B.R.S.C Standard Class PS-IX Seafarer-Type 0-6-0T + T

'''Please Note: This page is incomplete due to unreliable, obscure and/or undiscovered information sources, or is simply currently under construction. Caution is advised.'''

The B.R.S.C Premium Standard Class PS-IX Seafarer-Type, otherwise known as the B.R.S.C Standard Class PS-IX Seafarer-Type, B.R.S.C Standard Class PS-IX, B.R.S.C Class PS-IX Seafarer-Type, B.R.S.C Class PS-IX, or just the B.R.S.C Seafarer-Type, was a uniquely non-uniform standard class of locomotives designed by B.R.S.C during the later stages of its Golden Era. It was designed under B.R.S.C's Premium Standard Class Range, and was the last known locomotive designated as such. It was designed for use as a maintenance, utility, rescue, disaster recovery, and otherwise mixed-traffic engine, most notably designed to safely withstand operation in high and rough wind conditions. This includes the PS-IX/a, PS-IX/b and PS-IX/c classes.

Purpose
The Seafarer was designed as a modular and easily modified slow, stable dual tank-tender engine with extensive water and fuel capacity, changeable weight and an adjustable configuration. This made it invaluable for rescuing stranded goods and passengers in harsh conditions, which were very common in the local area.

Design
The Seafarer was mostly based on B.R.S.C's previous 0-6-0 tank engine designs, as well as other configurations, with an additional 1-2 tenders, and large side tanks specially designed to be stable. Many design elements tested in the B.R.S.C Scot, Columbia, Western Adams, Duck-Oliver, and Montague -Types were utilised in this locomotive. The Seafarer was noticeably heavy, with various removable weights. It also featured a fully enclosed cab-tender area, with far greater visibility than usual, owing partly to a lot more glass than usual, which was thick, tempered and wired.

The class employed a mechanism which ensured that the tenders were always emptied of water before the side tanks, to maintain maximum stability. This mechanism was usually soundly reliable. However, one did fail on the N.C.D.R (North Central Districts Railway) on September 8th, <1957? 60s?>, and almost caused the loss of several staff workers. This promptly caused the return of the class to B.R.S.C by the N.C.D.R and another railway company, with several others following suit in the next few years, though many were satisfied with the current performance.

The locomotives didn't require their tenders for full operation, and some were delivered without them. These were then classified as the Class PS-IX/a and Class PS-IX/b. Both variants had fully enclosed cabs, owing to the modular components and design. Also due to the modular design, the PS-IX/b had an enlargened coal bunker; the Ps-IX/a was very limited without this extension.

There was another subclass, the Class PS-IX/c, but little is known about it at this stage.