92220 Evening Star, BR Standard Class 9F

A preserved BR Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 heavy freight locomotive, built at Swindon Works in March 1960 to R. A. Riddles' design — the 999th BR Standard locomotive produced, the last steam locomotive built by British Railways, and the only British main-line locomotive earmarked for preservation at the moment of construction. Withdrawn from British Railways service in March 1965 after only five years in traffic.

92220 Evening Star carries a unique set of distinctions. The name was chosen by competition among Western Region staff — a fitting echo of the GWR locomotive Morning Star that worked the original Great Western main line 125 years earlier. Unlike every other 9F, she was outshopped in BR Brunswick green passenger livery with a copper-capped double chimney and commemorative smokebox plate reading "The last steam locomotive to be built by British Railways". Although last built, she was not last-numbered — Crewe had already completed higher-numbered examples. Her working life was spent mainly on the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway line and Western Region freight, including hauling the last ever Pines Express in September 1962, and a celebrated appearance on the Red Dragon express in June 1960 where she was reportedly faster and more economical than the rostered Britannia Pacific. Preserved directly into the National Collection on withdrawal, she has never been returned to working order in preservation — an appropriate if poignant fate for the locomotive built as the end of an era.

Last recorded at the National Railway Museum, York, owned by the National Railway Museum. Operating status: Static display. Current livery: BR Brunswick green (passenger livery with copper-capped double chimney).

Location, livery and operating status last confirmed pre-2024 and subject to change. Check with the owning organisation or heritage railway for current information.