The steam locomotives of British Railways were used by British Railways over the period 1948–1968. The vast majority of these were inherited from its four constituent companies, the "Big Four".
In addition, BR built 2537 steam locomotives in the period 1948–1960, 1538 to pre-nationalisation designs and 999 to its own standard designs. These locomotives had short lives, some as little as five years against a design life of over 30 years, because of the decision to end the use of steam traction by 1968.
Read more about Steam Locomotives Of British Railways: Background, Locomotives Inherited From Constituent Companies, Classification, Locomotives Acquired From The War Department, Locomotives Built By BR To Big Four Designs, BR 'Standard' Classes, Liveries, Withdrawal, Vale of Rheidol Finale, Preservation
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“The windows were then closed and the steam turned on. There was a sign up saying that no one could smoke, but you couldn’t help it. You were lucky if you didn’t burst into flames.”
—Robert Benchley (1889–1945)
“The flower-fed buffaloes of the spring
In the days of long ago,
Ranged where the locomotives sing
And the prairie flowers lie low:—”
—Vachel Lindsay (1879–1931)
“You British plundered half the world for your own profit. Let’s not pass it off as the Age of Enlightenment.”
—Paddy Chayefsky (1923–1981)
“There is nothing in machinery, there is nothing in embankments and railways and iron bridges and engineering devices to oblige them to be ugly. Ugliness is the measure of imperfection.”
—H.G. (Herbert George)