8783

8783 was an apple green tender engine who worked on the London and North Eastern Railway.

Biography
No. 8783 was built on 31st July, 1923. The locomotive was around whilst Toby was working at a harbour in East Anglia as part of the London and North Eastern Railway. In June 1939 it was involved in an accident at Hilgay level crossing, and was rebuilt by Sir Nigel Gresley with modified footplating. The locomotive was kept in immaculate condition as one of the dedicated Royal locomotives hauling the Royal Trains from King's Cross to Wolferton for Sandringham. 8783 also had a copper capped chimney. However, despite the locomotive's rank, 8783 was withdrawn from service on 31st August 1958 and scrapped on 31st January, 1959.

Basis
8783 was based on a Gresley-designed LNER D16/3 class "Claud Hamilton" locomotive of the same number. None survived into preservation. However, there is a project to build a replica of one of the original engines, run by the Claude Hamilton Locomotive Group. Interestingly, the group has chosen to build a replica of engine No. 8783 and intend to name it Phoenix. Molly is also based on this design.

Livery
8783 was painted in LNER apple green. Its number was painted on both sides of its cab in yellow and its company's initials, LNER, was painted on both sides of its tender, also in yellow. 8783 also has a golden nameplate placed on both sides of its splasher.

Appearance
Railway Series=

The Railway Series

 * Toby, Trucks and Trouble - Toby's Seaside Holiday

Companion Volumes

 * 2007 - Thomas the Tank Engine: The New Collection
 * -|Other Media=

Miscellaneous
8783 was mentioned on Molly's Engine Depot page on The Official Website.

Trivia

 * In the Railway Series, 8783 has a nameplate on its splasher, however the original 8783 did not have a name in real life. However, during its working life as a Royal engine, it was nicknamed "Royal Claud" 8783.