Trains.com

Identification needed (English steam locomotive)

1342 views
3 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • 455 posts
Posted by aricat on Monday, May 30, 2011 8:54 AM

70000 is a Britannia class Pacific. It was bulit in 1951 as a mixed traffic locomotive; although most of its work was passenger trains. She carried the name Britannia. The class was 70000- 70054. A rap on these locomotives was that they were Americanized and did not have the clean lines expected of British Steam Locomotives.Younger British steam fans liked them and were a popular among trainspotters. Number 70000 had almost cult status among trainspotters. In the 1950's trainspotters flocked to see her at Liverpool Street Station in London as she and some of her sisters worked express passenger trains to Norwich. A Britannia class locomotive was the regular power on the London Victoria to Paris Golden Arrow; one of Britain's crack trains. They were also regular power on many named passenger trains.They were also among the last British steam locomotives to work in Britain in regular service. In addition,70013 Oliver Cromwell is preserved.

You have good taste in British steam NKP guy. You might consider the book BR Standard Britannia Pacifics published by Bradford Barton; Truro England. It is worth every penny.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 1,530 posts
Posted by NKP guy on Monday, May 30, 2011 1:11 AM

Thanks so much for the info & link, Mike.  This is the locomotive in question.  What a classic beauty!

  • Member since
    July 2009
  • 139 posts
Posted by Mikec6201 on Sunday, May 29, 2011 6:32 PM

 Could be British Railways class 7 loco # 70000 named Britannia. Just recently restored.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BR_standard_class_7_70000_Britannia     will tell you more.....Mike

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 1,530 posts
Identification needed (English steam locomotive)
Posted by NKP guy on Sunday, May 29, 2011 4:46 PM

On Saturday, 28 May I was traveling from Paddington to Exeter when I saw a beautiful steam locomotive in the station at Westbury.  Numbered 70000 (I believe), it was under steam and had perhaps only a dozen or so enthusiasts admiring it.  Who can tell me something about this locomotive, where it was going, etc., and how I could have found out about this, and other, steam excursions in Britain?

I certainly envy you British, with many steam experiences and excursions to choose from, to say nothing of your fast and on-time trains for daily use. 

 

 

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy