CR 812 Class

Description

HISTORY OF CR 812

The Caledonian Railway 812 Class were a class of 79 locomotives built for the Caledonian Railway from 1899 to 1900. They were an enlarged version of the previous Drummond 294 Class “Jumbos” but with a larger boiler, cylinders & a more modern design. They were affectionately named “Big Jumbos” by crews. Designed in 1899 for use on passenger trains with 17 of the first 812s being fitted with Westinghouse Air Brakes & were painted in the famous blue livery of the Caley. A further 62 locomotives were built for exclusive use on goods trains & were painted Goods Black with white & red lining, they were fitted with steam brakes only. They were reported to be McIntosh (who designed the 812 along with other famous designs such as the Dunalastairs & Cardeans) favorite design & in his retirement would walk down to the station to ask the crew how they enjoyed them. The 812s proved to be very successful engines & were reported to run as fast as 60 mph, which in the pregrouping era was speeds only achieved by express engines.
All 812s were absorbed into the London, Midland & Scottish Railway in 1923 with very little being changed in their duties from their old Caley days. Only three 812s would not survive to nationalization in 1948. In BR they would be found on lesser duties as time went on & would be all withdrawn by 1963.
One 812 has survived into preservation, No. 828 is the sole survivor of the class & is the flagship locomotive today of Scotland’s industrial heritage. 828 is based at the Strathspey Railway after being overhauled to working service in 2017. As of 2024, 828 is currently on long term hire at the Spa Valley Railway in Kent.