BR Standard Class 9F

John Dyer photographed a number of 9Fs, mostly on the Wirral. The John Summers iron ore trains between Bidston dock and the steelworks on Deeside were in the hands of these engines, that were shedded at Bidston and later at Birkenhead. Towards the end of steam, large numbers of the class could be found on a Sunday morning at Mollington Street.

Generally regarded as a popular and successful Robert Riddles design for moving heavy freight trains, there were 251 in the class, which was introduced in 1954. They were built at Swindon and Crewe, culminating in No. 92220, the last steam locomotive constructed by BR, which was turned out in 1960 and named Evening Star. They were also some of the last steam locos to be withdrawn, lasting until 1968, and 9 examples have survived.

Included here from John Dyer’s collection are No. 92028 at Bidston dock in February 1962, No. 92045 at Bidston in August 1962, No. 92046 at Bidston sheds on 16/4/61, No. 92107 at Chester on 28/8/65, No. 92165 at Chester on the same day, No. 92166 at Storeton, also on 28/8/65 and the same loco on Bidston sheds on 5/8/62.

 

BR’s WD 2-10-0s

In addition to the hundreds of 2-8-0s, BR also had some Austerity 2-10-0s of similar design. They were designed by Robert Riddles in 1943 and built by the North British Locomotive Company between 1943 and 1945. BR took 25 after the war, during which they found work in France and the Middle East. Greece, Syria and the Netherlands also ran them after the conflict was over.

This section of my 1962 combine volume is unmarked territory, as these locos were largely Scottish-based and beyond my reach, although 8 have survived in total of which No. 600 Gordon, preserved at the Severn Valley Railway is the best-known of the 3 UK examples. John Dyer photographed No. 90763 at Birkenhead sheds on 6/5/60.  

Jayne on her metal

I was just in time to catch “Shed” No. 66708 Jayne heading the Immingham to Mantle Lane metals this morning. GB Railfreight probably have a reason behind the naming, which has been carried since 2011, apparently. It’s a strong yet feminine name, with or without a “y”. I’m sure she winked her lights at me as she passed. It must have been my lycra cycling shorts.

  

BR’s WD Austerity 2-8-0s

These locos were formerly War Department stock. Almost all had seen service overseas. They were designed by Robert Riddles in 1943 and based on the LMS Stanier Class 8F. 935 engines were constructed, in total. The last in the class of the 733 locos that were bought by the LNER and the Transport Commission after World War Two before being taken into BR ownership, was named Vulcan after Vulcan Foundry, where many of the class had been built. One additional survivor, later renumbered as the next in the class, No. 90733, was repatriated from Sweden and is based at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.

John Dyer photographed various members of the class at work in the 1960s. No. 90010 was at Bidston sheds on 5/8/62, No. 90086 was entering York station on 12/4/62, No. 90094 was at Farnley Junction sheds on 12/8/62, No. 90187 was at Birkenhead sheds on 6/5/60, No. 90466 was taking a freight through Swindon station on 22/8/61 and No. 90620 was swinging off the old L&Y lines and into Preston station on 15/7/64.

BR Standard 2-6-2 tanks

Introduced in 1953, designed at Derby by Robert Riddles and based on the LMS Ivatt Class 2T, there were 30 in the class. They were built at Crewe and Darlington between 1953 and 1957. They were all gone by 1966 and none were preserved, although there is a new build, No. 84030, underway at the Bluebell Railway. John Dyer photographed No. 84001 passing Birkenhead sheds on 20/2/61 and the same engine at Bidston in 1957. No. 84003 was at Hooton on 5/9/60 [two shots] and No. 84029 at Southampton Central on 28/8/61.

 

A Class 70 puts in an appearance

I should be grateful for some variety and especially if it’s a loco’ I haven’t seen before, but, well, they’re not very pretty, are they? In terms of diesel loco’ designs they must be quite a way down the list, along with the Class 58s and the Clayton Class 17s. At the top, I think I’ll have Westerns, Warships and Deltics in that order, and today, surely, 68 and 88 are way ahead of the field? No. 70809 was light engine this morning between Staythorpe and Rolleston on a Doncaster to Nottingham Eastcroft working.

 

BR Standard Class 3 2-6-2 tanks

There were 45 of these Robert Riddles, Swindon designed tanks. They were introduced in 1952 and all were constructed at Swindon. The last examples were withdrawn in 1967 and none were preserved. However, a new build, No. 82045, is under construction at the Severn Valley Railway. John Dyer photographed the following examples of the class – No. 82013 at Exeter St David’s on 23/4/60, No. 82020 at Bidston sheds in April 1959, No. 82031 at Neston North in February 1959, No. 82034 at Machynlleth sheds on 24/6/61 and No. 82034 at Hooton on 5/9/60.