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The Collett 2251 class was originally designed to replace the Dean goods engines in use on lightly laid lines in Central Wales. 120 were built between 1930 and 1948. They saw use on most parts of the former GWR system, working short haul main line trains and branch passenger services. They were withdrawn from service between December 1958 and June 1965; 3205 is the only surviving example<ref>[http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/m_in_060_2251.htm Great Western Archive]</ref>.
A number of the class including 3205 were used on the Severn Valley Branch from the mid 1950s onward, mostly operating from Shrewsbury although No. 2207 was housed at [[Kidderminster Shed]]. As well as freight duties, they worked occasional summer Sunday passenger trains<ref name=Smith>[[Bibliography#Books|Smith (1968)]] p. 46.</ref>.
==Service==
3205 was built at Swindon and entered service in October 1946 allocated to Gloucester Horton Road, although spending most of her time at its sub-shed at Cheltenham. In June 1955 the locomotive spent 3 months at [[Worcester]] before returning to Gloucester, with a permanent move to Worcester taking place in October 1956. In August 1960 3205 moved to [[Shrewsbury]], from where she is known to have worked ; being recorded on a passenger service on the Severn Valley Branchin 1961. <ref name=Smith/> Three months in summer 1961 were spent at Machynlleth before returning to Shrewsbury’s sub-shed at Craven Arms.
By 1963 3205 was spending most of her time in storage out of use, initially at Hereford and later at Exmouth Junction. She was steamed again in March 1965 to work [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/60s/650327er.html "The Exmoor Ranger" railtour], and in May 1965 moved to the S&D Templecome shed for a final few weeks. She was withdrawn from service in June 1965, but had one final duty on 2 October 1965, working the leg of the Ian Allen [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/60s/651002ia.html "Pendennis Castle Special railtour"] from Exeter to Totnes with another GWR locomotive, 4555, as a positioning move to deliver the locomotives and four BR(W) auto trailers into preservation <ref>[http://www.brdatabase.info/locoqry.php?action=locodata&type=S&id=3205&loco=3205 BRDatabase]</ref><ref name=SVR6>SVR News 6, April 1967</ref>.
