Hornby Accessories - BR 9F Class 92167 - Era 4

Explore the remarkable engineering of the Hornby Accessories - BR 9F Class 92167 - Era 4. This exquisite model reflects the grandeur of the British Railways Standard 9F Class, a powerful 2-10-0 steam locomotive recognized for its robust performance across the UK. Designed by Robert Riddles, the 9F Class was not only the last of the standardized BR designs but also proved to be the pinnacle of steam locomotive technology. With a production run from 1954 to 1960, this model pays homage to the heritage of heavy freight and passenger services. The BR 9F Class 92167, in particular, showcases innovative features like a mechanical stoker and a well-designed wheel configuration that enables optimal load distribution over tracks. Highlights include its ability to navigate tight curves thanks to alterations in the wheel flanges. Whether you're a collector, model train enthusiast, or simply a fan of British Railway history, the Hornby BR 9F 92167 will enhance your layout with its authentic design and remarkable detailing. This model is more than just a replica; it's a tribute to a transformative era of British rail transport, where speed, efficiency, and versatility defined locomotion. Add the Hornby 9F Class 92167 to your collection and experience the power of British engineering in your own home.

The British Railways Standard 9F Class was a 2-10-0 steam locomotive, the last of the standardised BR designs. The Robert Riddles design was intended as a long distance heavy express freight locomotive. In total 251 of the class were produced between January 1954 and March 1960, with the final locomotive No. 92220 'Evening Star' being the last steam locomotive built by British Railways.
The huge length of the 10 coupled driving wheels proved problematic when faced with tight curves, a situation that freight haulage would make inevitable. A solution was found by removing the flanges from the centre driving wheel and reducing the size on the flanges on the second and fourth driving axle's wheels. Riddles had chosen the 2-10-0 wheel configuration in-order to spread the load of the boiler over a greater area. This meant that the boiler had to be raised considerably compared to other designs to allow the firebox to sit above the trailing driving wheels. As a result, the 9F features a distinctive void between the suspended boiler and the footplate.
In operation the class proved extremely versatile. Not only did the 9F excel as a freight locomotive, but when required it also succeeded as a passenger locomotive. Reports even suggest that when 92220 'Evening Star' was used to pull the Red Dragon express service between Cardiff and London it was forced to delay its arrival to allow the restaurant services to be completed, having outperformed the normal Britannia Class locomotives used on the service. This was not the only time 9Fs had been recorded outperforming dedicated express locomotives and on such services the locomotives were capable of running at over 90mph. This combination of high speed, fast acceleration and powerful hauling capabilities mean that many consider the class to be pinnacle of British steam locomotive design.
Locomotive numbers 92165-92167 were built with a mechanical stoker. This system used a helical screw to move coal from the tender straight i