European Railroad Discussion > Some BR Standard Classes from Mr. Brown

I have always thought that, though they lack some of the "personality" of pre-Nationalization classes, many of BR Standard Classes were handsome locomotives.  Here are three:

1.  BR 70047 - Camden 4-2-56  Interestingly, the only 'Britannia' Class that was never given a name.
2.  BR 73110 - Basingstoke 3-11-56  Later given the name "Red Knight"
3.  BR 76009 - Thatcham (Berks) 4-20-56

Gordon

---

---

---

gbmott Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have always thought that, though they lack some
> of the "personality" of pre-Nationalization
> classes, many of BR Standard Classes were handsome
> locomotives.  Here are three:
>
> 1.  BR 70047 - Camden 4-2-56  Interestingly, the
> only 'Britannia' Class that was never given a
> name.
> 2.  BR 73110 - Basingstoke 3-11-56  Later given
> the name "Red Knight"
> 3.  BR 76009 - Thatcham (Berks) 4-20-56
>
> Gordon

I always liked Britannias, they took some of the elements of the more stylistically pleasing pre-BR steamers and looked quite decent in my opinion. They were also quite reasonable locos, certainly men on the Great Eastern Mainline liked them, much better performers than the B17s. Many Western men however seemed to dislike them, perhaps because they weren't 'GWR' machines, but Cardiff Canton men seemed to take to them well enough.

Posted from Android

We're very lucky that we still have two intact Brits, 70000 Britannia and 70013 Oliver Cromwell. I think they are extremely handsome steam locos.

IIRC part of the Western's antipathy was based on that the Britannia's driving position was on the left whilst GWR locos were on the right.

86235 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> We're very lucky that we still have two intact
> Brits, 70000 Britannia and 70013 Oliver Cromwell.
> I think they are extremely handsome steam locos.
>
> IIRC part of the Western's antipathy was based on
> that the Britannia's driving position was on the
> left whilst GWR locos were on the right.

I've heard that mentioned as well as the general antipathy towards anything not GWR. Though I know the LMR didn't find them all that great on the stiff gradients up Shap and Beattock compared to their Coronations.

Posted from Android