Family Album 'Sisters'

British Railways modernisation plan flagship locomotive 70000 'Britannia' seen here at Liverpool Street Station ready to take the 'Norfolkman' to Norwich. This picture was taken in 1954, three schoolboys have a prime spot to spot from high up from the parapet above. Photo: D. K. Jones Collection

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Sisters

The twelve British Railways Standard Class Steam Locomotives were designed with as many features in common as possible. The reasoning behind this was economies of manufacture, repair and maintenance. The four Standard designs which could be said to be the most original are the three Pacifics and the 9F, all the other classes being logical developments or cosmetically altered versions of existing proven machines of largely L.M.S origin.

In this first part of the family album are included the engines which have the most in common with 72010 'Hengist'. The class 5, 6, 7, and 9F had almost identical design of cylinders and motion (not counting the Caprotti versions), differing mainly in cylinder bore size and valve lap. The three Pacifics and the class 5 4-6-0 all had 6 ft. 2 in. drivers and the same front bogie. The class 6 and 7 chassis differed in detail only, however 72010 has a later improved chassis as developed for class 8 71000, all subsequent class 6 and 7 Pacifics were to have this type of chassis. The trailing Bissel truck fitted to the class 6 and 7 Pacifics were identical, an improved design using coil rather than leaf springs is fitted to 71000, this type, along with all subsequent class 6 and 7 'Pacifics', was assigned to 72010 'Hengist'. The smoke-box door is identical on classes 5, 6, and 7. The Pacific cabs differ in detail only. All three Pacifics and the 9F have similar design of boiler with wide grate and fire-box with combustion chamber. All three Pacifics have Melesco multi valve regulators in the smoke-box. All the Pacifics and the early members of the class 5's were fitted with chime whistles. Nearly all the 'Pacifics' were named, some of the Southern Region class 5 4-6-0s were named, and one 9F was named.

Historical Notes

It was discovered that the low triangular backplates at rear of cab footplate and rubberized canvas sheeting which formed a weather seal between cab and tender, far from shielding the crew from the elements, was the actual cause of the draughty conditions on Standards. Later builds did away with all this including the second cab grab handle. The later style of cab is fitted to 71000 and 72010's is almost identical. All the cancelled Britannia's and Clan's were due to be fitted with this cab. Some Standards originally fitted with the weather sheeting had it removed along with the triangular backplates and rearmost grab-handles.

Many chime whistles were replaced with ordinary whistles over the years.

The following table sets out the total number of locomotives required to replace all regional types with B.R. Standards.

Total Required

The Optimum Number of Present Types of B.R. Standard Locomotives Required Based on Present Stock of Regional Types. June 1955

Loco Type/Region	E.R./N.E.R.	M.R.	Sc.R.	S.R.	W.R.	Total
Class 8 4-6-2	130	45	5	30	30	240
Class 7 4-6-2	190	90	30	20	200	530
Class 6 4-6-2	230	200	70	110	-	610
Class 5 4-6-0	420	810	400	205	410	2,245
Class 4 4-6-0	420	165	270	25	130	1,010
Class 4 2-6-0	560	750	130	300	220	1,960
Class 3 2-6-0	320	550	550	140	120	1,680
Class 2 2-6-0	70	240	120	120	220	770
Class 4 2-6-4T	300	510	190	85	250	1,335
Class 3 2-6-2T	320	200	30	70	1,180	1,800
Class 2 2-6-2T	220	150	140	320	220	1,050
Class 9 2-10-0	850	1,200	80	10	520	2,660
350 h.p. 0-6-0DE	900	630	330	30	100	2,040
Totals	4,930	5,540	2,345	1,515	3,600	17,930

The above figures have been compiled on the assumption that the 12 types of B.R. Standard steam locomotives and the Diesel Electric Shunting Locomotives would eventually replace all the existing Regional types of steam locomotives on a power classification and wheel arrangement basis. Due to the extension of Electrification and Dieselisation, this will not now be achieved. Note; no class 6 required for Western Region.

Many regional types were built under British Rail, because the schedule for a perceived need was already in place; e.g. on W.R. all the 1500s, and many 84s, 41s, 6959s, 78s, and 70s were B.R. built, just prior to the B.R. Standards, theoretically all would have been in useful service alongside the Standards to the end of the 1980's.

A statistic worth contemplating here is the total, just under 16,000 steam locos to operate the whole system, which includes those due for shopping or routine washout/exam i.e. a small proportion operationally expected not to be available. This at a time when nearly everything went by rail, food, milk, cattle, sheep, race horses, newspapers, mail, grain, cement, steel, ore, coal, aggregates, timber, bricks, slate, retail stock, flowers, commuters, holidaymakers, forces returning from leave, everything, even racing pigeons. Just 50 years ago the bulk of 56 million people's transport needs was served by just 16,000 steam locomotives (plus 2,000 diesel shunters and subruban electrics in South East and the Wirral) and the best rail network in the world. Nowadays, we use millions and it is millions of cars, vans and lorries (U.K. 2002 it was apparently 30 million motor vehicles!).

Locomotives

The table below sets out all the B.R. Standards that were built, their running numbers and lot numbers. An international steel shortage and bringing forward dieselisation led to the cancellation of orders already placed and the orders yet to be placed ending British Railways steam development.

Class	Numbers	Total	Lot No.	Notes
Class 2 2-6-0	78000 - 78009	10	DR.EN.49
	78010 - 78044	35	DR.EN.52
	78045 - 78054	10	DR.EN.70
	78055 - 78064	10	DR.1403
Class 2 2-6-0	77000 - 77004 +
	77010 - 77014	10	SW.LOT.406
	77005 - 77009 +
	77015 - 77019	10	SW.LOT.407
	77020 - 77024	5	SW.LOT.416	CANCELLED
Class 2 2-6-0	76000 - 76019	20	DE.LOT.233
	76020 - 76024	5	DN.EO.395
	76025 - 76034	10	DN.EO.396
	76035 - 76044	10	DN.EO.397
	76045 - 76049	10	DN.EO.401
	76050 - 76052	10	DN.EO.399
	76063 - 76069 +
	76053 - 76062	10	DN.EO.400
	76070 - 76074	5	DN.EO.405
	76075 - 76099	25	DE.LOT.249
	76100 -76114	15	DN.1402
CLASS 4 4-6-0	75000 - 75009	10	SW.LOT.390
	75010 - 75019	10	SW.LOT.391
	75020 - 75029	10	SW.LOT.400
	75030 - 75049	20	SW.LOT.401
	75050 - 75064	15	SW.LOT.408
	75065 - 75079	15	SW.LOT.409
	75080 - 75089	10	SW.LOT.413	CANCELLED
CLASS 5 4-6-0	73000 - 73029	30	DE.LOT.222
	73030 - 73049	20	DE.LOT.230
	73050 - 73074	25	DE.LOT.235
	73075 - 73089	15	DE.LOT.241
	73090 - 73099	10	DE.LOT.245
	73100 - 73109	10	DN.EO.402
	73110 - 73119	10	DN.EO.403
	73120 - 73124	5	DN.EO.404
	73125 - 73154	30	DE.LOT.247	CAPROTTI VALVE GEAR
	73155 - 73171	17	DN.1401
CLASS 6 4-6-2	72000 - 72009	10	DE.LOT.221
	72010 - 72024	15	DE.LOT.242	CANCELLED
CLASS 7 4-6-2	70000 - 70024	25	DE.LOT.220
	70025 - 70044	20	DE.LOT.228
	70045 - 70054	10	DE.LOT.234	PART ORDER
CLASS 8 4-6-2	71000	1	DE.LOT.234	PART ORDER
CLASS 9 2-10-0	92000 - 92019	20	DE.LOT.238	PART ORDER
	92020 - 92029	10	DE.LOT.238	PART ORDER CROSTI BOILER
	92030 - 92086	52	DE.LOT.243
	92087 - 92096	10	SW.LOT.421
	92097 - 92177	80	DE.LOT.246
	92178 - 92202	25	SW.LOT.422
	92203 - 92220	18	SW.LOT.429
	92221 - 92250	30	DE.LOT.260
CLASS 2 2-6-2T	84000 - 84018	20	DE.LOT.229
	84020 - 84029	10	DR.EN 71
CLASS 3 2-6-2T	82000 - 82009	10	SW.LOT.392
	82010 - 82019	10	SW.LOT.393
	82020 - 82029	10	SW.LOT.398
	82030 - 82034	5	SW.LOT.399
	82035 - 82044	10	SW.LOT.410
	82045 - 82054	10	SW.LOT.416	CANCELLED
	82055 - 82062	8	SW.LOT.415	CANCELLED
CLASS 4 2-6-4T	80000 - 80009	10	DE.LOT.224
	80010 - 80053	44	BR.3621.5100.3
	80054 - 80058	5	DE.LOT.231
	80059 - 80068	10	BR.5271
	80069 - 80078	10	BR.5788
	80079 - 80088	10	BR.6166
	80089 - 80105	17	BR.6167
	80106 - 80115	10	DN.EO.398
	80116 - 80124	9	BR.6360
	80125 - 80134	10	BR.6941
	80135 - 80154	20	BR.7739

Tenders

The table below sets out all the B.R. Standard Tenders built, their running numbers and lot numbers. The design of tenders is most important especially the shovel plate and bunker. A well designed shovel plate at the optimum height will ease the work of the fireman and a well designed self trimming bunker will continually present the next shovelful without the fireman resorting to pulling coal forward or dealing with an avalanche of coal spilling out onto the cab floor.

Type	Numbers	Total	Lot No.	Notes
BR 1	759 - 783	25	DE.LOT.220
	784 - 793	10	DE.LOT.221
	794 - 823	30	DE.LOT.222
	849 - 863	15	DE.LOT.228	PART ORDER
	864 - 883	20	DE.LOT.230
BR 1A	844 - 848	5	DE.LOT.228	PART ORDER
BR 1B	969 - 978	10	DE.LOT.238	PART ORDER
	1029 - 1043	15	SW.LOT A206	PART ORDER
	1149 - 1155	7	DE.LOT.243	PART ORDER
	1186 - 1190	5	DE.LOT.242	PART ORDER for new CLANS allocated to new 9F's
	1206 - 1215	10	DE.LOT.241
	1234 - 1250	17	DN.TO.107/108
	1282 - 1291	10	DN.EO.402
	1302 - 1306	5	DN.EO.404
	1307 - 1309	3	DE.LOT.246	PART ORDER
	1413 - 1422	20	DE.LOT.247	PART ORDER
	1433 - 1442	10	DE.LOT.247
	1433 - 1442	17	DN.LOT.1401
BR 1C	964 - 968	5	DE.LOT.238	PART ORDER
	1004 - 1013	10	DE.LOT.235	PART ORDER
	1134 - 1148	25	DE.LOT.243	PART ORDER
	1166 - 1175	10	DE.LOT243
	1191 - 1200	10	DE.LOT.242	PART ORDER Clan tenders reallocated to 9F's
	1201 - 1205	5	DE.LOT.241	PART ORDER
	1272 - 1281	10	DE.LOT.245
	1310 - 1349	55	DE.LOT.246
	1360 - 1374	15	DE.LOT.246
	1423 - 1432	10	DE.LOT.247
BR 1D	979 - 988	10	DE.LOT.234	PART ORDER
BR 1E	1271	1	DE.LOT.234	PART ORDER
BR 1F	959 - 963	5	DE.LOT.238	PART ORDER
	1119 - 1133	25	DE.LOT.243	PART ORDER
	1156 - 1165	25	DE.LOT.243	PART ORDER
	1176 - 1185	10	SW.LOT A210
	1292 - 1301	10	DN.EO.403
	1350 - 1359	10	DE.LOT.246
	1378 - 1387	10	DE.LOT.246
	1388 - 1412	25	SW.LOT.422
BR 1G	949 - 958	10	DE.LOT.238	PART ORDER
	1532 - 1561	30	DE.LOT.260
	1510 - 1527	18	SW.LOT.429
BR 1H	992 - 1003	10	DE.LOT 235	PART ORDER
BR 1J	1528	1	DE.LOT.246	PART ORDER
BR 1K	1375 - 1377	3	DE.LOT.246	PART ORDER 'BERKELEY' mechanical stoker
BR 2	824 - 833	10	SW.LOT.390
	834 - 843	10	SW.LOT.391
	884 - 893	10	SW.LOT.400
	894 - 913	20	SW.LOT.401
	914 - 918	5	DE.LOT.233
	919 - 933	15	DE.LOT.233
	934 - 938	5	DN.TO.103
	1044 - 1053	10	DN.TO.104
	1054 - 1063	10	DN.TO.105
BR 2A	1014 - 1028	15	SW.LOT.408
	1064 - 1068	5	SW.LOT.406	PART ORDER
	1069 - 1073	5	SW.LOT.406	PART ORDER
	1074 - 1078	5	SW.LOT.406	PART ORDER
	1079 - 1083	5	SW.LOT.407	PART ORDER
	1216 - 1225	10	SW.LOT A208	ORDER CANCELLED
	1226 - 1230	5	DN.TO.110
	1231 - 1233	3	DN.TO.106
	1251 - 1255	5	DN.TO.109
	1256 - 1260	5	SW.LOT A209	ORDER CANCELLED
	1460 - 1484	25	DE.LOT.249
	1485 - 1499	15	DN.1402
BR 3	939 - 948	10	DR.EN.49
	1084 - 1118	35	DR.EN.52
	1261 - 1270	10	DR.EN.70
	1500 - 1509	10	DR.EN.1403

Standard Locomotive Boilers

The table below sets out all the B.R. Standard Boilers. The 3 Pacifics and 9F had similar wide grate boilers with combustion chambers, designed to be highly efficient on any grade of coal. The two class 3 engines used a development of the Western Region ex GWR Number 2 boiler. The class 2 2-6-0/2-6-2T and class 4 2-6-0 have virtual carbon copies of the Midland Region ex LMS Ivatt designs, and the class 4 4-6-0 and class 4 2-6-4T have almost identical boilers developed from the Stanier/Fairburn tanks. The single boilers and short runs numbered in the lists were built as spares, to speed up overhauls boilers were rotated amongst the class, except for 71000 each class had at least one more boiler than engines. These spares were not made at same time as the initial loco batch as it would be years before first major boiler overhauls. As locos came in for heavy repair the boiler it was carrying would be swapped out for the boiler removed from a classmate in for repair a few weeks earlier which in the meantime had been made good.

Boiler	Loco	Boiler Numbers	Notes
Type 1	Class 7 4-6-2	801 - 825, 961 - 963, 973 - 992,
		1158 - 1167, 1365 - 1366, 1904
Type 2	Class 6 4-6-2	826 - 835, 964
		1477 - 1491	BOILERS CANCELLED
Type 3	Class 5 4-6-0	836 - 865, 965 - 966, 993 - 1012,
		1168 - 1192, 1367, 1492 - 1506,
		1606, 1609 - 1643, 1750 - 1796,
		1871, 1897 - 1898, 1905 - 1906,
		1909 - 1911
Type 4	Class 4 4-6-0	866 - 885, 1013 - 1042, 1193 - 1222
		1370 - 1374, 1595 - 1597,
		1507 - 1516	BOILERS CANCELLED
Type 5	Class 4 2-6-0	886 - 939, 967, 1078 - 1092
		1298 - 1344, 1368, 1562 - 1576
		1598 - 1599, 1607 - 1608, 1847 - 1870
		1872, 1942
Type 6	Class 3 2-6-0/2-6-2T	940-959, 1093-1107, 1243-1262
		1345-1354, 1375-1379, 1873, 1948
		1547 - 1551, 1577 - 1594	BOILERS CANCELLED
Type 7	Class 4 2-6-4T	1043 - 1067, 1223 - 1242, 1515 - 1546,
		1600, 1604 - 1605, 1797 - 1836,
		1874, 1899 - 1900, 1943
Type 8	Class 2 2-6-0/2-6-2T	1068 - 1077, 1108 - 1127, 1263 - 1297,
		1355 - 1364, 1369, 1552 - 1561,
		1601 - 1602, 1837 - 1846, 1875, 1949
Type 9	Class 9 2-10-0	1128 - 1147, 1410 - 1476, 1644 - 1749,
		1876 - 1877, 1879 - 1896, 1901 - 1902
		1907 - 1908, 1912 - 1941, 1944 - 1947,
		1950 - 1951
Type 12	Class 9 2-10-0	1148 - 1157, 1903	These are CROSTI BOILERS
Type 13	Class 8 4-6-2	1603

How You Can Help Build 'Hengist'

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