BR ex-WD Austerity 2-10-0 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids BR ex-WD Austerity 2-10-0
90768 at Motherwell shed in 1958
Power type	Steam
Designer	R. A. Riddles
Builder	North British Locomotive Company
Build date	1943–1945
Total production	25
Configuration	2-10-0
UIC classification	1′E h2
Gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Leading wheel diameter	2 ft 9 in (838 mm)
Driver diameter	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Length	67 ft 6+1⁄4 in (20.58 m) over buffers
Axle load	13 long tons 9 cwt (30,100 lb or 13.7 t)
Weight on drivers	67 long tons 3 cwt (150,400 lb or 68.2 t) full
Locomotive weight	78 long tons 6 cwt (175,400 lb or 79.6 t) full
Tender weight	55 long tons 10 cwt (124,300 lb or 56.4 t) full
Fuel type	Coal
Fuel capacity	9 long tons 0 cwt (20,200 lb or 9.1 t)
Water capacity	5,000 imp gal (23,000 L; 6,000 US gal)
Boiler pressure	225 lbf/in2 (1.55 MPa)
Fire grate area	40 sq ft (3.7 m2)
Heating surface: Tubes	1,170 sq ft (109 m2)
Heating surface: Flues	589 sq ft (54.7 m2)
Heating surface: Firebox	192 sq ft (17.8 m2)
Superheater area	423 sq ft (39.3 m2)
Cylinders	Two, outside
Cylinder size	19 in × 28 in (483 mm × 711 mm)
Valve gear	Walschaerts
Valve type	10-inch (250 mm) piston valves
Tractive effort	34,215 lbf (152.20 kN)
Power class	BR: 8F
Withdrawn	1961-1962
Disposition	All scrapped.

The British Railways (BR) ex-WD Austerity 2-10-0 Class was a group of 25 powerful steam locomotives. These engines were originally built for the War Department during World War II. British Railways bought them in 1948 to help pull heavy trains across the country.

What They Did

British Railways officially added these locomotives to their fleet in 1948. However, most of them were kept in storage until 1949 or 1950 before they started working. They were given numbers from 90750 to 90774.

These locomotives were designed to pull very heavy freight trains. They mostly worked in the Scottish Region, especially from depots in places like Motherwell and Grangemouth. They often worked alongside other similar locomotives called WD 2-8-0s.

The locomotives served for about 12 years. They were taken out of service between 1961 and 1962. One extra locomotive, named Kitchener, was also rented from the War Department between 1957 and 1959.

Special Names

Two of these locomotives, numbers 90773 and 90774, were given the name North British. They were named after the North British Locomotive Company, which was the company that built them.

Interestingly, British Railways had three locomotives with the name North British. Another one, a different type of engine (an LNER Peppercorn Class A1), was named after the North British Railway, which was a railway company, not the building company.

How They Were Classified

These locomotives were given a special classification of 8F. This number helped British Railways understand how powerful they were. BR considered them "standard" locomotives. This meant they were numbered in the same way as other standard engines. Their boilers were also given a standard number, BR11, and their tenders (the part that carries coal and water) were classified as BR5.

When They Were Taken Out of Service

The process of taking these locomotives out of service began in 1961. Three were withdrawn that year. The remaining 22 locomotives were all taken out of service in December 1962.

Are Any Left Today?

Sadly, none of the original British Railways ex-WD Austerity 2-10-0 locomotives were saved. They were all scrapped.

However, there are a few similar locomotives that have been saved!

• One engine, numbered "90775", is running in Great Britain. It was brought back from Greece. You can find it at the North Norfolk Railway.
• Another engine, named Dame Vera Lynn, was also brought back from Greece. It is currently being repaired at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
• A third engine, called LMR 600 Gordon, has also survived. It used to run on the Severn Valley Railway. Since 2008, it has been on display at the Highley Engine House.

See also

• BR ex-WD Austerity 2-8-0