Bulleid Pacifics - Past or Present

BB 34110 66 Squadron also never carried a crest of any description, as the manufacturer went out of business before it was outshopped in January 1951. This was due to a production delay, when there was an attempt to make design changes to a two-cylinder locomotive. Naturally Bulleid made his opposition felt when leaving for Inchicore, and this plan was dropped, resulting in 66 Squadron entering service as originally intended six months after 34109 Sir Trafford Leigh Mallory (the second longest name of a BB after 34090 Sir Eustace Missenden, Southern Railway) entered service.

 

As I don't think anyone has replied to this query, its better late than never!

There are four Merchants in preservation that are of the original batch (five if you include 35011, which was a solitary 1944 example). The grey and lined yellow livery was the works paint scheme prior to painting in wartime black or malachite green. My sources tell me that all MNs up to 21C16 Penisular and Oriental S.N.Co. had the inverted horseshoe smokebox plate, but more could have been so-equipped. All MNs carried streamlining forward of the cylinders and high sided tenders (of varying capacities) until modification by BR. A modification made by the Southern was the substitution of a flat-fronted cab for a v-shape, in an effort to improve visibility.

The four/five original batch MNs are as thus:

35005 Canadian Pacific
35006 Peninsular and Oriental S. N. Co.
35009 Shaw Savill
35010 Blue Star

and 35011 General Steam Navigation

 

35011 was the first of the second batch. It did however have a unique rounded design of cladding between cylinders and buffer beam, but this was removed in 1947.

Also, as far as I am aware, the only two locomotives to carry a "horseshoe" smokebox plate were 21C1 and 21C2.

 

Ah, yes. 21C12 was in January 1945, 21C11 was in December 1944, so it wasn't as solitary as I thought... As for the roundels, I quote from Alan Partridge: '"I stand corrected" said the man in orthopaedic shoes'. I was thinking of the pointed cowling above the smokebox door, which the entire first series had. Only 21C1 and 21C2 had the inverted horseshoe, and these were replaced in 1942 with a roundel.

 

Yeah, Thanks James for repeating the crest I have already memtioned in the link!

Does anyone know when and where she will be mainline running?

 

As a complete ignoramous when it comes to steam's mechanics, but as a lover of what steam engines do, I would really appreciate the answer to a question that has been troubling me for some time. When the unrebuilt Bullieds suffered oil bath fires, how difficult was it to move them to sheds or works for repair, given that their means of lubrication had presumably been burned off, and the baths themselves badly heat-distorted. I'd really appreciate the information.

 

I didn't think that the things suffered from oil bath fires, the fires that they were noted for was the oil soaked boiler lagging under the casing going up in flames, which didn't really affect the mechanical side.

 

I think you need to look at the problem that Tangmere had with her Oil bath! It wasn't a fire - it was a case of the Oil bath had broke! Hence being a mainline loco and needing some urgent parts.... In that case the help of a MHR Bulleid carcase!!

 

Didn't think it was a failure of the oil bath but a failure of motion parts contained within.

 

Don't confuse the issue 34007. ](*,) Tangmere's inside cylinder connecting rod broke and ended up poking a hole in the sump before she came to a halt. This has nothing to do with the fires Tony asked about. Chessie's reply is correct, in that it was inadequate sealing of the oil bath that led to oil getting into the wheel pockets and being thrown up under the casing, thus soaking the boiler lagging, which could then be ignited by sparks from heavy braking.

 

I don't think it was the connecting rod, I thought it was a combination lever that let go? Obviously there are a fair few registered users on here that know more about what happened than I do though...!

Incidentally components 'letting go' inside the sump weren't exactly uncommon; if you know where to look there are still a few scars inside 34007's sump where a union link went in the 1960's.

 

Thanks to you all for responding. I understand now about the oil leaking, rather than igniting in the sump. Cheers.
I was surprised to read that 34007's sump survived it's years at Barry. I suppose quality parts really do last!

 

I've heard that too; although I have been underneath many a time and never thought about looking!! Mind you a new one could have been made????

 

I believe you are right, my mistake! It was the centre combination lever.

http://www.stuart9941.fotopic.net/c955400.html

viewtopic.php?f=80&t=4868

 

Although a small hole it could have been alot worse for Tangmere! So hat off the crew at the time!! But without a donor her mainline running today wouldn't have been possible so soon!

 

It helps when they're covered in oil. ;-)

 

It helps when they're covered in oil. ;-)[/quote:1m0a7rrs]

All depends how and where!! ;-)

 

There were certainly scars when the valve gear was being put in there, I can assure you of that. You want to actually get inside the sump to have a look.

Of course you can see a lot more of it when there's no 'waggly-bits' in the way.

 

Hi all I was watching a DVD by Oakwood video the other month and there was a Bulleid pacific at Winchester railway station with red painted rods on it. Why had the rods been painted red for and how many other loco’s had there rods painted.


Thanks

 

Once again a bit late, but probably it was towards the end of steam, when shed staff saw fit to embellish locomotives with white smokebox door fittings, buffers and connecting rods etc. As such, it was a completely unofficial exercise to add some dignity to otherwise poorly maintained locomotives in the run-down of steam. There are several photographs of similar treatment to a Q1 class member (33006), which was a popular railtour locomotive before withdrawal. Hope this helps.