The BR Standard Class 8 is a type of steam locomotive designed by the British Railways in the 1950s. It was built for heavy passenger and freight services, featuring a 4-6-2 wheel arrangement. This design allowed for greater speed and efficiency on the railways, making it suitable for mainline operations. A total of 30 units were produced, with the first entering service in 1951. The locomotives were known for their powerful performance and were often used on express trains. The BR Standard Class 8 is part of the larger family of BR Standard locomotives, which aimed to modernize British rail transport.