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Bulleid Leader class

Discussion in 'Photography' started by neildimmer, Feb 28, 2021.

  1. neildimmer

    neildimmer Resident of Nat Pres

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    Possibly the ugliest steam loco ever to run in Britain, and just to replace a tank engine class!!!


    The Leader was a class of experimental 0-6-0+0-6-0 articulated steam locomotive, produced in the United Kingdom to the design of the innovative engineer Oliver Bulleid. The Leader was an attempt to extend the life of steam traction by eliminating many of the operational drawbacks associated with existing steam locomotives. It was intended as a replacement for the ageing fleet of M7 class tank engines still in operation on the Southern Railway (SR). Design work began in 1946 and development continued after the nationalisation of the railways in 1948, under the auspices of British Railways (BR).

    The Leader project was part of Bulleid's desire to modernise the steam locomotive based on experience gained with the Southern Railway's fleet of electric stock. Bulleid considered that attitudes towards the labour-intensity of steam operation had changed during the post-war period, favouring dieselisation and electrification. In an effort to demonstrate the continued potential of steam, Bulleid pushed forward the boundaries of steam-power, allowing it to compete with diesel and electric locomotives in terms of labour-saving and ease of operation.

    The design incorporated many novel features, such as the use of thermic siphons, bogies and cabs at each end of the locomotive, resulting in its unique—for a steam locomotive—modern diesel-like appearance. Several of its innovations proved to be unsuccessful however, partly accounting for the project's cancellation in the early 1950s. Five Leader locomotives were begun, although only one was completed. The operational locomotive was trialled on the former Southern Railway network around Brighton. Problems with the design, indifferent reports on performance and political pressure surrounding spiralling development costs, led to all locomotives of the class being scrapped by 1951.

    36001 on test near Eastleigh SR
    https://tinyurl.com/3bwm4uz4
    Full collection
    36001 Brighton works 1/4/50 (April Fools was never like this)
    https://tinyurl.com/uvu45xhh

    Neil.
     
  2. Romsey

    Romsey Part of the furniture

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    Hi Neil,

    5/6 36001 is at Allbrook, just north of Eastleigh. ( Allbrook down home signals visible in the distance.)

    Cheers, Neil
     

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