Preserved Bulleid Pacifics

Like many others in my own small way the mid '60's saw me sadly watch the Southern Railways once magnificent fleet of 140 Bulleid Pacific’s become increasingly unkempt, dwindle in numbers, and yet amazingly still manage to put up some fine performances right to the end of steam in July 1967. Fortunately three were saved from the cutters torch, unrebuilt Battle of Britain 34051 Winston Churchill as part of the national collection, West Country 34023 Blackmore Vale by the Bulleid Preservation Society and 35028 Clan Line by the Merchant Navy Locomotive Preservation Society. Then later thanks to a large number being sold for scrap to Woodham Bros Barry and then stored a further 8 unrebuilt and 10 rebuilt light Pacific’s along with 10 more Merchant Navy's were also preserved. Whether it be Bulleid's original Spam cans or Jarvis's rebuilds they have always been my favourite UK steam design.