Last Steam Locomotive Built for BR

On July 3, 1959, British Railways unveiled No. 92220 Evening Star, the last steam locomotive built in the UK for mainline service, at Swindon Works. Designed as a 9F class 2-10-0 heavy freight engine by Robert Riddles, it featured a distinctive green livery and brass nameplates. This occurred during the transition to diesel and electric traction under the 1955 Modernisation Plan. The locomotive hauled its final revenue trains before preservation, symbolizing the end of an era for steam power that had dominated since the 1820s. Its preservation at the National Railway Museum highlights its engineering legacy and cultural significance to rail enthusiasts worldwide.