Editing BR Standard Class 8 (section)

== Background ==
Riddles had frequently argued the case for the inclusion of a Standard Class 8 ''Pacific'' in the standard range of locomotives being introduced by British Railways. However, those proposals were rejected by the [[Railway Executive]] on the grounds that attempting to develop a new form of steam motive power was unnecessary because there were enough Standard Class 7 ''Britannia'' locomotives already available for use.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.theduke.uk.com/the-duke/history/ |access-date=23 March 2025 |website=The Duke |language=en-GB}}</ref>

However, opportunity came out of adversity when the short-lived rebuild of the former [[LMS Turbomotive]], 46202 ''Princess Anne'' was destroyed in the Harrow and Wealdstone rail disaster of 1952.<ref name=Langston>{{cite book |last=Langston |first=Keith |title=Made in Crewe: 150 Years of Engineering Excellence |publisher=Mortons Media |isbn=0-9552868-0-8}}</ref>{{rp|64}}<ref name=":1" /> A gap then existed in the roster for locomotives with 8P [[power classification]], for which there was high demand to allow the efficient operation of heavy expresses on the [[West Coast Main Line]] between London [[Euston railway station|Euston]] and Scotland.<ref name=railmag>{{cite magazine |title=British Railways prototype class 8 express passenger locomotive |magazine=Railway Magazine}}</ref>{{rp|460}} That gave Riddles the perfect opportunity to press the case for his new design, a prototype of which was duly authorised for construction.{{r|railmag|p=490}}<ref name=":1" />