coal and water capacities. The locomotive weight increased to, and the axle load increased to.

Later developments

From 1936 to 1942 a number of small changes were introduced to new builds:
All these changes were later applied to locomotives that had been built earlier. The new top feed became standard for new locomotives in 1944. Some older boilers and locomotives were later fitted with the new top feed, and some locomotives that were built with the new top feed were later changed back to the old design as boilers were swapped.

Variants

A small number of 5700s were adapted for specific tasks:
The first 5700s were built in 1929 by North British Locomotive Co. and, later in the year, at GWR's Swindon Works. Between 1929 and 1931 a total of 300 were built, of which 50 were built by GWR, and the rest by outside contractors:
It was unusual, but not unprecedented, for GWR to use outside contractors to build locomotives. The building programme was partly funded by interest-free Government loans intended to relieve unemployment during the Great Depression. Also, stricter accountancy rules that distinguished between maintenance and building costs meant that it was often economically worthwhile to build new locomotives rather than repair older locomotives.
At first, more 5700s were built than were immediately needed so Nos. 6700–49 were stored for a couple of years before being allocated. Many of these were then assigned to sheds near the South Wales ports of Newport, Barry, Cardiff and Swansea.
After a gap of a year, building started again in 1933, with the 8750 and 9700 classes, and continued until 1950. All the later locomotives, totalling 563, were built at Swindon, and the numbers built only dropped in the last few years with the introduction of the 9400 class in 1947.

Numbers built

A total of 863 5700s were built and the table below shows the number built by year.
Year1929193019311932193319341935193619371938193919401941194219431944194519461947194819491950
Numbers97138650314940455037533218372622432910171410

Build details

The 5700s were specified by 27 different order numbers, or lots, shown below.
DateLot No.No. BuiltGWR/BR NumbersBuilder and NumbersNotes
Jan–Apr 1929256505700–49North British Locomotive Co.
23818–67		Built with vacuum brakes, but without steam heating apparatus or ATC, which were both added later.
Delivered with brass number plates.
Apr–Sep 1929258305750–79Swindon Works, GWRBuilt with vacuum brakes and steam heating. Fitted with ATC in the following few years.
Fitted with cast iron number plates.
Dec 1929 – Nov 1930260205780–99Swindon Works, GWRBuilt with vacuum brakes and steam heating. Nos. 5790–99 were fitted with ATC. Nos. 5780–5789 were fitted with ATC in the following few years.
Dec 1929 – Feb 1930264257725–49North British Locomotive Co.
23921–45		Built with vacuum brakes and steam heating. ATC added a few years after delivery.
Jan–Mar 1930263257700–24Kerr Stuart
4435–59		Built with vacuum brakes and steam heating. ATC added a few years after delivery.
Fitted with riveted tanks and polished brass safety valve covers.
Feb–Oct 1930262256700–24W. G. Bagnall
2381–2405		Built with steam brakes only and three link couplings.
Fitted with riveted tanks.
Mar 1930 – Jan 1931265256725–49Yorkshire Engine Co.
2249–73		Built with steam brakes only and three link couplings.
Fitted with riveted tanks.
Nov 1930 – Jan 1931271257775–99Armstrong Whitworth
1131–55		Built with vacuum brakes and steam heating apparatus. ATC added on arrival at Swindon.
Fitted with polished brass safety valve covers.
Dec 1930 – Sep 1931272258725–49W. G. Bagnall
2422–46		Fitted with riveted tanks and polished brass safety valve covers.
Feb–Apr 1931273258700–24Beyer Peacock
6680–6704		Fitted with polished brass safety valve covers. Includes the first No. 8700, which was later modified as the prototype for the 9700 class, and was renumbered No. 9700 in January 1934.
Nov 1930 – Mar 1931274257750–74North British Locomotive Co.
24038–62
Sep–Dec 1933282109701–10Swindon Works, GWRBuilt for working on London Transport lines. Built with new style cab, condensing equipment, Weir pump, modified ATC, and tripcock brake valves.
Sep 1933 – Mar 1934282498750–98Swindon Works, GWRBuilt with new style cab, ATC, steam heating, and vacuum brakes. This was the standard equipment for all later locomotives which were for shunting only.
Mar 193428218700Swindon Works, GWRThe second No. 8700. The first was modified with condensing equipment and new cab as the prototype for the 9700 class. The old cab was saved and fitted to the new No. 8700.
Jun 193428518799Swindon Works, GWR
Jun 1934 – Jun 1935285499711–59Swindon Works, GWR
Sep 1935 – Jul 1936293259760–84Swindon Works, GWRWhistle shields were introduced.
May 1936 – Sep 1936299159785–99Swindon Works, GWRPocket steps and extra handrails were added to the left of the bunker. First fitted to No. 9795.
Sep 1936 – Aug 1937299353700–34Swindon Works, GWR
Aug 1937 – Sep 1938306503735–84Swindon Works, GWRA larger whistle shield was introduced and first fitted to No. 3774.
Sep–Dec 1938314153785–99Swindon Works, GWR
Dec 1938 – Jul 1939314353600–34Swindon Works, GWR
Sep 1939 – Jul 1940325503635–84Swindon Works, GWR
Dec 1940 – Sep 1941330153685–99Swindon Works, GWR
Sep 1941 – Nov 1942330354600–34Swindon Works, GWR
Dec 1942 – Jun 1943336264635–60Swindon Works, GWR
Oct 1943 – Feb 1945352394661–99Swindon Works, GWR
Feb–Oct 1945352229600–21Swindon Works, GWR
Nov 1945 – Mar 1946355209622–41Swindon Works, GWR
Apr–Jun 1946356109642–51Swindon Works, GWR
Nov–Dec 1946362109652–61Swindon Works, GWR
Jun–Sep 1947362106750–59Swindon Works, GWRBuilt with steam brakes only and three link couplings.
Apr–Jun 1948370119662–72Swindon Works, BR
Nov 1948 – Jan 1949374106760–69Swindon Works, BRBuilt with smokebox number plates, as were all later locomotives.
Feb–May 1949378109673–82Swindon Works, BR
Nov–Dec 1950379106770–79Swindon Works, BR

Costs

Some known costs are shown below, along with estimated equivalent values for 2013.
GWR No.BuilderDateCost2013 labour cost2013 economic cost
5764Swindon Works, GWR£2,651£419,500£894,900
7714Kerr Stuart£1,160£185,000£398,100
7754North British Locomotive Co.£2,800£446,500£961,000
3650Swindon Works, GWR£2,844£414,100£761,200
4612Swindon Works, GWR£3,451£425,000£576,500
9682Swindon Works, BR£5,280£429,900£657,200

Numbering and liveries

The size of the class demanded that the 5700 class locomotives were spread across several series of numbers.
The different series started in the following chronological order; 57xx, 77xx, 67xx, 87xx, 97xx, 37xx, 36xx, 46xx, and 96xx. GWR locomotives were not renumbered after nationalisation, but a W was temporarily added to some locomotives.
The first 5700s built were painted in the standard GWR livery of the time; mainly green above the running plate with the words "GREAT WESTERN" painted in yellow letters with red and black shadowing on the side of the pannier tanks, buffer beams painted red with the number shown in yellow letters with black shadowing, and the front of the smokebox and chimney were black. From 1934 the GWR "shirtbutton" roundel replaced "GREAT WESTERN". From 1942 GWR replaced the roundel with the letters "G W R", in yellow letters with red and black shading. Due to wartime shortages most locomotives, apart from the Kings and Castles, were painted black from 1942 to 1945.
After nationalisation, some 5700s were painted in BR green with the words "BRITISH RAILWAYS" on the side of the pannier tanks, but unlined black soon became the standard for tank locomotives, with the BR crest on the sides of the pannier tanks. Some 5700s also had white and red lining on the pannier tanks and cab sides. The BR crest was changed in 1957.
The 5700s bought by London Transport between 1956 and 1963 were repainted in the standard LT maroon livery with yellow and black lining. Those bought by NCB were painted in a light green.

Operation

The 5700s were used on GWR for various duties including shunting, pilot work, and light to medium goods. They were also used on branch, commuter and shorter mainline passenger trains. They were also used on standby for more powerful locomotives, sometimes producing "firework displays" as they strived to keep to the schedule with heavier loads.
The 5700s were never fitted remote control gear for working autotrains. This was left to smaller pannier locomotives that followed; the 5400 class and the 6400 Class.
The 9700s and built specifically for working the line between Paddington and Smithfield, were allocated to Old Oak Common.
The 6700s eventually found their niche working the marshalling yards between the South Wales coalfields and the coal exporting docks of Llanelli, Swansea, Cardiff, Barry and Newport. Some were allocated to just one shed for their entire working life. A number of 6700s were also allocated to Swindon, with 6733–41 spending a long time there.
Thirteen 5700s were fitted with spark arresting chimneys for working in industrial and military systems and sidings, particularly the War Department ammunition dump at Milton, near Didcot during World War II.
The Pwllyrhebog Colliery incline on the former Taff Vale Railway was a 1-in-13 incline with a continuous rope cable so that a descending train was partially counterbalanced by an ascending train. The locomotives on the incline were fitted with coned boilers so that there was always sufficient water above the firebox. To provide additional control and power a stationary locomotive, fitted with two intergeared drums, controlled the cable. No. 2750 Class 2721 had been fitted with the necessary winding gear to control the incline in 1935, but was withdrawn in 1945, and replaced by 5700 No. 7722 which was fitted with the winding gear in 1946. Operation of the incline ended in 1952.

Allocation

The 5700s' route classification meant that they were allowed on approximately 70% of the GWR network. By 1938 only 15 running sheds did not have any 5700s allocated.
In 1950, the route classification was changed to Yellow because of the 5700s' low hammer blow. The change did not apply to Nos. 9700–10. This meant that 5700s were now allowed on almost 90% of the old GWR network. By 1954 only five running sheds did not have any 5700s allocated.

BR working

In the early years of British Railways the boundaries between the Western Region and the Southern Region changed a number of times. 5700s took up new duties in a variety of places:
The last scheduled passenger trains hauled by 5700s on BR were on seen London Midland Region on the Wrexham to New Brighton route. The Wrexham to Seacombe service ended at the beginning of 1960 but was immediately replaced by a Diesel Multiple Unit service between Wrexham and New Brighton. The service on Bank Holidays was so popular that demand outstripped available DMUs, and a relief train of four coaches pulled by No. 3749 was laid on. Two more 5700s were used over the Spring Bank Holiday that year, but from then BR Standard Class 4 2-6-4T locomotives usually handled the relief services. In 1965 5700s were used for the last time on Whit Monday and August Bank Holiday relief services.
The 5700s were the last steam locomotives used on GWR/Western region. The last working locomotives were allocated to Croes Newydd, and were working goods trains and shunting until November 1966. By the end of the steam era the record keeping of allocations and working of local steam locomotives was rather lax, and it was not unknown for locomotives to be used after being officially withdrawn. For many years Nos. 4646, 4696, and 9774 were thought to be the last ex-GWR locomotives to work on British Rail, but No. 9641 was also still in steam at Croes Newydd at the same time.

5700s at work

Accidents and incidents

There were numerous other classes of pannier tanks built by the GWR. The majority belonged to two "families" of "large" and "small" designs. Others included absorbed stock, more specialised types and conversions of tender locos. The two main groups were:-
For example, within the "small" group, the GWR 5400 Class locomotives were derived from the William Dean -designed GWR 2021 Class, with larger wheels for higher top speed and fitted with autotrain apparatus for push-pull passenger work. The GWR 6400 Class were similar to the 5400 Class, also being auto-fitted, but having the same size wheels as the 5700. The GWR 7400 Class were very similar to the 6400 Class, but were not auto-fitted and had a higher boiler pressure.
Within the "large" group, the GWR 9400 Class was the post-war updated design of the 8750 variant of the 57xx: heavier and longer, but nominally no more powerful, using the same taper boiler as the GWR 2251 Class.
For a list of classes, see GWR 0-6-0PT.

Withdrawal and mileages

After the 1955 Modernisation Plan, the reduction in branch line work and the introduction of diesel shunters, the Western Region embarked on dieselisation programme which, along with a reduction in branch line work, reduced the demand for the services of the 5700s.
Withdrawal from service with BR started in 1956 and was completed in 1966.
Twenty locomotives were sold and continued in use until 1971 and 1975.
Year19561957195819591960196119621963196419651966
Numbers4164867676717011414413927

le Fleming noted that the mileages of those withdrawn between March 1956 and March 1958 ranged "between 500,000 and 556,000". Some other known mileages are shown below.
NumberBuiltWithdrawnMileage
3650Dec 1939Sep 1963
3738 Sep 1937Jul 1963~
4612 Feb 1942Jul 1965
5764 Jun 1929
7714 Apr 1930Jan 1959
9629 Dec 1945
9682 May 1949Aug 1965over

Use after British Railways

Nineteen 5700s were sold for further use after being withdrawn by British Railways. The National Coal Board bought five, one was bought by P.D. Fuels, and thirteen were bought by London Transport.
One more locomotive, No. 9642, was withdrawn in 1964 and sold for scrap to Hayes Scrapyard. It was used for three years to shunt other locomotives being scrapped, and was later saved for preservation.

London Transport

Although the London underground network had been electrified for many years a small number of steam locomotives were retained for engineering and ballast trains. By the 1950s the locomotives were past their prime and expensive to maintain, and the planned quadrupling of part of the Metropolitan line would require reliable locomotives. London Transport considered replacing the steam fleet with diesel shunters, and had also tested a Great Northern Railway Class J52 locomotive in 1955.
The first 5700 locomotive, No. 7711, underwent trials from January to April 1956, first running between Finchley Road and Baker Street. Modifications were needed to the cab for clearance and the tripcock brake valves after problems were found when running in reverse. Curtains were also fitted to the cab to reduce smoke and fumes in tunnels. In May, the 5700s became the standard for engineering trains on London Transport when they bought No. 7711, decided to buy another, and planned to buy more over the coming years.
Thirteen 5700s were bought by London Transport. They were numbered L89 to L99 and were allocated to the depots at Lillie Bridge and Neasden. Only eleven were running at any one time, the original L90 and L91 were withdrawn for repairs but scrapped instead and replaced by other locomotives which carried the same number.
They worked permanent way trains and were never used on normal passenger services. Main line running included trips between depots, to Acton Works and runs out to Croxley Tip, near Watford.
Three of the LT 5700s lasted until the end of steam on London Transport in 1971 and were the last steam locomotives used for regular mainline working in the UK. London Transport commemorated the end of operating steam locomotives with a special run from Moorgate station to Neasden depot. The train comprised No. L94 and a selection of maintenance rolling stock.
Three diesel-hydraulic locomotives were bought to carry out the shunting duties from then on.

National Coal Board

Between 1959 and 1965 the National Coal Board bought five 5700s from BR for use at pits in South Wales, continuing a tradition of the GWR selling withdrawn pannier tank locomotives to the NCB. The engines retained their BR numbers. The NCB locomotives did not receive maintenance to match GWR standards and were run into the ground, saving the cost of expensive overhauls.
One of the NCB 5700s, No. 7754, was the last in industrial service, and after working at various collieries was moved to Deep Duffryn Colliery at Mountain Ash in 1970, where an ex-GWR fitter kept it working until 1975 when a loose piston resulted in a blown cylinder cover. No. 7754 could still be seen on shed in 1980. The NCB donated No. 7754 to the National Museum Wales, who placed it on permanent loan to the Llangollen Railway. It is now owned by the Llangollen Railway Trust.
BR No.Date BuiltDate to NCBLocationNotes
366319401962Nine Mile PointScrapped 1966
771419301959PenalltaSold to Severn Valley Railway
775419301959Mountain AshDonated by NCB to the National Museum Wales
960019451965Merthyr ValeSold to 7029 Clun Castle Ltd
979219361964MaerdyScrapped 1973

Other uses

No. 3650 was withdrawn in 1963 and then sold to P.D. Fuels, a division of Stephenson Clarke Ltd., and was used to move spoil to slag heaps at Gwaen-Caer-Gurwen colliery near Ammanford, Carmarthenshire. It was later bought and restored by members of the Great Western Society and became operational in 2009.
No. 9642 was withdrawn in 1964 and sent to Hayes Scrapyard, near Bridgend. Rather than being scrapped, it was used to shunt other locomotives being scrapped. It was due to be scrapped in 1967, but a last minute intervention resulted in its being bought and restored by the South Wales Pannier Group, becoming the first of the class to be preserved.

Preservation

Sixteen 5700 class locomotives have been preserved, of which six are currently operational. Four of the class have worked mainline trains: 7715, 7752, 7760 and 9600. Of these 7752 and 9600 both are operational and capable of working excursion trains on Network Rail but 7715 and 7760 are currently out of service awaiting overhauls. Two locomotives are on static display, and two are in store. Six locomotives are undergoing, or waiting for, maintenance. One locomotive, No. 9629, is being restored, and has not been in steam since it was sent to Barry Scrapyard in 1965.
A number of those bought from London Transport, which had been maintained by British Railways, were still in running order and were used on heritage railways with minimal work. No. 5764 was steamed the day it arrived at Bridgnorth on the Severn Valley Railway, being lit-up before it had been removed from the low-loader on which it was delivered. As of June 2018, Nos. 7752 and 5786 can be seen running in the maroon livery of London Transport, but No. 7715 is currently out of service.
The locomotives that were preserved after NCB and industrial use required rather more work than those acquired from London Transport. Some had been laid up for sometime after being withdrawn, and had received very little, if any, maintenance.
Of the twelve 5700s that went to Barry Scrapyard, five were saved for preservation and one was bought for spares by the Severn Valley Railway.
No.PhotoNotesYear BuiltLocation BuiltOperated/owned by
3650 No. 3650 was withdrawn in 1963 and bought by Stephenson Clarke to work in a South Wales colliery. It was later bought by a Great Western Society member and moved to Hereford. It was then moved to Didcot Railway Centre around 1970 for full restoration and was restored to service in 2008.. It was withdrawn in 2016 for overhaul which is in progress.1939Swindon WorksDidcot Railway Centre
3738 No. 3738 was withdrawn in 1965 and sent to Barry scrapyard. It was bought by two GWS members and taken to Didcot Railway Centre in 1974, and restored to full use in 1975. After overhauls it last returned to service in 2007. It was taken out of service in 2013 because of firebox problems and is on static display.1937Swindon WorksDidcot Railway Centre
4612 No. 4612 was withdrawn in 1965, sent to Barry scrapyard, and later bought by the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in 1981 for spares. It was then bought privately in 1987 and was restored by the Swindon Railway Workshop. After restoration was completed in 2001, No. 4612 was moved to the Bodmin and Wenford Railway which now owns the locomotive, and returned to service in 2013 following a ten-year overhaul.1942Swindon WorksBodmin and Wenford Railway
5764/L95 No. 5764 was sold to London Transport in 1960 and renumbered L95. It was sold to the Severn Valley Railway in 1971, and was operational less than a month after last being used on LT. It was last used on New Year's Eve 2010, and is currently on display in The Engine House in LT livery.1929Swindon WorksSevern Valley Railway
5775/L89 No. 5775 was sold to LT in 1958 and renumbered L89. It was sold to the KWVR in 1970 and soon appeared in the film The Railway Children in the brown livery of the fictional Great North & South Railway. No. 5775 went to Locomotion, the National Railway Museum at Shildon in May 2014 to be repainted in the livery used in the film for an exhibition, and returned to the KWVR in time for a celebration of the making of the film in May 2015. Currently, the loco is on display in the exhibition shed at Oxenhope station pending a further overhaul.1929Swindon WorksKeighley and Worth Valley Railway
5786/L92 No. 5786 was sold to LT in 1958 and renumbered L92. It was sold to the Worcester Locomotive Society in 1969 and was based at Bulmers Railway Centre until 1993. Since then it has been on loan to the South Devon Railway. It returned to service in 2013 in the maroon livery of LT.1930Swindon WorksSouth Devon Railway
7714 No. 7714 was withdrawn in 1959 and sold to the National Coal Board. It was bought by SVR in 1973 and was first steamed in 1992 after an extensive overhaul. Withdrawn from service in 2009, the engine re-entered service after overhaul in late November 2016.1930Kerr StuartSevern Valley Railway
7715/L99 No. 7715 was sold to LT in 1959 and renumbered L99. It was bought by the London Railway Preservation Society in 1968 and was later certified for mainline operation on British Rail. No. 7715 has worked specials on LT and has been loaned to other heritage railways and operators, but was withdrawn from service because of a cracked boiler foundation ring. It returned to Quainton in May 2014 and is awaiting the necessary repairs to return it to service.1930Kerr StuartBuckinghamshire Railway Centre
7752/L94 No. 7752 was sold to LT in 1959 and renumbered L94. In 1971 No. 7752 hauled the last steam train on the London Underground. It was immediately bought by 7029 Clun Castle Ltd., and is certified for mainline operation. It has visited various heritage railways and was outshopped in LT livery in 2011 to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the last run on London Underground., Locomotive is to be repainted back to GWR Green with 'GREAT WESTERN' lettering at Minehead during loan to the WSR for the 2019 season1930NBL GlasgowVintage Trains, Tyseley
7754 No. 7754 was withdrawn in 1959 and sold to National Coal Board and worked at various collieries until 1975, becoming the last 5700 in "real", rather than "heritage", service. The NCB were persuaded to donate the locomotive to National Museum Wales who loaned it to Llangollen Railway, which now owns the locomotive. After a long and expensive overhaul, and the addition of parts from No. 3612 which was held for spares by the SVR, it moved under its own power in 1993. After many years in service No. 7754 is currently out of traffic undergoing overhaul.1930NBL GlasgowLlangollen Railway
7760/L90 No. 7760 was sold to LT in 1961, renumbered L90, and then sold to 7029 Clun Castle Ltd in 1971 in full working order. It has been loaned to various heritage railways and was certified for mainline operation in 2000. As of 2014 No. 7760 is out of service and awaiting a decision on its future.1930NBL GlasgowVintage Trains, Tyseley
9600 No. 9600 was withdrawn in 1965 and sold to NCB and was in service at Merthyr Vale colliery until 1973. It was then sold to 7029 Clun Castle Ltd and its overhaul was completed in 1997. No. 9600 was certified for mainline operation in 1999, re-certified in 2009, and has regularly worked excursion trains. Boiler ticket expired in 2018 and is awaiting overhaul.1945Swindon WorksVintage Trains, Tyseley
9629 No. 9629 was withdrawn in 1964 and sent to Barry scrapyard in 1965. In 1981 went to Steamtown, Carnforth for a five-year cosmetic restoration before being on static display outside the Holiday Inn, Cardiff for nine years. The owners donated it to the Pontypool & Blaenavon Locomotive Group in 1995. No. 9629 is now undergoing restoration at Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway, and its original boiler was acquired in 2012.1945Swindon WorksPontypool & Blaenavon Locomotive Group
9642 No. 9642 was withdrawn in 1964 and sent to Hayes Scrapyard, but was used to shunt other locomotives, and was saved by the South Wales Pannier Group in 1968 and was steamed in 1969. It was later moved to the Swansea Valley Railway Society, and then the Dean Forest Railway in 1994. In 2005 No. 9642 was bought privately for use on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. It was soon removed for overhaul and will return to operation when restoration is complete.1946Swindon WorksGloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
9681 No. 9681 was withdrawn and sent to Barry scrapyard in 1965. It was taken to the Dean Forest Railway in 1975 and returned to steam in 1984. It was taken out of service in 2013 for overhaul, which is currently progressing at Norchard.1949Swindon WorksDean Forest Railway
9682 No. 9682 was withdrawn in 1965 and sent to Barry scrapyard. It was bought by the GWR Preservation Group in 1982 and, after overhaul, returned to traffic in 2000. It has since been loaned to various heritage railways, most recently the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway. It was taken out of service in 2009 and returned to Southall for overhaul.1949Swindon WorksDean Forest Railway

In fiction

No. 5775 on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway featured in the film The Railway Children painted brown and lettered with GN&SR. In May 2014, No. 5775 was moved to National Railway Museum Shildon, for cosmetic restoration back to the livery used in the film.
No. 5775 also featured in the Full Steam Behind episode of Last of the Summer Wine, in its LT livery but with "LONDON TRANSPORT" replaced with "KWVR" on the side of the tank.
Duck the Great Western Engine in The Railway Series books by the Rev. W Awdry and the TV series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends is a 5700 Class pannier tank. In the books, his number was No. 5741. For the TV series, it was changed to No. 8.
No. 5764 appeared several times in the 1976 BBC television adaptation of Charles Dickens' short ghost story, The Signal-Man.

Models

has made N scale models of the 5700 and 8750 classes in various GWR and BR liveries.
Dapol make N scale models of the 5700 and 8750 classes in various GWR and BR liveries.
Bachmann Branchline has made OO gauge models of the 5700 and 8750 classes in various GWR and BR liveries, and also in the liveries of LT, NCB, Stephenson Clarke, and even GNSR.
Hornby produced various OO gauge models of the 8750 class in GWR and LT liveries.
Just Like The Real Thing make an O gauge kit for the 5700 and 8750 classes.
Dapol since their merger with Lionheart Models in August 2016 are planning on producing models of the 57xx class in O gauge in 2017/2018.
Minerva models has also released 0 gauge models of the 57xx in Great Western and British railway liveries.