Working Steam: Stanier 8Fs
£14.99
Stock type: -
Stock reference: 33.190
£14.99
Stock type: -
Stock reference: 33.190
Sir William Stanier of the LMS produced express steam locomotives which were masterpieces, a most efficient mixed-traffic design and the powerful 8F 2-8-0. Enthusiasts knew them as Stanier 8Fs, or sometimes Consolidations or Consols, after their wheel configuration.
First introduced in 1935 the design caught the eye of the Railway Executive Committe (REC) when freight locomotives were required in large numbers to supply British forces overseas. LMS locomotives found themselves being handed over by the REC for military service overseas, and a variety of workshops were tasked with building more of them. A version of the 8F was produced especially for the WD, but in time of war was judged to use too much precious man time to produce and too much material which was in short supply. Consequently a new design of 2-8-0 evolved from the 8Fs, the WD Austerity 2-8-0s (which are outside of the scope of this book). The Stanier 8Fs saw war service in, among other places, Egypt and Persia.
Post-war most of the locomotives returned to Britain and entered service with BR, lasting until the end of steam. Some examples of 8Fs were rescued for preservation and can still be seen today, including LMS 8233 which had seen war service in Persia (Iran).
Jeff Ryan, David Macintosh & George Moon
Hardback. 184x240mm. 80 pages
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