Description
Prototype
The British Railways BR Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 was introduced from 1954, with a total of 251 built at BR’s Swindon Works (53) and Crewe Works (198). Designed by Robert Riddles, the 9F is just one of Riddles’ BR Standard designs, with different Classes designed for specific duties with the vision that such standardisation would bring improved efficiencies to BR operations. The Class was designed primarily to haul fast, heavy freight trains, but the 9Fs also found favour on passenger turns, in particular summer holiday specials when their lack of steam heating capabilities did not present a problem.
Impressive in both size and performance, the 9Fs’ lives were cut shockingly short with No. 92220 ‘Evening Star’ – the 999th BR Standard to be built and the final steam locomotive outshopped by British Railways – entering traffic in 1960, only 4 years before the first examples were withdrawn. ‘Evening Star’ itself did not fare much better and was withdrawn in March 1965 after just 60 months in traffic – thankfully the locomotive was saved for the National Collection.
Despite the early withdrawals, some 9Fs continued in traffic until the final months of steam on British Rail and the last was withdrawn in June 1968. In addition to ‘Evening Star’, eight further 9Fs were purchased by the preservation movement, mainly from the Woodham Brothers Scrapyard in Barry, but so far only six have been returned to serviceable condition in the preservation era.
Model
The Bachmann Branchline OO scale BR Standard Class 9F locomotive is an imposing model and with its high fidelity, exquisite detailing and powerful performance, it is no wonder this is an Award Winning model. With an impressive weight and a presence befitting the strongest of BR’s standard steam locomotive classes, the Branchline 9F is a fine choice to haul prototypical trains on your model railway.
Features
Weathered BR Black (Early Emblem) livery
Coupled to a BR1F Tender
Double Chimney
Removable Coal Load with coal space modelled below
Adjustable Tender Drawbar (two settings)
Accessory Pack
NEM Coupling Pockets
Sprung Buffers
Powerful 5 Pole Motor
Digital Sound Version
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