The Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway (S&DJR) 7F 2-8-0 is a class of steam locomotive designed for hauling heavy coal and goods trains. Eleven were built in two batches in 1914 and 1925, and were used until withdrawal between 1959 and 1964.

7F built for SDJR in 1914 Midland Compound introduced in 1905 was used for the boiler design for the 7F for the SDJR. In 1876 the Midland Railway (MR) and the London & South Western Railway combined forces to rescue the financially ailing Somerset & Dorset Railway.

The London, Midland and Scottish Railway Fowler Class 7F was a class of 0-8-0 steam locomotives. They were a Midlandised version of the London and North Western Railway (LNWR) Class G2 and Class G2A 0-8-0 s. They were also classified as Class G3 …

The Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway (S&DJR) 7F 2-8-0 is a class of steam locomotive designed for hauling heavy coal and goods trains. Eleven were built in two batches in 1914 and 1925, and were used until withdrawn between 1959 and 1964.

The Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway (S&DJR) 7F 2-8-0 is a class of steam locomotive designed for hauling heavy coal and goods trains. Eleven were built in two batches in 1914 and 1925, and were used until withdrawal between 1959 and 1964.

The first batch of six locos 53800 – 53805 were built in 1914 at Derby. 53809 was part of the second batch of this class of loco, (53806 – 53810) built in 1925 with larger boilers by Robert Stephenson & Company’s works at Darlington.

The ability of the 7F’s to haul these heavy trains unassisted made them a popular choice for this work. Only rarely did 89 venture up the S&D branch from Evercreech Junction to Glastonbury and Highbridge.

First introduced in 1914, with a later batch introduced in 1925, the 7Fs revolutionised freight transport on the railway it was built to serve. A total of 11 were built, and two are preserved. Nos 53808 and 53809 have both run in preservation, and have often been seen together. Below are the options for packs you can purchase.

The magnificent and very powerful 53809 (seen leaving Grosmont with a freight train) was originally built for the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway (jointly owned by Midland LSWR Railways) in 1925 at Robert Stephenson & Company Newcastle, Tyne and Wear (RS 3895).

The ability of the 7F’s to haul these heavy trains unassisted made them a popular choice for this work. Only rarely did 88 venture up the S&D branch from Evercreech Junction to Glastonbury and Highbridge.