8783 was an apple green tender engine who worked on the London and North Eastern Railway.
Biography
No. 8783 was built on 31 July, 1923. The locomotive was around whilst Toby was working at a harbour in East Anglia as part of the London and North Eastern Railway. In June 1939, 8783 was involved in an accident at Hilgay level crossing, and was rebuilt by Sir Nigel Gresley with modified footplating. The locomotive was kept in immaculate condition as one of the dedicated Royal locomotives hauling the Royal Trains from King's Cross to Wolferton for Sandringham. 8783 also had a copper capped chimney. However, despite the locomotive's rank, 8783 was withdrawn from service on 31 August 1958 and scrapped on 31 January 1959.
Technical Details
Basis
8783 was based on a Gresley-designed LNER D16/3 class "Claud Hamilton" locomotive of the same number. None survived into preservation. However, there was a project to build a replica of one of the original engines, run by the Claud Hamilton Locomotive Group, before they cancelled it in 2024. Interestingly, the group had chosen to build a replica of engine No. 8783 and intended to name it Phoenix. Molly from Thomas & Friends is also based on this design.
Livery
8783 was painted in LNER apple green. The number was painted on both sides of the cab in yellow and the company's initials, LNER, was painted on both sides of the tender, also in yellow. 8783 also has a golden nameplate placed on both sides of the splasher.
Appearance
Trivia
- In The Railway Series, 8783 has a nameplate on the splasher, however the original 8783 did not have a name in real life. However, during the engine's working life as a royal engine, the engine was nicknamed "Royal Claud" 8783.
Gallery
The Railway Series
Main Series
Real Life
References
| Locomotives | Steam | 87546 and 98462 | Workshop Engines | Big City Engine | Jinty and Pug | City of Truro | Stepney | Bluebell and Primrose | Adams | Cromford | Captain Baxter | Flying Scotsman | Toby's Brothers | 8783 | 1020 | Stephenson's Rocket | Green Arrow | Boxhill | Iron Duke | Mallard | Duchess of Hamilton | Wilbert | Sixteen | Albert | King James I | Bahamas |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | Diesel | Diesel 4711 | Diesel 199 | Diesel 40125 | Diesel 31120 | 10751 | |
| Rolling Stock | Helena | |
| People | Elizabeth II | The Thin Clergyman | The Fat Clergyman | |
| Stations | Barrow-in-Furness | Brighton | Carnforth | Crewe | Euston | Horsted Keynes | King's Cross | Lakeside | Norchard | Paddington | St. Pancras | York | |
| Railways | Bluebell Railway | British Railways | Corris Railway | Dean Forest Railway | Ffestiniog Railway | Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway | Snowdon Mountain Railway | Talyllyn Railway | Toby's Old Tramway | |