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British Railways Locomotive 70013 OLIVER CROMWELL Ex BR Standard Class 7MT Britannia Class 4-6-2 Pacific Heritage & Preserved Steam Locomotive Engines Trainspot locations  *  TOPS class links A history of steam locomotive 70013 My Main Railways Index Nostalgic Steam Train Photos from the 1960s Email: chem55555@hotmail.com [Author and photographer © Dr Phil Brown PhD plus help from AI these days, page updated May13th 2026] One of the final designs for an express locomotive from British Railways. Also used as an express freight locomotive BR Standard Britannia Class 7 4-6-2 Pacific No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” in Loughborough Works Yard on the Great Central Railway (GCR, 2017)  (photo courtesy of Kentish Bob YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@kentishbob6423 ) BR Standard Britannia Class 7 4-6-2 Pacific No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” 1. Construction and Introduction of BR Standard Britannia Class 7 4-6-2 Pacific No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” Built at Crewe Works and completed on 30 May 1951 as one of 55 Standard Class 7 (“Britannia”) 4-6-2 Pacifics. Allocated new to Norwich (shed code 32A) on the Eastern Region to work Liverpool Street–Norwich expresses, often covering two return turns a day (c. 460 miles). 2. Technical Specification of BR Standard Britannia Class 7 4-6-2 Pacific No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” Feature Specification Configuration 4-6-2 (Whyte) / 2′C1′ h2 (UIC) Driving wheel dia. 6 ft 2 in (1 880 mm) Leading / Trailing dia. 3 ft 0 in / 3 ft 3˝ in (914 mm / 1 003 mm) Length 68 ft 9 in (20.96 m) Weight (locomotive) 94 long tons (96 t) Axle load 20.5 long tons Boiler BR1 type, 250 psi (1.72 MPa) Heating surfaces Firebox 210 sq ft; tubes/flues 2 264 sq ft; superheater 718 sq ft Cylinders Two outside, 20 × 28 in (508 × 711 mm) Tractive effort 32 150 lbf (143 kN) Tender types BR1 / BR1A / BR1D; coal 7–9 long tons; water 4 250–5 000 imp gal 3. Main-line Career of BR Standard Britannia Class 7 4-6-2 Pacific No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” 1951–1961: Norwich, Eastern Region. Sept 1961–Dec 1963: Transferred to March depot (31B), chalking up nearly 700 000 miles. Dec 1963–1968: Carlisle Kingmoor (12A) on the London Midland Region for freight, parcels and steam-only expresses. Oct 1966–Feb 1967: Last BR-owned steam loco to receive a heavy overhaul at Crewe Works, complete with presentation ceremony. Aug 1968: Hauled the Fifteen Guinea Special (Manchester→Carlisle leg) and was one of the four locos on the final steam railtour before steam abolition. 4. Preservation and Heritage of BR Standard Britannia Class 7 4-6-2 Pacific No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” Immediately acquired for the National Collection by the National Railway Museum. Aug 1968–1980s: Road-railed to Bressingham Steam & Gardens; provided footplate rides and museum display. 2004–2008: Restored to full main-line spec for the 40th anniversary of steam’s end, funded largely by Steam Railway magazine readers. 2008–present: Regular main-line charters and heritage railway visits; most recently undergoing overhaul for return to traffic under the custodianship of the NRM and partner heritage groups. 5. Livery, Numbering & Name of BR Standard Britannia Class 7 4-6-2 Pacific No. 70013 “Oliver Cromwell” Running Number: 70013 (constant through service and preservation). Name: “Oliver Cromwell” (applied at build and retained). Liveries over time: 1951–c. 1964: BR Brunswick green, orange & black lining, large early BR crest on tender. 1964–1968: BR Brunswick green with small “ferret & dartboard” emblem. Preservation (Bressingham era): BR green with simplified lining, museum lettering. Main-line restoration (2008 & 2013): Back-dated to 1950s style green, lining & crests for anniversary galas. Current: BR green with late-style crest and full lining, matching National Collection presentation. Oliver Cromwell stands today not only as an icon of BR standardisation but as a living link between the last days of main-line steam and our heritage railways. A history of BR Standard Britannia Class locomotive 70013 OLIVER CROMWELL BR Standard Class 7MT Britannia No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell is one of the most historically significant British steam locomotives, not only as a flagship of the 1951 BR Standardisation programme but as one of the four locomotives that worked the final day of BR main‑line steam in August 1968. It is also one of only two Britannias to survive into preservation. Below is a full, structured, deeply detailed history synthesised from authoritative sources. Citations appear throughout. Overview and Significance of steam locomotive 70013 OLIVER CROMWELL 70013 Oliver Cromwell is a BR Standard Class 7 Pacific designed by R.A. Riddles and built at Crewe Works, completed 30 May 1951. It served on the Eastern and London Midland Regions, became the last BR steam locomotive to receive a heavy overhaul, and hauled part of the Fifteen Guinea Special on 11 August 1968 — the last steam‑hauled passenger train on British Railways. Construction and Technical Profile of steam locomotive 70013 OLIVER CROMWELL Builder: Crewe Works Completed: 30 May 1951 Cost: Ł20,115 (contemporary figure) Class: BR Standard Class 7 “Britannia” Configuration: 4‑6‑2 Pacific Boiler: BR1, 250 psi Cylinders: 2 outside, 20 × 28 in Tractive effort: 32,150 lbf Driving wheels: 6 ft 2 in Tender types: BR1 / BR1A / BR1D (7–9 tons coal; 4,250–5,000 gal water) These specifications made the Britannias powerful yet economical express locomotives, intended to replace a wide variety of pre‑grouping designs. Early Career (1951–1961): The Eastern Region Years Allocated new to Norwich (32A), 70013 worked the premier expresses on the Great Eastern Main Line: The Broadsman The Norfolkman London Liverpool Street ↔ Norwich diagrams often required two full return trips per day, totalling ~460 miles. By 1961, Oliver Cromwell had already accumulated 698,000 miles, an excellent figure for just over a decade of service. Transfer to March (1961–1963) On 16 September 1961, 70013 moved to March depot (31B), continuing mixed express and secondary duties. Carlisle Kingmoor and the Final BR Years (1963–1968) In December 1963, the locomotive transferred to Carlisle Kingmoor (12A) on the London Midland Region. Here it worked: Freight Parcels Remaining steam‑only expresses Last Heavy Overhaul Between October 1966 and February 1967, 70013 became the last BR‑owned steam locomotive to receive a full heavy overhaul at Crewe Works, complete with a formal presentation ceremony. The Fifteen Guinea Special (11 August 1968) On the final day of BR steam, 70013 was one of four locomotives rostered for the 1T57 Fifteen Guinea Special, the last BR steam‑hauled passenger train. 70013 hauled the Manchester Victoria → Carlisle leg via Blackburn, Hellifield and the Settle & Carlisle line. This cemented its place in railway history. Preservation of steam locomotive 70013 OLIVER CROMWELL (1968–2004) Immediately after withdrawal on 11 August 1968, 70013 was selected for the National Collection. Bressingham Steam Museum (1968–2004) Arrived 19 August 1968 after being moved via Norwich and Diss. Operated short demonstration rides until 1973. Then placed on static display for over three decades. Main‑Line Restoration of steam locomotive 70013 OLIVER CROMWELL (2004–2008) In 2004, following a campaign led by Steam Railway magazine, 70013 left Bressingham for: National Railway Museum, York Great Central Railway (Loughborough) for overhaul It returned to steam in 2008, in time for the 40th anniversary of the Fifteen Guinea Special. 21st‑Century Operations (2008–2018) Between 2008 and 2018, Oliver Cromwell: Ran on numerous preserved lines Worked many main‑line charter trains Starred in the 50th anniversary recreation of the Fifteen Guinea Special in 2018 Current Status (2019–2025) Withdrawn for overhaul on 1 January 2019 at Loughborough, just before its boiler certificate expired. Boiler overhaul work at Tyseley Locomotive Works has progressed, with retubing underway and return to Loughborough expected. Summary Timeline of steam locomotive 70013 OLIVER CROMWELL Year Event 1951 Completed at Crewe; allocated to Norwich 1951–1961 Premier GE expresses; ~698,000 miles 1961 Transferred to March 1963 Transferred to Carlisle Kingmoor 1966–67 Last BR steam loco to receive heavy overhaul 11 Aug 1968 Worked Fifteen Guinea Special 19 Aug 1968 Entered preservation at Bressingham 2004–08 Overhauled for main‑line return 2008–18 Main‑line and heritage operations 2019–present Under overhaul at GCR/Tyseley * * The star attraction of the 2009 NYMR Autumn Steam Gala was the visit to the North York Moors National Park of the Ex British Railways Standard 4-6-2 Pacific Locomotive No. 70013 OLIVER CROMWELL looking smart in its BR express locomotive green livery built at Crewe Locomotive Works in 1951. Technical detail specifications of locomotive 70013: Boiler pressure of 70013: 250 lbf/sq.in. superheated, Weight of 70013: loco 94.0 tons, tender 49.2 tons, Wheel diameter of 70013: 3' 0'', 6' 2", 3' 3˝", Valve gear of 70013: Walschaerts piston valves, Cylinders (diameter x stroke) of 70013: 20" x 28" (O), Tractive effort of 70013: 32160  lbf., BR Power classification of 70013: Class 7MT, Route availability RA 7   70013 OLIVER CROMWELL coaling up at Grosmont locomotive sheds and works.   70013 OLIVER CROMWELL standing in Glaisdale Station en route to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.     70013 waits in Grosmont Station.   70013 waits patiently!   The driving cab of 7MT 70013 OLIVER CROMWELL, a classic BR standard Britannia Class Pacific   70013 almost ready to go!   70013 pulling out of Grosmont Station.   70013 working somewhat more harder hauling the return train to Pickering up out of Eskdale.   70013 OLIVER CROMWELL coasts down to Eskdale with a train from Pickering.   70013 OLIVER CROMWELL working hard up the bank out of Glaisdale Station with an NYMR Grosmont - Battersby train.   Great Central Railway Winter Gala: A classic BR standard 7MT 4-6-2 Pacific Locomotive 70013 OLIVER CROMWELL with THE IRISH MAIL headboard from one of its former British Railways duties. She was built at Crewe Locomotive Works in 1951.   Great Central Railway Winter Gala: Loco 70013 Oliver Cromwell pulling away from Quorn and Woodhouse Station with a Leicester-Loughborough train.   Great Central Railway Winter Gala 2009: 70013 backs into Loughborough station as Ex GWR 2-6-2T tank engine 4141 heads for Leicester.   70013 Oliver Cromwell after arrival in Leicester North Station with a train from Loughbrough.     Great Central Railway Winter Gala: 70013 waiting to depart from Loughborough ...   ... and finally on its way to Leicester.   Great Central Railway Winter Gala: 70013 Oliver Cromwell entering Quorn and woodhouse Station with a north-bound train and 63395 passing by on the other side heading south with a freight train.     Great Central Railway - GCR workshops and shed yard at Loughborough: 63601 next to 70013   70013 OLIVER CROMWELL paired with 30777 SIR LAMIEL at York Station ... ... the double header heads south en route to ? See also 70000 Two photographs of 70013 OLIVER CROMWELL by the coaling stage and on the turntable of Leicester Locomotive Depot (London Midland depot) in April 1963, the shed, coaling stage and roundhouse are long since gone! My great thanks to Paul Gray for allowing me to use these historic black and white photographs on my 'homage page' to 70013 OLIVER CROMWELL.   What 70013 might have looked like at the end of steam and British Railways! Many great express passenger locomotives were in the most appalling state! (as is this old photo from 1967!)   BR Standard Class 7MT Britannia 4-6-2 Pacific 70054 DORNOCH FIRTH on Stoke Shed 1963 (photos thanks to Paul Gray from Gedney, South Lincolnshire, England)   Britannia Pacific 70018 FLYING DUTCHMAN in the 1960s Crewe? 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The railway trip from steam locomotive 70013 railway tours involves seeing or travelling behind a 'real' steam locomotive in action and there is nothing like the sight and sounds of a steam train to invoke feelings of nostalgia in some of us to steam locomotive 70013 railway tours even more luxury by having a special trip out on a steam dining train! 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The railway trip involves seeing or travelling behind a 'real' steam locomotive or heritage diesel in action on a special trip from steam locomotive 70013 railway tours Booking Eurostar Continental Rail Travel Tour Tickets Stuttgart Brussels Eurostar Brussels from steam locomotive 70013 railway tours by TGV to Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International Stratford International, St Pancras International Paris Gare du Nord Paris Gare de Lyon Paris Gare de L'est Paris Gare Montparnasse by Eurostar from steam locomotive 70013 railway tours London to Paris, Eurostar London - Brussels Eurostar London to Lille deals bargain city breaks steam locomotive 70013 railway tours Great Railway Journey holidays in Italy, Spain and France by TGV booking from steam locomotive 70013 railway tours Booking Eurostar Continental Rail Travel Tour Tickets to the Continent  eg Paris Brussels Avignon or railway tours across France, Holland, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Russia, Asia or China for a travel spectacular steam locomotive 70013 railway tours Good trainspotting 'TRAINSPOTS' Good trainspotting and photographic locations  Barnetby Station, North Lincolnshire  *  Carlisle Station  *  Clapham Junction Station, London  *  Colton Junction, south of York  *  Crewe Station  *  Doncaster Station, South Yorkshire  * Hellifield station - Carlisle to Settle line * Lancaster station  * Newcastle Station  *  Northallerton Station  *  Nuneaton Station  *  Sheffield Station  *  Stratford Station, East London * Warrington Bank Quay station * Wigan North Western - WCML *  York Station See other TOPS classes of diesels and electrics * Class 01 * Class 02 * Class 03 * Class 04 * Class 08 * Class 09 * Class 10 * Class 11 * Class 14 * Class 20 * Class 24 * Class 25 * Class 26 * Class 27 * Class 31 * Class 33 * Class 35 * Class 37 * Class 40 * Class 43 * Class 44 * Class 45 * Class 47 * Class 50 * Class 52 * Class 55 * Class 56 * Class 57 * Class 58 *  Class 60 * Class 66 * Class 67 * Class 68 * Class 70 * Class 71 * Class 73 * Class 76 * Class 77 *  Class 84 * Class 86 * Class 87 * Class 88 * Class 90 * Class 91 * Class 92 * Derby Lightweight * Class 101 * Class 108 * Class 114 * Class 117 * Class 120 * Class 121 * Class 122 * Class 127 * Class 141 * Class 142 * Class 144 * Class 150 * Class 153 * Class 155 * Class 156 * Class 158 * Class 159 * Class 165 * Class 166 * Class 170 * Class 172 * Class 175 * Class 180 * Class 185 * Class 195  * Class 196 * Class 197 * Class 220 * Class 221 * Class 222 * Class 252 * Class 313 * Class 315 * Class 317 * Class 319 * Class 320 * Class 321 * Class 322 * Class 323 * Class 325 * Class 331 * Class 332 * Class 333 * Class 334 * Class 350 * Class 357 * Class 360 * Class 365 * Class 373 * Class 375 * Class 376 * Class 377 * Class 378 * Class 379 * Class 380 * Class 387 * Class 390 * Class 395 * Class 414 * Class 423 * Class 442 * Class 444 * Class 450 * Class 455 * Class 458 * Class 460 * Class 465 * Class 466 * Class 489 * Class 507/508 * Class 700 * Class 730  * Class 755 * Class 800 * Class 801 * Class 802 * Class 803 *  Class 805 * Class 3000 * IMAGES OF PRESERVED STEAM LOCOMOTIVES