LMS Route: Nuneaton to Birmingham New Street

LMS Route: Birmingham New Street to Tamworth

Saltley Shed: mrsalt1239

British Railways Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 No 92204 is seen broadside on within the realms of Saltley shed's No 3 roundhouse. Built in April 1959 by Swindon works No 92204 was one of the last class to be built and remained in service until December 1967 when it was withdrawn from 8C Speke shed. The Standard Class 9F was the last in a series of standardised locomotive classes designed during the 1950s for British Railways by Robert Riddles. It was intended for use on fast, heavy freight trains over long distances. It was one of the most powerful steam locomotive types ever constructed in Britain, and successfully performed its intended duties. The class earned a nickname of 'Spaceships', due to its size and shape. At various times during the 1950s the 9Fs worked passenger trains with great success, indicating the versatility of the design, sometimes considered to represent the ultimate in British steam development. Several experimental variants were constructed in an effort to reduce costs and maintenance, although these met with varying degrees of success. The total number built was 251 with production being shared between Swindon who built 53 members of the class and Crewe Works who built 198 locomotives. The last of the class to be built in 1960 was No 92220 Evening Star which was also the final steam locomotive to be built by British Railways, hence its name. 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 No 92220 Evening Star.

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