The War Department (WD) "Austerity" 2-8-0 is a type of heavy freight steam locomotive that was introduced in 1943 for war service. A total of 935 were built, making this one of the most-produced classes of British steam locomotive. They were nicknamed Ozzies by the railwaymen. The Austerity 2-8-0 was based on the LMS Class 8F, which until that point had been the government's standard design. Various modifications were made to the 8F design by R.A. Riddles in order to prioritise low cost over design life. After the end of the conflict, the War Department disposed of 930 locomotives, 200 were sold to the LNER, which classified them as "Class O7", many of which passed into BR service. 12 were exported to Hong Kong to work on the British colony's Kowloon-Canton Railway. Others remained in Europe, mostly in the Netherlands and one was exported to the United States. One has been preserved at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. |
|
Type of Locomotive |
Steam |
Builder |
North British Locomotive Co Vulcan Foundry |
Build Date |
1943 to 1945 |
Total Built |
935 |
Tractive Effort |
34,215 lbf |
Wheel Configuration |
2-8-0 |
Operated By |
War Department London & North Eastern Railway British Railways Kowloon-Canton Railway Nederlandse Spoorwegen USATC |
Main Duties |
Heavy Freight Wartime Use |
In Service Until |
1966 |
Surviving Examples |
1 |
Scale | Brand | Image | Construction Type | DCC Capability | Product Code | Product Title | Livery |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | Bristol Models | Requires assembly | Not set |
WD280BM View |
WD. Austerity 2-8-0 kit | Awaiting Categorisation | |
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | DJH Model Railway Kits | Requires assembly | Not set |
K38 View |
BR/WD Austerity 2-8-0/LNER 07 | Awaiting Categorisation | |
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | Falcon Brassworks | Requires assembly | Not set |
LK207 View |
WD Austerity 2-8-0 with Standard Tender - body kit | Awaiting Categorisation | |
N Gauge | Foxhunter Models | Requires assembly | Not set |
FHM8 View |
WD/BR Austerity 2-8-0 Loco Body Kit | War Department |