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→After nationalisation: additional info
==After nationalisation==
During the Second World War the LNER developed a somewhat more sophisticated version of the GWR's route availability classification system which was adopted by BR after nationalisation. Route Availability was based on classes RA 1 to RA 10 and took into account the weight per foot length of a locomotive rather than just the simple axle loading used by the GWR, while . BR also adopted the LMS classification system for locomotive power was based on classes 0 to 9 with distinctions made for Passenger, Freight and Mixed Traffic.<ref>[https://www.devboats.co.uk/gwdrawings/weightrestrictions.php devboats.co.uk]</ref><ref>Wikipedia</ref>
However in BR's Western Region, the old GWR system continued in use until after the Severn Valley Branch closed in 1963, with BR locomotive classes being allocated the relevant GWR route colours. For example a BR Standard Class 4 tank engine such as [[80079]] was given the general BR classification of axle load class RA5 and power class 4MT. Within BR(W) the route availability became "''Class 4 (2-6-4T) (80XXX): Prohibited on 'Yellow' and 'Uncoloured' routes. Restrictions – as for 'Blue' engines.''"<ref>[http://www.michaelclemensrailways.co.uk/?atk=559 ''British Railways Western Region, Locomotive Route Availability, June 1963'' via Michael Clemens]</ref>.
One result of BR's new method of assessing weight restrictions without solely relying on axle weight was that the 5700 class pannier tanks were reclassified from "Blue" to "Yellow" by BR(W) in 1950. The reason given was the low 'hammer blow' that the class produced, which reduced the wear on the track.
==Preservation==
