Bulleid Power: The "Merchant Navy" Class
This book is the first comprehensive survey of these technically advanced and eye-catching locomotives. Emerging in 1941 from Eastleigh Works, the first 'Merchant Navy' class locomotive, No. 21C1 Channel Packet, designed by O.V.S. Bulleid, the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Southern Railway, was destined to become the forerunner of thirty members of the class. To many, the thought of a new locomotive design in wartime was unthinkable, and it was not until some years later that the class began to show the power that its designer intended. By this time the successes and failures of the class were only too apparent — brilliant one day and troublesome the next. The decision was therefore made to rebuild the class, retaining its good design features and replacing the problematical aspects with designs based on more orthodox mechanical engineering principles. Mechanically the rebuilding was a great success, although the uniqueness of the original locomotive was lost and the outline was more conventional. However, the Southern Region of British Railways now possessed some of the most modern passenger steam locomotives.
In Bulleid Power: The 'Merchant Navy' Class A.J. Fry draws on previously unpublished material to review the history and construction of the locomotives, as well as devoting separate chapters to their liveries and external variations, and the different forms of tender they ran with throughout their working lives. The reminiscences of drivers, firemen and fitters are used to give first-hand insights into the operation of the class, while each locomotive is also dealt with separately, featuring photographs in original and rebuilt guises, and a short history, including details of naming ceremonies, renumbering and withdrawal from service. Useful quick-access appendices and over 180 photographs and plans complete this in-depth study of an innovative class of locomotive, which should be essential reading for all those with an interest in railway history and mechanical engineering.
Hardback with dust jacket, 196 pages, black & white photographs
Condition: Very Good
ISBN: 9780862997519
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