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Class 7F

Main Line Steam - Class 7F

53809

S&DJR 7F 2-8-0 53809

The first batch of six locos 53800 – 53805 were built in 1914 at Derby. 53809 was part of the second batch of this class of loco, (53806 – 53810) built in 1925 with larger boilers by Robert Stephenson & Company’s works at Darlington. The larger boilers were replaced with standard units starting in 1930 with 53809, possibly prompted by an incident on the 29th November 1929 at Bath involving 53809. The footplate crew were overcome by fumes in Coombe Down Tunnel causing a goods train to run out of control through Bath.

53809 spent her working life on the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway (S&DJR) working heavy goods trains on the steeply graded lines through the Mendips. She was withdrawn from service in June 1964 and sold to Woodham Bros. scrap yard at Barry. 53809 and sister 53808 were bought for preservation in 1975 and moved to Doncaster. 53809 was moved to the Midland Railway Centre in March 1980 where she was rapidly restored for mainline working. She took part in the May 1980 Rainhill Trial Celebrations and has hauled many mainline specials and passenger trains at the Midland Railway – Butterley.

Status:

Operational (Undergoing overhaul at Swanwick Junction Workshops)

Specification:

  • Tractive effort: 35,392lbs
  • Cylinders: 2 – outside – 21” x 28”stroke
  • Driving Wheels: 4ft 7.5ins.
  • Boiler pressure: 190 psi
  • Total weight: 49 tons 10cwt
  • Number Built: 11
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