Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 92212

 Loco Information

The British Railways Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 was designed for BR by Robert Riddles. The 9F’s were the last in a series of standardised locomotive classes designed for BR during the 1950s, and was intended for use on fast, heavy freight trains over long distances. It was one of the most powerful locomotive types ever constructed in Britain and successfully performed its intended duties.

At various times during the 1950s, the 9Fs worked passenger trains with great success, indicating the versatility of the design, considered to represent the ultimate in British steam development. Several variants were constructed for experimentation purposes in an effort to reduce costs and maintenance, although these met with varying degrees of success. The total number built was 251, production being shared between Swindon (53) and Crewe Works (198). The last of the class, 92220 Evening Star, was the final steam locomotive to be built by BR, in 1960. Withdrawals began

in 1964, with the final locomotives removed from service in 1968. Several examples have survived into the preservation era in varying states of repair, including Evening Star.

The 9F was designed at both Derby and Brighton Works in 1951 to operate freight trains of up to 900 tons (914 tonnes) at 35 mph (56 km/h) with maximum fuel efficiency. The original proposal was for a boiler from the BR Standard Class 7 Britannia 4-6-2, adapting it to a 2-8-2 wheel arrangement, but Riddles eventually settled upon a 2-10-0 type because it had been successfully utilised on some of his previous Austerity locomotives; distributing the adhesive weight over five axles gave a maximum axle load of only 15 tons, 10 cwt. However, in order to clear the rear coupled wheels the grate had to be set higher, thus reducing firebox volume.

There were many problems associated with locomotives of such a long wheelbase, but these were solved by the design team through a series of compromises. The driving wheels were 5 feet 0 inches (1.5 m) in diameter, and the centre driving wheels were without flanges, whilst those on the second and fourth coupled wheels were reduced in depth. This enabled the locomotive to round curves of a radius as small as 400 feet (120 m). 92212 returns following heavy overhaul and carries the Bath Green Park (82F) shed code where she was based for a short period in 1961. Whilst there she worked over the Somerset & Dorset hauling trains such as the ‘Pines Express’.

92212 is operational and is in full traffic