LMS Stanier Class 8F 8233
| LMS 8233 | |
|---|---|
|
48773 on display inside the Engine House on the Severn Valley Railway. | |
| Type and origin | |
| Power type | Steam |
| Designer | William Stanier |
| Builder | North British Locomotive Company |
| Serial number | 24607 |
| Build date | 1940 |
| Specifications | |
| Configuration | 2-8-0 |
| UIC classification | 1′D h2 |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Leading wheel diameter | 3 ft 3 1⁄2 in (1.003 m) |
| Driver diameter | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1.435 m) |
| Length | 63 ft 0 1⁄2 in (19.22 m) |
| Locomotive weight | 72.10 long tons (73.26 t; 80.75 short tons) |
| Fuel type | Coal |
| Fuel capacity | 9 long tons (9.1 t; 10.1 short tons) |
| Water capacity | 4,000 imp gal (18,000 l; 4,800 US gal) |
| Boiler | LMS type 3C |
| Boiler pressure | 225 lbf/in2 (1.55 MPa) |
| Firegrate area | 28 1⁄2 sq ft (2.65 m2) |
| Cylinders | Two, outside |
| Cylinder size | 18 1⁄2 in × 28 in (470 mm × 711 mm) |
| Valve gear | Walschaerts |
| Valve type | Piston valves |
| Performance figures | |
| Tractive effort | 32,440 lbf (144.30 kN) |
| Career | |
| Operator(s) |
|
| Power class | LMS & BR: 7F, later 8F |
| Number(s) |
|
| Axle load class | Route Availability 6 |
| Withdrawn | 4 August 1968 |
| Current owner | The Stanier 8F Locomotive Society |
| Disposition | Static Display |
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LMS Stanier Class 8F No. 8233, War Department Nos. 307, and later 70307, Iranian State Railways No. 41-109, Longmoor Military Railway 500, British Railways No. 48773, is a preserved British steam locomotive. Its owners claim that it is "possibly Britain's most travelled preserved locomotive".
Construction and use by the LMS
8233 was originally built in 1940 by the North British Locomotive Company of Glasgow, Works No. 24607 on the orders of the War Department, which had adopted the LMS Stanier Class 8F as its own standard. However, the Fall of France saw that it was not sent to mainland Europe with the British Expeditionary Force, as originally intended. Instead, it became LMS No. 8233 and was based out of Toton, Holbeck and Westhouses sheds.
Export
In 1941, No. 8233 was requisitoned by the War Department and sent to Persia (Iran), becoming Iranian State Railways No. 41-109, during which time, it derailed following a collision with a camel. In 1944, it was converted to oil-firing. In 1948 it was at Suez, needing a new firebox, and was almost scrapped, but was then returned to England in 1952 and overhauled at Derby Works. In 1954, the engine was not needed in the Middle East and went instead to the Longmoor Military Railway as WD. No. 500.
British Rail and withdrawal
In 1957, No. 500 was taken into British Railways stock as No. 48773. It was allocated initially to Polmadie, and was withdrawn from there in 1962. However, it was reinstated the next year and transferred to Carlisle Kingmoor. It was then transferred to Stockport (Edgeley) and Buxton (though perhaps only on paper), and then to Bolton in September 1964. With the end of steam looming, steam made its last stand in the North West, with No. 48773 being transferred to Rose Grove in July 1968. It worked its last main line train on 4 August 1968.
Preservation
In 1968 it was the subject of a late appeal to purchase it for preservation, it was then restored on the Severn Valley Railway. In 1975, it took part in the Shildon cavalcade as part of the 150 anniversary of Stockton and Darlington Railway. As of January 2014 it is on display in the Engine House, awaiting overhaul.
In 1977 it was featured in the original BBC 1 drama Survivors.
References
- Rowledge, J.W.P. (1975). Engines of the LMS built 1923–51. Oxford: Oxford Publishing Company. ISBN 0-902888-59-5.
External links
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