Do you agree with my list of top ten steam locomotives? Some locos have held a special place in my heart over the years. I’d like to know what your favourite is and whether it’s on my list or not?
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Do you agree with my list of top ten steam locos?
Do you agree with my list of top 10 steam locomotives in the UK. Very hard to decide - what have I missed out?
The wonderful 9F shown here at the Mid-Hants Railway Watercress Line. I spent 17 years helping to restore this engine at the Great Central Railway so it has to be top of my list!
It's a little known fact that Sir Billy Butlin rescued this engine with a view to displaying her at one of his holiday camps. She is beautiful and we are indebted to Sir Billy for saving her.
A member of the Peppercorn A2 Class, Blue Peter was built in 1948 for fast express passenger trains on the ECML. Currently proposed for a return to the main which is fantastic news!
Sir Nigel Gresley named after the genius train engineer. I am so in awe of this man that once I even named my cat 'Nigel' later 'Nidge' after the great man himself.
To develop, build and operate an improved Gresley class P2 Mikado steam locomotive for mainline and preserved railway use
Flying Scotsman was originally built in Doncaster for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), emerging from the works on 24 February 1923 and initially numbered 1472. It was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley as part of the A1 class – the most powerful locomotives used by the railway. Discover more about Scotsman.
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Designed by Stanier as mixed traffic locomotive and the Black Five has proved to be one of the best locomotive types ever built.
Originally built for heavy shunting she can now be seen in the green pastures of the South Devon Railway
The Sentinel engine Joyce seen here at the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway in 2016. She's a little belter!
Part of the National collection and now on display at Swindon. I wonder if she will ever see service on the mainline again?
I don’t envy you the task of selecting the top ten British steam locomotives but I can’t agree with every selection. So for me it’s bye-bye Sentinel, A2, pannier tank and P2 (not even built yet) and hallo to Tornado, Duke of Gloucester, unrebuilt Bulleid WC/BoB (I love pacifics) and 80xxx 2-6-4T.
No King, Royal Scot or Southern Steam?
It’s hard to get down to ten isn’t it? Maybe I should have made it 20!
Great list, looking forward to a top 20! Regards, Alastair Majury
As I’m involved in physically helping out with overhauling “S15” 828 on the Mid Hants Railway, I think this class of steam locomotive should be in the top twenty at least, if not the top10….in my humble unbiased opinion!
Hi Philip, the S15 is a magnificent locomotive and it’s great to hear from a fellow heritage railway engineer. Love the fact your unbiased! ?
Top of my list would be 60009 “Union of South Africa”. My last A4 to find back in the good old days. Next would be “Butler Henderson” used as a pilot at Sheffield Victoria when I worked there. I can still see it at Barrow hill.
Lord Nelson, (30)850 for sure.
There are certain machines that just look right. Spitfire, Triumph Bonneville T140, Norton Commando roadster version etc. etc. Add to these any rebuilt Merchant Navy, West Country or Battle of Britain class loco, If ever an engine looked right, it was these boys.
A bit biased to British locos isn’t it?
Stirling Single No1…
Rebuilt Merchant Navy class. Best looking loco ever built.