Riddles Class 9F 2-10-0 (Hardcover: 96 pages)

First introduced in 1954, these impressive locomotives were destined never to fulfill their true potential as, in 1955, the Modernization Plane foreshadowed the complete elimination of steam traction from Britain's railroads. Construction of the class continued until 1960, when No 92220 Evening Star became the last main line steam locomotive to be constructed for use by BR. By this date, however, it was clear that the class was destined to have a relatively short life and, by the final withdrawal of main line steam in August 1968, many of the class had been withdrawn after less than a decade in service.

Designed primarily for heavy freight traffic, where they performed superbly on services such as the iron ore duties from Tyne Dock to Consett, the '9Fs' were equally at home on passenger turns. Amongst the lines that were to see the class regularly hauling passenger trains was the ever-popular Somerset and Dorset line between Bournemouth and Bath.

REVIEWS

"very well done.. all railroad historian as well as hobbyists should find it interesting..."Internet Modeler 11/2007