LMS Stanier Class 8F 8233

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".

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: ​  • Whyte 2-8-0  • UIC 1′D h2 Gauge 4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Leading dia. 3 ft 3 ^1⁄2 in (1.003 m) Driver dia. 4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in (1.435 m) Length 63 ft 0 ^1⁄2 in (19.22 m) Loco 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 cap 4,000 imp gal (18,000 l; 4,800 US gal) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 28 ^1⁄2 sq ft (2.65 m^2) Boiler LMS type 3C Boiler pressure 225 lbf/in^2 (1.55 MPa) 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 Operators London, Midland and Scottish Railway → War Department → Iranian State Railways → Longmoor Military Railway → British Railways Power class LMS & BR: 7F, later 8F Numbers LMS: 8233 WD: 307 ISR: 41-109 LMR: 500 BR: 48773 Axle load class Route Availability 6 Withdrawn 4 August 1968 Current owner The Stanier 8F Locomotive Society[1] Disposition Static Display

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 requisitioned 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 (66A), and was withdrawn from there in 1962. However, it was reinstated in 1963 and transferred to Carlisle Kingmoor (12A). It was then transferred to Stockport (Edgeley, 9B) and Buxton (9L, though perhaps only on paper), and then to Bolton (9K) in September 1964. With the end of steam approaching, No. 48773 was transferred to the North West, moving to Rose Grove (10F) in July 1968. It worked its last main line train on 4 August 1968.

During its last few years of service, No. 48773 had a diagonal yellow stripe painted on its cab side to indicate it was unable to operate south of Crewe as its top-feed was deemed to be out of gauge under the new 25 kV AC overhead electrification. However, as the locomotive's original War Department top-feed had been replaced by one of LMS pattern, enthusiasts have stated the cabside stripe was unnecessary since it would have in fact been within the loading gauge.

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.

Now retired from a long faithful service, the loco will require a heavy overhaul, including mechanical and boiler work. It is thought she will need new tires and new inner firebox at least to start with.

References

1. The Stanier 8F Locomotive Society

• Rowledge, J.W.P. (1975). Engines of the LMS built 1923–51. Oxford: Oxford Publishing Company. ISBN 0-902888-59-5.

External links

• The Stanier 8F Locomotive Society