'Hall' and 'Grange' chimneys

The frequent interchange of GWR Standard No. 1 boilers between classes complicates the question of ‘Hall’ (49XX/59XX/69XX) and ‘Grange’ (68XX) chimneys. There are many cases of ‘Granges’ appearing in traffic with ‘Hall’ chimneys and vice versa, followed in later years by the taller, thinner ‘ID’ chimney that was fitted as part of the Improved Draughting works. In this update we provide some information to assist you in choosing the right chimney design, although there is no substitute for a good photograph of your chosen locomotive in the period you have selected to ensure you have the details right. In the reservation forms we have now added the option of the ID chimney.

‘HALL’ class 4-6-0s

GWR Period
In the GWR period the ‘Halls’ originally appeared with the early taller chimney fitted with a capuchon ring on the front top of the chimney. Later, after the ‘Grange’ was introduced in August 1936, many ‘Halls’ received boilers fitted with the shorter ‘Grange’ chimney that also had a capuchon on the front lip.

BR Period
In the BR period the improved draughting ‘ID’ chimneys originating with ‘Modified Halls’ also appeared on some of the standard Collett ‘Halls’. The ‘ID’ chimneys are taller and thinner than the standard ‘Hall’ or ‘Grange’ chimneys and do not have a capuchon. In the early BR period when the locomotives were painted black we have found pictures of locomotives fitted with the taller ‘Hall’ chimney, the shorter ‘Grange’ Chimney and also the ‘ID’ chimney. In the later BR (totem) period it seems that the taller ‘Hall’ chimney was not fitted to many engines. By this time most locomotives seem to have either the ‘ID’ chimney or the ‘Grange’ chimney.

      

‘GRANGE’ class 4-6-0s

GWR period
Apart from the first three locomotives, which at the very beginning of their lives were fitted with cast iron chimneys similar to the GWR Moguls, the boilers for subsequent Granges were all fitted with a new, smaller copper capped chimney with capuchon. We are not offering the early Mogul-style chimney as these were quickly replaced on the first engines by standard ‘Grange’ chimneys. However, during the GWR period there were many instances of ‘Granges’ running with the taller ‘Hall’ chimneys probably as a result of swapping boilers from ‘Halls’.

BR Period
During the early BR period most engines appear to have carried the standard ‘Grange’ chimney with some engines fitted with the taller ‘Hall’ chimney as a result of boiler swaps. In the BR (totem) period increasingly more ‘Granges’ were fitted with the ‘ID’ chimney, which appears to have been in general use on the engines at or towards the end of their lives. By this time it seems that ‘Hall’ chimneys were not common on ‘Granges’.

      

How do you choose right chimney for your locomotive?

We are unaware of a totally reliable source of information on what type of chimney was installed on each engine at each stage of its life. So the best way to discover what chimney was fitted to your selected engine for the period that is of interest for you is to try to find an appropriate photograph. We have a number of books that cover every Hall and Grange, but most of the photos are for the BR era, especially the totem period. So to the extent that we are able we would be happy to give you any information that we have, but we cannot guarantee complete accuracy. For the GWR period we have very limited photographic resources, but as boilers were frequently changed many engines will have had both the ‘Hall’ and ‘Grange’ chimneys. If you have already reserved a locomotive and want further advice, please do contact us as soon as possible. We will do our best to help you.