Now, here's a real First:
Under 'British Railways', all of the 'Bulleid Pacifics' in the 'Merchant Navy Class' (Nos. 35xxx) were 'Rebuilt' (Air Smoothed Casing and Chain Driven Valve Gear, etc. removed and the Locomotive converted to a more 'Conventional' design - for ease of maintenance, etc.). Attention was then directed to the 'Bulleid Light Pacifics' of the 'Battle of Britain' and 'West Country Class' (Nos. 34xxx) ; but this exercise was never completed. However, this means that we are very fortunate to have examples of both 'Rebuilt' and 'Unrebuilt' 'Bulleid Light Pacific' Locomotives running on our Preserved Railways today, but only 'Rebuilt' examples of the 'Merchant Navy Class'. This is all about to change:
35011 'General Steam Navigation', is an 'ex-Barry' ('Rebuilt') Locomotive and privately owned. This will be donated to, the newly formed, 'General Steam Navigation Locomotive Restoration Society' who plan to Restore this Locomotive to its original 'Unrebuilt' condition (complete with Air Smoothed Casing and Chain Driven Valve Gear, etc.). It has not been seen in this form since 1959, having been 'Rebuilt' in July that year.
For more information, please use the link below:
http://www.35011gsn.co.uk/about-us.html
The Society plans to launch a Share Issue in the Autumn, to raise money and enable this important Project to proceed.
PW