The BR standard Class 9F 2-10-0 locomotives were the last steam locomotive design built by British Railways. 251 locomotives were built, numbered 92000-92250. Many lasted only a few years in service before withdrawal as steam traction was ended on the mainline in Britain.
Background
On nationalisation in 1948, British Railways had a number of heavy freight locmotives that had been built to aid the war effort. It had 666 LMS 8F class 2-8-0, numerous WD Austerity 2-8-0s and WD Austerity 2-10-0s . Heavy freight locomotives were thus not a priority.
The original proposal was for a boiler from a pacific giving a 2-8-2, however it is thought that R.A. Riddles preferred the 2-10-0 arrangement, as used on his Austerity 2-10-0s. The firebox was a slightly modified shape as a result. The 4'81/2" driving wheels lacked flanges on the centre axle and had reduced ones on the second and fourth.
The 9F turned out to be the best of the standard designs and suprisingly was also good at running on passenger trains.
Evening Star
In 1960, 92220 Evening Star became the last steam locomotive to be built by British Railways.
Preservation
Nine 9Fs have survived, including Evening Star, these being 92134 92203 92207 92212 92214 92219 92220
