| BR Standard Class 9F 92220 Evening Star | |
|---|---|
| 92220 Evening Star at Bolton Percy 14 August 1983 | |
| Power type | Steam |
| Designer | R.A. Riddles |
| Builder | Swindon Works |
| Build date | February 1960 |
| Configuration | 2-10-0 |
| UIC classification | 1′E h2 |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Wheel diameter | 5 ft 0 in (1.524 m) |
| Length | 66ft 2in overall |
| Locomotive weight | 86 tons 14 cwt (194,200 lb or 88.1 t) |
| Tender type | BR1G |
| Fuel capacity | 9 tons 0 cwt (20,200 lb or 9.2 t) |
| Water capacity | 4,725 imp gal (21,480 l; 5,674 US gal) |
| Boiler pressure | 250 lbf/in² (1.72 MPa) |
| Cylinders | Two, outside |
| Cylinder size | 20 × 28 in (508 × 711 mm) |
| Tractive effort | 39,667 lbf |
| Career | British Railways |
| Class | 9F |
| Locale | Western Region of British Railways |
| Withdrawn | March 1965 |
| Current owner | National Collection |
British Railways Standard Class 9F number 92220 Evening Star, is a preserved British steam locomotive completed in 1960. It was the last steam locomotive to be built by British Railways. It holds the distinction of being the only British main line steam locomotive ear-marked for preservation from the date of construction.[1] It was the 999th locomotive of the whole British Railways Standard range.[2]
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Evening Star was built at Swindon railway works in 1960. Though the last to be built, it was not the last 9F numerically as Crewe had already completed engines with higher numbers.[3] It was equipped with a BR1G-type tender[4] and given BR Brunswick green livery, normally reserved for passenger locomotives, and was completed with a copper-capped double chimney.[5] All other members of the class of heavy freight locomotives were painted unlined black.[6] 92220 was the only Class 9F to be named when running with BR, although others have subsequently been named in preservation; the name Evening Star was chosen following a competition run in 1959-60 by the BR Western Region Staff Magazine. There were three competition winners, Driver T.M. Phillips (Aberystwyth), Boilermaker J.S. Sathi (Old Oak Common) and F.L. Pugh (Paddington), who had all suggested Evening Star.[5] This name had been used twice before on GWR locomotives: one of the early Star class broad gauge locomotives built in 1839 was named Morning Star, and a subsequent member of the same class was named Evening Star; and a locomotive of the four-cylinder 4000 class which was built in 1907 was also named Evening Star.[5][7][8] The name was thought to be a fitting end to steam, and was chosen from hundreds of names entered. A special commemorative plate was affixed below the nameplate on the smoke deflectors. The commemorative plate reads:
| No. 92220 built at Swindon March 1960 |
The wooden patterns for this commemorative plate and the engine's name plate were both carved by pattern maker Fred Marsh.
The naming ceremony took place on the morning of 18 March 1960 in the former Great Western Railway works at Swindon, Wiltshire, UK, where the locomotive was built. A speech was given by R.F.Hanks in which he began by saying, "There had to be a last steam locomotive, and it is a tremendous thing that that last steam locomotive should be built here in these great works at Swindon." After acknowledging the fine craftsmanship of the workers, he went on to say:
"I am sure it has been truly said that no other product of man's mind has ever exercised such a compelling hold upon the public's imagination as the steam locomotive. No other machine in its day has been a more faithful friend to mankind nor has contributed more to the growth of industry in this the land of its birth and indeed throughout the whole world... Those who have lived in the steam age of railways will carry the most nostalgic memories right to the end."[9]
The loco was then named by Keith Grand of the British Transport Commission, by the unveiling of the nameplate, lettered in the Great Western style. "Ladies & Gentlemen, I now unveil this locomotive (curtains draw back) "and christen it the Evening Star."
92220 was used over the Western Region and over the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway line. On 16 July 1962 and 18 July 1962 the locomotive was photographed at Gloucester Barnwood shed yard[10] and on 8 September 1962 it hauled the last Pines Express over S&DJR metals. It was recorded hauling passenger express trains at over 90 mph (140 km/h).[11] 92220 was withdrawn in 1965, after a working life of only five years but was subsequently preserved as part of the National Collection.
Although steamed since retirement from BR, Evening Star has been a static exhibit at the National Railway Museum,[11] York for many years. She is one of nine surviving 9Fs.
After a brief period displayed at the "Locomotion" museum at Shildon, County Durham, the engine returned to its birthplace, Swindon Works, on 3 September 2008. Evening Star is to be exhibited for two years at the Swindon 'Steam' Railway Museum, during which period the GWR locomotive King George V will take its place in York.
A British Rail Class 90 electric locomotive, operated by National Express East Anglia, was given the name 'The Evening Star' in a ceremony at Ipswich railway station on 23 July 2010. The name commemorates the 125th anniversary of the publication of the Ipswich-based Evening Star newspaper.[12]