BR 9F 2-10-0 No 92220 Evening Star at the east end of Cardiff General ready to work the up 'Red Dragon' to Paddington on July 1, 1960.

The local story usually mentioned is that 92220 was initially tried on this service due to a last minute failure of the rostered locomotive, but proved so successful that the Top Link drivers all wanted a turn, however, senior management frowned on the consistent high speed use of the loco and the practice was stopped, allegedly after the most senior drivers had their run out.


Peter Kerslake says "The boys of the cleaning gang at Cardiff Canton have certainly excelled themselves here on the 1st. of July of 1960 as their four months old "Evening Star" has been chosen for the day's Top Link "Red Dragon" duty, taking on the service here probably from a Carmarthen or Landore "Castle" and running up to Paddington ,thereafter working back home again later that same day on this "Out and Back" turn.
Although officially classified as a freight engine the "9F's" were capable of maintaining a fair turn of speed so Canton's Shedmaster has decided this day to let "Evening Star" show what she is capable of on the "Red Draon".
Summer Saturdays in the 'sixties would also result in a "9F" working down from Paddington to the Westcountry with an express passenger duty, especially when "Castles" and "Kings" were in short supply, such was the trust placed upon the class by the Shedmaster and Running Foreman at Old Oak Common."

Photo: R.O. Tuck/Rail Archive Stephenson