Posts
BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 “Evening Star”
The Last Steam Locomotive Built in Britain
— And One of Its Greatest
1954–2020
International Giants of Steam — Part 6
1. The Final British Heavy Freight Design
1951: British Railways decided to standardise everything. Robert Riddles designed twelve standard classes. The 9F 2-10-0 was the ultimate — and the last.
2. Production
- Built: 1954–1960
- Factories: Crewe & Swindon
- Total: 251 locomotives
- Last steam locomotive built for BR: 92220 Evening Star, 18 March 1960
3. Specifications
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Tractive effort | 39,670 lbf |
| Top speed (service) | 90 mph (recorded 96 mph) |
| Drawbar horsepower | ~2,450 hp |
| Coal / water | 9 tons / 4,725 gal |
4. Career Highlights
- Fastest recorded steam run in Britain: 92203 “Black Prince” — 96 mph, 1960
- Regular 900-ton freight trains at 60–70 mph
- Some fitted with Franco-Crosti boilers (10 units)
- 92220 Evening Star named and painted lined Brunswick green — the only 9F ever to receive passenger livery
5. The End
- Last revenue freight: August 1968
- Last steam-hauled railtour: 92203, 2020 (Severn Valley Railway)
6. Survivors 2025
9 preserved, 6 currently operational on heritage lines (92212, 92214, 92134, 92203, 92220 Evening Star, 92240)
7. Final Thought
Britain invented the railway. On 18 March 1960 it built its very last steam locomotive — and accidentally made one of the best freight engines the country ever had.
The International Giants of Steam series will return.
No comments:
Post a Comment