Debut contract for Merchant ‘un-rebuild’

A restoration contract to main line standard for the unique fabricated trailing truck from Swindon & Cricklade Railway-based Merchant Navy 35011 General Steam Navigation has been awarded to North Norfolk Railway Engineering. It is a crucial step towards the owning group’s vision of an original MN with air-smoothed casing and Bulleid’s patented chain driven valve gear.

With the ex-barry locomotive in a heavily stripped condition – including missing its vital central crank axle, this has been the driving force behind the decision to return it to the original design.

Unlike the ‘Light Pacifics’, all the Merchant Navy class was rebuilt by BR with conventional valve gear, making this ‘reverse un-rebuild’ project unique.