A Star From The East

The Class 9F 2-10-0 locomotives were designed by Robert Riddles and constructed from January 1954 to March 1960 at British Railways’ Crewe and Swindon Works. Two hundred and fifty one 9Fs were built. The 9F was one of the most powerful steam locomotives produced by BR and was intended for fast, heavy long distance freight. The 9Fs were designed to be capable of hauling trains of up to 914 tonnes at 35 mph with maximum fuel efficiency.

Riddles 9F locomotives were the last of the BR Standard Class steam locomotives and designed to have service lives of 30 years being the last of their kind before dieselsation and electrification. Class 9Fs were unnamed apart from the 999th BR Standard to be constructed and was named ‘Evening Star’. This locomotive was to work passenger trains with great success throughout the 1950s and its name was chosen from suggestions gathered by a BR Western Region competition with the naming ceremony taking place at the Swindon Locomotive Works on the 18^th March 1960.

The first Hornby 9F model was produced by Tri-ang Hornby in 1971. Over the years the original 9F model has been changed, modified and improved, however to keep pace with the demands of today’s modeller it was decided to retire the old and bring in the new.

The 9F project has been steadily progressing throughout this year.

These images can be compared to the current December sample:

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Alongside renders seen in the Engine Shed in March was the first stereo 3D printed sample of a generic 9F:

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January began with the announcement of a totally new 9F, plus a new LNER Class P2 as well as engineering samples of the new 88DS locomotives. Also shown were CAD images of the MK4 Coaches, Mark 4 DVT and were scans and images of the 4/6 Wheeled Coaches together with the Maunsell Dining Saloons.

February showcased further progress of the MK4 DVT and Mk4 Coaches, plus the Gangwayed Bogie Luggage Vans and the Class 9F. Also shown in February were images of the new Pecket variants.

March began with coverage of the new Hornby APT together with renders of the 9F, plus images of the Photographic Grey Gresley LNER W1.

Come April production samples were shown of No. 35011 and 35016 ‘Merchant Navy’ Class locomotives, Terriers, the Ruston & Hornsby 48DS locomotives, Class 31s, and to finish with, Sentinels.

May contained the latest LNER Class P2 renders, while June saw the first physical samples of the new Mk4s and the reintroduction of the ‘Clan’ Class. For July the P2 renders were highlighted along with variants of the W1 models.

In August we showcased the Maunsell Dining Saloon Engineering Samples as well as decoration samples of the long awaited LNER Class 800 Azuma, together with decoration samples of the stunning Class 91.

September featured the new Class A1/A3 with the diecast footplate, while October’s Engine Shed showed decorated Maunsell Dining Saloons and the latest Mk 4 Coaches.

The November Engine Shed provided the opportunity for us to show off the A1/A3s again where we highlighted once more the diecast footplate and the Flickering Firebox.

R3873 BR Class 370 Advanced Passenger Train Sets 370 003 and 370 004 5-car pack - Era 7

R3874 BR Class 370 Advanced Passenger Train Set 370 001 and 370 002 7-car pack - Era 7

R30009 London Carriers International, Sentinel, 0-4-0, 'Jean' - Era 8

R30010 Hitachi, Sentinel, 0-4-0, 'Chiaki Ueda' - Era 11

R40033 FGW, Mk3 Trailer Standard Disabled (TSD), Coach C, 42012 - Era 10

• R40034 FGW, Mk3 Trailer Guard Standard (TGS), Coach A, 44004 - Era 10
• R40035 FGW, Mk3 Buffet (TRFB), Coach F, 40204 - Era 10
• R40036 FGW, Mk3 Trailer First Open (TFO), Coach G, 41010 - Era 10
• R40036A FGW, Mk3 Trailer First Open (TFO), Coach H, 41009 - Era 10
• R40037 FGW, Mk3 Trailer Standard Open, Coach B, 42014 - Era 10
• R40037A FGW, Mk3 Trailer Standard Open (TSO), Coach D, 42360 - Era 10
• R40037B FGW, Mk3 Trailer Standard Open (TSO), Coach E, 42013 - Era 10