British Steam

LMS Black 5.  All business, no fluff:

Rusty

Never cared much for the visual appearance of British steam power. However, the exhaust sounds of their 3-Cylinder Pacifics is truly spectacular, especially on a grade when working hard.

I never cared for the whistles or appearance. They do have the awesome exhaust sounds and smoke.

My favorite is the LBSCR's E2 class tank engine. Otherwise known as the basis for Thomas the Tank Engine.

My favorite is any engine from the Iron Duke class that Daniel Gooch designed for the Great Western. Here's "Great Britain" (Iron Duke class), which reportedly ran 78mph in 1848 on Brunel's broad gauge.

Or one of the broad-gauge Rover class engines, also of Gooch design, like "Bulkeley.

One of my favorites would be the Southern Q1. A really no frills 0-6-0.

Some recent photos from my friend in the UK of "Sir Keith Park"

On our recent trip to the UK, I toured Didcot Railway Center and Swindon Railway Museum.  Both impressive.  The UK has an abundance of preserved steam and railway equipment.  While I do agree with others that the look of British steam is a bit different than what we are used to, I have to give credit where credit is due.  The Brits certainly take pride in their railways.  The attention to detail and a multitude of brass ornament, all polished up, does make a good impression.  

We must remember that in Europe they had to fit their railways into already established cities and even rural landscapes.  We had the luxury of building the railroads before any restraints were in place.  

I grew up on trains behind the last of British steam, so I have a bias but not a Brit layout! The old Victorian designs are my choice.

Shocked they permit steam in the Underground.  That would never happen in the States. 

Hello My friend, I am also British Steam locomotive fan too I just love them. When I was in England I went to some the steam train museums I really fell in love these trains too they very cool looking trains. I like the Baldwin locomotive works engines they look so nice and neat. Thanks longbow57ca.

I am really impressed with the "Underground" train in the video, very classy and elegant.

I am also a fan of 92220 decapod, Evening Star. Very elegant. But none shall beat 765!

Farmer bill. When the underground was built, the Brits saw this problem, and diverted the smoke into tanks so people could breathe. The smoke would be emptied when the train exited the tunnels. Also, the tunnels have vents to the street. All that is coming out of the stack is steam. By the way, nice "Drawing." 

I recommend a book by O.S. Nock titled "Underground Railways of the World" for a very detailed discussion of the original steam-operated London underground lines.

Railfan Brody posted:

I am also a fan of 92220 decapod, Evening Star. Very elegant. But none shall beat 765!

Farmer bill. When the underground was built, the Brits saw this problem, and diverted the smoke into tanks so people could breathe. The smoke would be emptied when the train exited the tunnels. Also, the tunnels have vents to the street. All that is coming out of the stack is steam. By the way, nice "Drawing." 

Evening Star is a beauty. It makes you wonder how things would have been if the last British steamer designs had been built earlier. They finally got to the ease-of-maintenance access like American locomotives had been using for decades, but I guess with wartime austerity hang-overs, there was still some really old steam still running around at the time of nationialization. There, now I have probably poked a stick into a hornet's nest.....at least on some forums out there! 

Just a note on the Underground engines; the exhaust steam was led to the side-tanks to condense while in the tunnels, but the smoke still left the stack. You didn't get the 'chuff' sound, just a loud kind of Rice Krispies sound as the steam hit the tanks. The tanks heated up of course, and the water was frequently drained off and replaced with cold water to make the condensing cycle actually work.

The "Evening Star" tradition is being carried on in the form of GB Railfreight 66779. As the last newly introduced member of the very prolific North American built Class 66 fleet, 66779 has already been earmarked for preservation in the national collection upon retirement which, it is hoped, far in the future. The locomotive has even been painted in green livery in keeping with its steam predecessor. Here 66779 is pictured along with 92220 during its naming ceremony at the National Railway Museum in York.

Bob