Merchant Navy Class Locomotive - Ellerman Lines

Hornby released their model of the rebuilt Merchant Navy class locomotive 'Ellerman Lines' in 2002. The model was released for one year only; the original locomotive is on display at the National Railway Museum.

Hornby 4-6-2 'Ellerman Lines'

The rebuilt Merchant Navy locomotives epitomise for me the age of steam. These heavy-weight Pacific locomotives, designed for Top Link passenger services on the Southern Railway, were conceived during hostilities of World War 2. The Merchant Navy class locos were nicknamed “Spam Cans” (as other light pacifics of the West Country and Battle of Britain classes) due to their unorthodox appearance. A total of 30 locomotives were constructed, all named after steam ship lines operating out of Southampton Docks. In accordance with their powerful stature the Merchant Navy locos were entrusted premiere passenger trains, such as the all Pullman Bournemouth Belle and Golden Arrow.

Between 1956 and 1960 the entire class was rebuilt (appearance as per photograph, with smoke deflectors added) with lessons learned being applied to many Battle of Britain / West Country cousins. Liveries carried include the original Malachite Green, affectionately known as “Sunshine Green” with yellow lining that was employed by the Southern Railway. The Merchant Navy’s also were one of the few classes to carry the experimental blue livery proposed by British Railways for express passenger locomotives. Ultimately, all members were painted British Railways Brunswick Green with orange and black lining.

Wanting to add this particular model to my collection (not available from Hornby for 11 years) I have been fortunate enough to track one down in pristine condition at Olivia's Trains. I am waiting for delivery with great anticipation....
 

Bulleid Spam Cans

The Bulleid Light Pacific locomotives were introduced in 1945 by the Southern Railway to a design by Oliver Bulleid. They were designed as a smaller version of the Merchant Navy Class. Their 18 ton axle loading and 8 foot 6 inch wide cabs enabled the class to be used almost anywhere on the Southern Region. Later members, 34071 onwards, were built with wider 9 foot cabs. These locomotives were attached to wider 5,500 gallon tenders. They were often referred to as 'Spam-Cans' because of their unconventional streamlined appearance.

They incorporated the same novel features as the Merchant Navy Class including an all-steel welded boiler, chain-driven valve-gear, inside motion enclosed in an oil bath and 'air-smoothed' casing.

All of this engineering detail meant nothing to me as a kid when I would spend hours during summer school holidays in the 50s train-spotting on the Southern mainline that ran from Victoria to Dover. My favoured location was just downline from Teynham station, which provided good views over a considerable length of the track. The most memorable times were to see a Bulleid Light Pacific from the 'West Country' or 'Battle of Britain' class emblazoned with golden arrows to casing sides and one angled on the front of the boiler housing as it thundered by hauling the Golden Arrow express - suitably named the Flèche D'Or on the run from Calais to Paris. Young heads were filled with romantic ideas of travelling to Paris in one of the Pullman carriages that formed the train....

Battle of Britain class No. 34072 '257 Squadron'

Many years later in October 2003 I attended a steam festival at The Bluebell Line in Sussex. This big kid at heart was thrilled to enjoy a train journey steam hauled by West Country Pacific no. 21C123 'Blackmore Vale' double-headed with visiting LNER V2 2-6-2 no. 60800 'Green Arrow'.

'Green Arrow'

The sheer grace of these magnificent locomotives from a bygone era is breathtaking and fortunately many of them have been preserved by Heritage Lines throughout the UK. I look forward to the day when I can enjoy one of the excursions that run on mainline routes and experience the thrill of being steam hauled at speed....