British Railways came into existence as a nationalised company on 1 January 1948 replacing the ‘Big Four’ companies GWR, SR, LMS and LNER. The newly formed company went on to operate standard gauge steam locomotives for a little over 20 years. However by midnight on 8 August 1968 they had ceased to do so. BR’s discontinuation of steam traction marked not only the end of one era it signalled the beginning of another; the age of railway preservation, which started a year or so before the demise of BR, was given a kick-start.

More than 40 years have passed since the last steam-hauled train on the British main line network – the BR Fifteen Guinea Special, from Liverpool to Carlisle and back - and the nation still has a total fascination with steam. Many 21st century enthusiasts were born long after the end of the steam era, some even after the end of British Railways. There are train crews working preserved railway services who never saw steam run on BR, such is the attraction.

It is fortunate that many with knowledge, memories and experience of the steam era have seen fit to encourage others to follow in their footsteps so that when young children today are asked to draw a train, they invariably draw a steam engine and young people and adults all over the country donate hours of their time to the preservation and operation of these great machines.

This publication charts the British Railways steam years and in doing so recognises that it wasn’t just all about the big named locomotives, there were many steam types which now only exist as memories and fortunately as photographic images. It was impossible to preserve one of every major locomotive class, never mind examples of the many other types which ‘also served’. Within these pages those who have memories can refresh them, and those who are younger can glimpse something of our glorious steam heritage.