number 92220 Evening Star is a preserved British steam locomotive completed in 1960. It was the last steam locomotive to be built by British Railways. It was the only British main line steam locomotive earmarked for preservation from the date of construction. It was the 999th locomotive of the whole British Railways Standard range.
Construction
Evening Star was built at Swindon Works in 1960. Though the last to be built, it was not the last 9F numerically as Crewe Works had already completed engines with higher numbers. It was equipped with a BR1G-type tender and given BR Locomotive Green livery, normally reserved for passenger locomotives, and was completed with a copper-capped double chimney. All other members of the class of heavy freight locomotives were painted unlined black.
Naming
92220 was the only Class 9F to be named when running with BR, although other 9Fs have subsequently been named in preservation. The name Evening Star was chosen following a competition run in 1959-60 by the BR Western Region Staff Magazine. There were three competition winners, Driver T.M. Phillips, Boilermaker J.S. Sathi and F.L. Pugh, who had all suggested Evening Star. A special commemorative plate was affixed below the nameplate on the smoke deflectors. The commemorative plate reads: The wooden patterns for this commemorative plate and the engine's name plate were both carved by pattern maker Fred Marsh.
Naming ceremony
The naming ceremony took place on 18 March 1960 at the Swindon Works, where the locomotive was built. A speech was given by R.F. Hanks, Chairman of the Western Area Board of British Transport Commission: The loco was then named by Keith Grand of the British Transport Commission, by the unveiling of the nameplate, naming it Evening Star.
In service
92220 was used over the Western Region and over the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway line. Its main duties were as a heavy freight locomotive. However, 92220 was never just any locomotive, its working was closely controlled "to ensure she returned home regularly for cleaning and maintenance in view of the special workings and exhibitions for which the engine was required". On 27–28 June and 1 July 1960, No. 92220, then allocated to Cardiff Canton shed, hauled the BR Western Region's flagship Paddington to Cardiff, Swansea, Neyland and Fishguard Harbour passenger express trains, the London bound Red Dragon and the return Capitals United Express between Cardiff and Paddington, reportedly having to delay its arrival at Paddington to allow for completion of restaurant services because it was running so early; easily outperforming the regular Britannia passenger express locomotives, which it was observed overtaking on several occasions. However, its career on these flagship services was cut short, by order of BR senior management, allegedly from fear of damage to its running gear which wasn't designed for extended high speed express work. BR management's embargo, issued after they received word of the runs on 27–28 June, wasn't enforced until after driver Eddie Broom, head of Canton Shed's Local Departmental Committee, had his turn on 92220's down Capitals United Express run, on 1 July 1960. On 16 July 1962 and 18 July 1962, the locomotive was photographed at Gloucester Barnwood shed yard, and on 8 September 1962 it hauled the last Pines Express on the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway. Evening Star was recorded hauling passenger express trains at over on its Red Dragon and Capitals United Express runs. 92220 was withdrawn in 1965 and stored at Severn Tunnel Junction Marshalling Yard, after incurring minor damage in a shunting accident at Cardiff Docks. It had a working life of only five years. It was subsequently preserved as part of the National Collection. In late 1966, the locomotive, now in decrepit condition, was towed to Crewe Works via Shrewsbury for overhaul and restoration.
