LGST121. BR Riddles Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 and Tender No. 92220 'Evening Star'. Paired with a BR1G tender and in BR lined green with late crest and shedplate 86C Cardiff Canton. This is from a DJH whitemetal and brass kit well built by Ken Mason (but I am not sure of the painter). Fitted with an ABC gearbox with a Canon or similar motor, Slaters wheels, a little bit of compensation on the three leading driving axles, compensation on the centre tender axle, and with very good cab detail. The model is lightly used and is supplied in a plain box. The prototype was into service from Swindon Works in March 1960 to Cardiff Canton as the last steam locomotive built by British Railways. It was at Bath Green Park for hauling summer traffic over the Somerset & Dorset both in 1962 and 1963, its power output negating the need for a banking engine. In 1962 it hauled the last ever ‘Pines Express’ over the S&D (the ‘Pines’ survived for a little longer but routed elsewhere). It was withdrawn from Cardiff East Dock in April 1965 and subsequently preserved as part of the National Collection although this almost did not happen. A heavy front end shunt at Cardiff East Dock in 1964 or early 1965 caused damage to the front buffer beam meaning that it could just have easily been withdrawn for scrap, but common sense prevailed and it was repaired at Crewe Works in 1966 for preservation. £1895.
