THE BULLEID SOCIETY |
With the impending end of steam on British Railways in July 1967, a group of drivers and their colleagues from Nine Elms, the motive power depot near Waterloo, formed the Bulleid Preservation Society in 1966 to purchase a Bulleid Pacific. Initially the two Battle of Britain class Pacifics, No. 34066 'Spitfire' and No. 34086 '219 Squadron' were considered suitable locomotives. However with the end of steam in July 1967, West Country Class Pacifics Nos. 34023 'Blackmoor Vale' and 34102 'Lapford' were the only unrebuilt Bulleid Pacifics remaining in traffic. ‘Blackmoor Vale’ was the locomotive purchased as it was considered to be the more mechanically sound. The engine and tender were purchased for £1,900 and the locomotive transferred to Longmoor, the site of the Longmoor Military Railway. BR stated on the bill of sale that 'No Guarantee can be given as to the condition and suitability for future use'. |
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West Country Class 21C123 "BLACKMORE VALE"* In Southern Railway livery Courtesy: The Brine Postcard Collection |
With the closure of Longmoor in 1970, the Society, now called the Bulleid Society Ltd. found a new home at Liss on the short-lived Longmoor Steam Railway. Another move occurred in September 1971 with the closure of the Longmoor Steam railway. No. 34023 was moved by rail to Haywards Heath, Sussex, and then by low loader to the Bluebell Railway, which has been her home ever since. Five years later, in May 1976, No. 21C123 'Blackmoor Vale' returned to traffic on the Bluebell, resplendent in Malachite green. She was repainted in Brunswick green in 1984, her final BR livery, with additional cosmetic work being undertaken to give the locomotive her 1967 appearance. In 2003, to commemorate Oliver’s birthday, ‘Blackmoor Vale’ was temporarily renamed ‘O V S Bulleid’ and uses that name from 19 September to the end of October each year. ‘Blackmoor Vale’ was overhauled and a new tender body built in the Bluebell's Workshop, returning to traffic in August 2000. The Bluebell also has the Battle of Britain Class locomotive No. 34059 ‘Sir Archibald Sinclair’ which is in course of restoration. A great deal of information and many photographs are available on the Bulleid Society’s website http://locos-in-profile.co.uk/Bulleid_Society . Oliver’s son, H A V (‘Anthony’) Bulleid is President and the Society would welcome new members. |
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Bulleid Pacific 4- 6- 2 35028 "CLAN LINE" This preserved loco has had the original smoothed casing removed. Courtesy: The Brine Postcard Collection |
The Bluebell Line The Bluebell Railway was the first preserved standard gauge passenger line in the world. It runs from Sheffield Park in Sussex via Horsted Keynes to Kingscote and is currently being extended to East Grinstead, where it will connect with the main line to London. It has a regular timetable, special events for families and children, and is a great day out, especially if combined with a visit to the beautiful Sheffield Park Gardens, which are within walking distance. Members of the Bulleid family are assured of a warm welcome at the Bluebell. Visit www.bluebell-railway.co.uk for full details of the railway. |
| * The place after which this locomotive is named can be spelt in either of the two ways shown on this page. We believe this to be the original spelling used on the loco - but no doubt, someone will correct us if we are wrong! |
© M.E. Brine. This page last updated
31 July, 2009
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