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.
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.
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!
To develop, build and operate an improved Gresley class P2 Mikado steam locomotive for mainline and preserved railway use
45407
Designed by Stanier as mixed traffic locomotive and the Black Five has proved to be one of the best locomotive types ever built.
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.
Originally built for heavy shunting she can now be seen in the green pastures of the South Devon Railway
Part of the National collection and now on display at Swindon. I wonder if she will ever see service on the mainline again?
The Sentinel engine Joyce seen here at the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway in 2016. She's a little belter!
Peter Cartwright says
16 January, 2017 at 11:01 amI 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.
Tony Lear says
24 March, 2017 at 12:33 amNo King, Royal Scot or Southern Steam?
railwayblogger says
24 March, 2017 at 5:59 amIt’s hard to get down to ten isn’t it? Maybe I should have made it 20!
Alastair Majury says
9 July, 2017 at 9:08 amGreat list, looking forward to a top 20! Regards, Alastair Majury
Philip Noyce says
30 July, 2017 at 12:32 amAs 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!
railwayblogger says
30 July, 2017 at 9:46 pmHi Philip, the S15 is a magnificent locomotive and it’s great to hear from a fellow heritage railway engineer. Love the fact your unbiased! ?
Albert Ward says
5 August, 2017 at 8:45 pmTop 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.
Geoff says
27 August, 2017 at 5:14 pmLord Nelson, (30)850 for sure.
Reg Prescott says
3 May, 2018 at 8:08 pmThere 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.
TGs Train Clips says
1 September, 2018 at 9:25 amA bit biased to British locos isn’t it?
Anonymous says
3 March, 2019 at 9:30 amStirling Single No1…