BR Standard 4MT
80078

British Railways Standard Class 4 (2-6-4 Tank)

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From July 1951, British Railways began producing its own steam locomotives to a new “standard” design, incorporating ideas and modifications from the earlier “Big Four” railway companies as well as contemporary American locomotive practices.

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The 4MT 2-6-4 Tank design was developed by Robert Riddles at Brighton Works in 1951. Over the next five years, Brighton Works built 130 of the 155 locomotives in the class, with the remaining 25 constructed at Derby and Doncaster Works.

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During the 1960s Modernisation Plan, which aimed to replace steam traction with diesel, the class began to be withdrawn in July 1961. The final nine locomotives were retired on 9 July 1967, marking the end of the class’s operational service.

80078

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Locomotive 80078 was released from Brighton Works on 2 February 1954 and initially allocated to Plaistow (33A) in East London. During its operational life, it was transferred between several depots, including Tilbury, Stratford, Shrewsbury, and Croes Newydd, before being withdrawn in 1965.

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80078 first arrived on hire to the Mid-Norfolk Railway (MNR) in 2018 and returned for the 2019 running season. In 2021, the MNR officially designated 80078 as its home-based locomotive, using it for the main steam running season each year. The locomotive also occasionally visits other heritage railways during the winter months.

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The MNR would like to thank the owners of 80078 for their continued support, enabling the railway to operate steam services reliably and safely.