The BR Standard Class 7, otherwise known as the Britannia Class, is a class of 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotive designed under Robert Riddles for use by British Railways for mixed-traffic duties. 55 were constructed between 1951 and 1954. The design employed results from the 1948 locomotive exchanges undertaken in advance of further locomotive classes being constructed. Three batches were constructed at Crewe Works, before the publication of the 1955 Modernisation Plan.
A Standard Class 7 at Carlisle Kingmoor in 1968
70045 Lord Rowallan with LMS-style buffers.
70040 (Clive of India) at Beccles, East Suffolk Line.
Image: Hugh llewelyn 70000 (6956634910)
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-6-2 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles and two trailing wheels on one axle. The 4-6-2 locomotive became almost globally known as a Pacific type after a locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia was shipped across the Pacific Ocean to New Zealand.
New Zealand's Q class, the first true Pacific locomotive
Cape Government Railways Enlarged Karoo Class, SAR Class 5
The LNER Peppercorn Class A1 60163 Tornado, built in 2008
Western Australian Government Railways P class no. 508
