Locomotive Class

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 In fact, as steam locomotives were increasingly being withdrawn the class was frequently called-up for Enthusiast Specials.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 Released: 1971 1972 1973 1973c 1974 1975 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1988 1989 1990 1991	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