How would Bulleid have improved his Pacifics?
REFERRING to Peter Kelly’s most interesting article‘Storm before the Calm’in issue 277, I have often wondered what view Oliver Bulleid would have taken of the shortcomings of his magnificent Merchant Navy class?
I believe he was in Ireland when the Jarvis rebuilding was embarked upon, but I feel that, had nationalisation not taken place and Bulleid still been at Eastleigh, any rebuilding would have taken a different course. I wonder what other readers think?
For example, could the leak-prone oilbaths have been replaced by an oilbath constructed of UPVC or some such similar modern material – a rebuild which would then have been applied, without doubt, to the light Pacifics as well? It is fortunate that so many of the latter have been saved, but I am very sad that only one, currently out of service, carries the full Southern Railway Bulleid livery, which would act both as a tribute to their designer and the railway he served.
I hope very much that, when No. 35011 General Steam Navigation is complete, it will carry that full livery and name! Also that, much sooner, more of the surviving light Pacifics will be turned out in full Southern livery, as – solely – Blackmoor Vale is currently, while postnationalisation 92 Squadron is bravely carrying the full livery as well, though necessarily with British Railways on the tender, reflecting its build date.
A final point. The excellent model Merchant Navies on page 76 of issue 277 are imperfect in one way, and this is clearly illustrated by comparing the models illustrated with the photographs on page 74 of Issue 277, where the bottom edge of the front casing on each side is returned right round at the base. This is particularly clear in the illustration of French Line C.G.T. and the French presidential special where the returned side casing has been picked out in white.) BR cut off this returned casing, as do the models illustrated, therefore the model in SR green is incorrect. It is a great shame that no model apparently carries Southern Railway lettering.
John Gilbert, Cradley, Herefordshire.