R3988 BR Class 9F No.92220 Evening Star

The BR Standard class 9F, designed by Robert Riddles, was a 2-10-0 steam locomotive intended to be used for long distance freight. Capable of speeds of up to 90 miles per hour, the class proved highly versatile and 9Fs were even used to haul passenger trains in the 1950s.

'Evening Star' was built at Swindon Works in 1960 and was the last steam locomotive to be built by British Railways, and the 999th BR standard class locomotive. No. 92220's life was special from the beginning, with a naming ceremony taking place in March 1960. 'Evening Star' was the only 9F to be named by BR and the only 9F to receive a lined green passenger express livery. The name 'Evening Star' was chosen following a competition held by the BR Western Region Staff Magazine. The locomotive was withdrawn from service in 1965 after just five short years, and stored at Severn Tunnel Junction Marshalling Yard, after incurring minor damage in a shunting accident at Cardiff Docks.

In preservation 'Evening Star' became part of the national collection and after the completion of the National Railway Museum was based at York, occasionally operating on the mainline and visiting heritage lines. Although 'Evening Star' has moved around in recent years such as returning to its birthplace, Swindon in 2008, the locomotive can currently be found on static display at the NRM in York.

This model depicts 'Evening Star' as the locomotive would have been when withdrawn from British Railways service in 1965.