Marking 40 years since the end of regular steam traction on British railways, this model of now preserved Stanier 8F class 2-8-0 48773 recalls the locomotives' final days of service on BR and starring role on the LCGB Farewell to Steam railtour.

The Stanier designed 8F heavy freight 2-8-0 engines were among the very last locomotives in service with British railways in 1968. A large number of these modern and robust freight engines had been built through WW2, 48773 served in Persia, Egypt and Iran before returning to Britain in 1957. Selected as the 8F in best all-round condition in July 1968, with only 36,000 miles since last major overhaul, 48773 worked the LCGB Farewell to Steam railtour on August 4th, prior to being purchased by the Stanier 8F Locomotive Society and delivered in working order to the Severn Valley Railway.

Known as 'The Camel' due to having been derailed following a collision with a camel while serving with Allied forces in Egypt, LMS 8233, later BR 48773 has been in almost continual service since the end of steam. Purchased by the Stanier 8F Society the 'Black 8' is based on the Severn Valley Railway,  making visits to many other heritage railways and hauling mainline excursions.

August 1968 has not been the only farewell tour hauled by this 8F, in June 1993 48773 left Minehead with the Bishops Triple, a farewell tour for the class 50 diesels which had replaced steam on the West Coast main 25 years before.