BR Standard 4MT
80078
Builder | Brighton Works |
Introduction Date | 2nd February 1954 |
Withdrawal Date | 24th July 1965 |
Configuration | 2-6-4 |
Status | In Service |
Number Held | 80078 |
Owned By | Private |
British Railways Standard Class 4 (2-6-4 Tank)
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From July 1951, British Railways started to build its own steam locomotives to their new 'standard' design which incorporate various modifications and ideas from the previous 'Big Four' railway companies and locomotives that were being produced in America at the time. The design of the 4MT was done by Robert Riddles at Brighton Works during the course of 1951, who were then over the next 5 years responsible for building 130 of the 155 of the class, the other 25 being split between Derby and Doncaster Works. During the 1960s Modernisation Plan of British Railways, which called for all Steam traction to be replaced by Diesel, the class started withdrawal in July 1961 and the last 9 remaining engines being withdrawn on 9th July 1967.
80078
80078 was released from Brighton Work on 2nd February 1954 and allocated to Plaistow (33A) in East London. Over the course of its working life it was transferred between various depots such as Tilbury, Stratford, Shewsbury & Croes Newydd where is was withdrawn in 1965. It first arrived on hire to the MNR in 2018 and was then subsequently rehired for the 2019 running season. As of 2021 the MNR officially became it's home base with it being used by the railway for the main steam running season every years since. The locomotive does occasionally go to other heritage railways during the winter. The MNR would like to take this opportunity to thank the owners for the hire of 80078 to the MNR and for their continued help ensuring the MNR can operate steam trains.