Locomotive Class

Class 9F

Class 9F Class: Class 9F
Type: Steam
Designer: Robert A. Riddles
Weight: 139 tons plus tender from 51 to 56 tons
Purpose: Heavy Freight

Information: Class 9F was the last standard design steam locomotive conceived by British Railways in 1951 and intended for long distance heavy goods services. The final production steam locomotive built by British Railways, appropriately named “Evening Star” was out-shopped from Swindon Works in February 1960.

Details: Designed in 1951; prior to release of the Modernisation Plan, the Class 9F was essentially a fresh sheet approach to steam traction in Britain using a 2-10-0 Decapod wheel arrangement for high traction, operating economy, and ease of maintenance. Between January 1954 and February 1960, over 251 examples were out-shopped primarily for heavy freight on all regions of British Railways. Members of the class were numbered consecutively from 92000 through 92250 with 198-locomotives being built at Crewe Works and the remaining 53 being Swindon built.
The final member of the class, no. 92220 was out-shopped in February 1960 and aptly named “Evening Star”.
The 9F’s were used universally through-out Britain and could be seen on all regions during their short lifespan. Various tender types were employed depending on route allocation and the type of work associated with the region.
Although designed for heavy freight operating at low speeds; the 9F was found more than capable of running passenger services. In fact, as steam locomotives were increasingly being withdrawn the class was frequently called-up for Enthusiast Specials. Partially because of their small diameter driving wheels and high tractive effort the class found favour on the steeply graded; and soon to be closed Somerset and Devon route hauling passenger services. Although rare and considered quite dangerous; because of the high RPM of the drivers at speed, the class was recorded at in excess of 90-MPH on East Coast passenger service. Perhaps it really didn’t matter if the speed was destructive to frames and bearings as the class led woefully short working lives.
Other than the sole named example, “Evening Star” which was turned-out in lined Brunswick Green; all other 9F’s were unnamed and painted unlined black. Early or late versions of the British Railways lion crest were applied to tender sides.
Withdrawals commenced in May 1964 and the entire class was eradicated by June 1968. Nine members escaped the wrecker’s torch with several being operational today. “Evening Star” was appropriately allocated to the National Railway Museum collection in York where she can be seen today.

John Faulkner

Class 9F Releases (15)

MODEL NO. LIVERY
Class 9 Heavy Freight Locomotive
Released: 1973
92166 B.R. Black
Class 9F Locomotive
Released: 1982 1983
92200 B.R. Black
Class 9F Locomotive
Released: 1990 1991 1992
92207 B.R. Black
Class 9F Locomotive
Released: 1996
92231 B.R. Black
Class 9F Locomotive
Released: 1997
92001 B.R. Black
Class 9F Locomotive
Released: 1998
92212 B.R. Black
Class 9F Locomotive
Released: 2000 2001
92158 B.R. Black
Class 9F Locomotive
Released: 2002 2003 2004
92156 B.R. Black
Class 9F Locomotive
Released: 2009r 2010r 2011r
None B.R. Black
Class 9F Locomotive (Weathered)
Released: 2001
92151 B.R. Black
Class 9F Locomotive (Weathered)
Released: 2002 2003
92134 B.R. Black
Class 9F Locomotive (Weathered)
Released: 2002 2003 2004
92239 B.R. Black
Class 9F Locomotive - Evening Star 92220 B.R. Green
Class 9F Locomotive - Evening Star
Released: 2008r 2009r 2010r 2011r
92220 B.R. Green
Class 9F Locomotive - Evening Star - Fortieth Anniversary 1960-2000
Released: 2000 2001
92220 B.R. Green

Class 9F Images (15)

Class 9 Heavy Freight Locomotive
Class 9 Heavy Freight Locomotive 92166

Class 9F Locomotive
Class 9F Locomotive 92200

Class 9F Locomotive
Class 9F Locomotive 92207

Class 9F Locomotive
Class 9F Locomotive 92231

Class 9F Locomotive
Class 9F Locomotive 92001

Class 9F Locomotive
Class 9F Locomotive 92212

Class 9F Locomotive
Class 9F Locomotive 92158

Class 9F Locomotive
Class 9F Locomotive 92156

Class 9F Locomotive
Class 9F Locomotive None

Class 9F Locomotive (Weathered)
Class 9F Locomotive (Weathered) 92151

Class 9F Locomotive (Weathered)
Class 9F Locomotive (Weathered) 92134

Class 9F Locomotive (Weathered)
Class 9F Locomotive (Weathered) 92239

Class 9F Locomotive - Evening Star
Class 9F Locomotive - Evening Star 92220

Class 9F Locomotive - Evening Star
Class 9F Locomotive - Evening Star 92220

Class 9F Locomotive - Evening Star - Fortieth Anniversary 1960-2000
Class 9F Locomotive - Evening Star - Fortieth Anniversary 1960-2000 92220


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Database

11,328 yearly Items over 57 Years.
4,069 individual Items.
3,707 Models.
362 catalogued Train Sets.
156 Train Packs.
820 Steam Locomotives.
497 Diesel Locomotives.
1,082 Passenger Coaches.
1,152 Freight Wagons.


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