An odd locomotive

In this post, 20 December 2022, I am featuring a 500-piece jigsaw from Groveley showing a member of a unique sub-class of 10 locomotives - No.92020. Unfortunately the printing of the jigsaw picture is slightly out of focus but my copy may, hopefully, be a lone example.

The ten, class 9F, 2-10-0 tender locomotives, numbered 92020 - 92029, were built at Crewe Works by British Railways in 1955. The engines were designed to perform more efficiently than the other 241 class 9F's, all built between 1954 and 1960. The difference was that the special ten were fitted with Franco-Crosti boilers forming what really, became a sub-class of 9F's. The hoped for benefits did not materialise however, and the engines became hated by engine crew, especially in crosswinds. No.92028 was withdrawn from service in 1966, and by November 1967, all of the Franco-Crosti boiler engines had been scrapped; only normal class 9F's survived into preservation. The artist is Kevin Parrish and more of his work, including paintings in monochrome, can be seen on the website of the Guild of Railway Artists (GRA). May I take this opportunity to thank all bloggers who have supported this site, and wish you all, a very happy Christmas and a joyous, healthy and prosperous 2023.