About this event

An exploration into the 8F and the circumstances in which it became the War Department’s adopted design.

From the roots of Sir William Stanier’s employment with the LMS and processes of standardisation, through the initial plans for dispersal of the 8F’s at the outbreak of war, to their eventual dispatch to the Middle East as part of the North Africa campaign, and to fulfil Turkish locomotive orders.

The talk will also look at where the detail differences between LMS and War Department 8F’s, where the locomotives ended up and their use, losses incurred enroute (To this day more 8F’s survive underwater than above it!), as well as incidents and anecdotes from their adopted lands, from collisions with camels to being the subject of folk songs.

The talk also documents the locations of all known surviving 8F’s outside of Great Britain

This is a hybrid lecture in person at Keen House and on Zoom.  There is a bar that is open before, after and in the intermission serving a range of snacks of drinks. Please complete the form to the right to indicate if you’d like to join by Zoom.

MRC members and guests are all welcome. A suggested donation of £3 either in person or on our virtual coffee page

Please note there are stairs to the meeting room – anyone with accessibility needs is asked to contact us in advance.