Graham Farish to launch 9F 2-10-0 locomotive
Date: 24 January 2007
Source: Graham Farish
Bachmann Europe today (24th January) announced that it was adding a British Railways Standard 9F 2-10-0 locomotive to its Graham Farish N gauge range. This follows on from the high successful launch last year of the Bachmann Branchline OO version. 251 locomotives were ordered by British Railways, 198 of them built at Crewe and 53 at Swindon. Design work began in the summer of 1951, with the first locomotive entering traffic in January 1954. Following publication of the British Railways Modernisation Plan in 1955 and the proposals to replace steam locomotives with diesel and electric traction, the 9Fs were the last steam locomotives to be built for British Railways. No. 92250 was the last locomotive to be built at Crewe in December 1958 and 92220 Evening Star was the very last steam locomotive to be built for British Railways emerging from Swindon on 18th March 1960. In keeping with Swindon tradition it was painted in lined green livery, complete with copper capped chimney for which Swindon locomotives were recognised the world over. The other 250 locomotives were painted in plain black. There were many variations in the class. Five different tender types were allocated to the fleet, whilst 74 of the class were fitted with double chimneys. The most powerful freight locomotives to run on British Railways, the class were allocated far and wide. Allocated to all regions with the exception of the Southern Region they nonetheless made frequent appearances on the block oil train workings from Fawley (near Southampton) to the North. They could also be seen on workings from all the major coalfields to towns and cities and on steel trains around Shotton and South Wales. In the North East they became synonymous with the haulage of iron ore from Tyne Dock to the steel works at Consett. During the summer months the 9Fs were often called into work passenger trains. Perhaps their finest passenger work is associated with the Somerset & Dorset line between Bath Green Park and Bournemouth over the torturous Mendip Hills. It was to this line; closed 40 years ago in 1966 that No. 92220 Evening Star was allocated to the route from new. It was this locomotive that worked the last ever Pines Express on 8th September 1962. The first 9Fs were withdrawn in May 1964 and the last in June 1968, two months before the end of standard gauge steam on British Rail. Fortunately nine locomotives were preserved of which No. 92220 Evening Star remains part of the National Collection at York and No. 92203 now named Black Prince and owned by artist David Shepherd are the best known. Three models will be produced initially including 92002 with early emblem and BR1G tender (372-426), 92205 with late crest and BR1G tender in weathered condition (372-427) and the popular green liveried locomotive 92220 Evening Star (377-425). Recommended retail price will be £109.95 with the weathered locomotive costing £115.15.
GF 2007-010
