- Class: P
- Wheels: 0-6-0T
- Built: 1910
- Numbers Carried: 178, A178, 1178, S1178, 31178
- Last Overhaul Completed: February 2010
- Last Operational: 4 October 2020
- Current Status: Stored under cover at The One:One Collection, Margate, awaiting overhaul
- Owned By: Bluebell Railway
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The last of the four P-class tank locomotives to have steamed in preservation, 178 came to the Bluebell in 1969 after industrial service at Bowaters Paper Mill, where it carried the name “Pioneer II”.
Its best chance of restoration was seen to be outside the Bluebell Railway’s direct ownership, due to the railway already having two other Ps, and so it was sold to Southern Locomotives Ltd, who commenced its overhaul, at Sheffield Park. However, with the shift in emphasis of that group to become major providers of motive power to the Swanage Railway, it was decided more appropriate to transfer ownership of this ‘P’ class loco back to the Bluebell. This was achieved in mid 2006, thanks to funding made available by the Bluebell Railway Trust.
The overhaul was undertaken by the Loco Workshop working group, and the loco then run in full SECR lined green, after just a few weeks initially operating in its industrial guise as “Pioneer II”.
Sadly, having a crack in its cylinder, towards the end of its certificate the locomotive was capable of little more than light work. It was however ideal for light duties such as brake van rides, a role it fulfilled in 2017 on loan to the NRM in York. It will have replacement cylinders fitted at its next overhaul, once we see how those made for P-class No. 27 perform.
→ Find out more
→ Details of 2010 overhaul
→ The One:One Collection
