LMS Route: Berkswell to Kenilworth Junction

Kenilworth Junction: lnwrkj3122

Ex-LMS 8F 2-8-0 No 48751 heads a Type 8 working from the North Warwickshire coalfields past Kenilworth Junction on 18th July 1965. Designed by William Stanier (later Sir William Stanier) as the LMS' modern heavy freight locomotive, some 852 were built between 1935 and 1946 and as with the example above not all were built to LMS order. In essence it was a freight version of William Stanier's successful mixed traffic 4-6-0 Class Five designed known colloquially as a 'Black 5'. On the outbreak of the Second World War, the design was chosen to become the country's standard freight design, reprising the role the GCR Class 8K had in the First World War consequently the class saw extensive service overseas during and after the Second World War. The War Department had 208 8Fs built by Beyer Peacock and North British Locomotive Company and requisitioned 51 more. Production of the WD version continued until 1943, when the cheaper WD Austerity 2-8-0 was introduced, whereas production for domestic use continued until 1946. Built as LMS No 8751 by Darlington Plant (LNER Works No 1988) in September 1946 No 48751 was to remain in service until February 1967 when it was withdrawn from 9B Stockport shed to be scrapped by Drapers of Hull.

Barry Hickman

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