- Class: P
- Wheels: 0-6-0T
- Built: 1910
- Numbers Carried: 27, ROD 5027, A27, 1027, 31027
- Last Operational: November 1974
- Current Status: Overhaul in progress
- Owned By: Bluebell Railway
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The P-class tank locomotives were, in design terms, an updated copy of the LBSCR Terriers. Coming to the Bluebell in 1961, for two years it carried the name “Primrose”. In 1963 it was repainted into full SECR passenger livery, and, with No.323, was a mainstay of the Bluebell’s operational fleet for much of that decade.
No.27 was dismantled in 1978 for a “quick” overhaul, but, as was so often the case at the time, this was found to be beyond the skills of the basic workshop capability we had back then, so the restoration stalled.
The restoration of 27 to working condition re-started in 2011 following a delay of over 30 years. The work on the locomotive is being undertaken by the Villas Gang and other volunteers, supported by the fund raising efforts of the ‘Fenchurch Fund’. Major work is required on the boiler and frames of the locomotive, the replacement of the cylinders, as well as some significant mechanical renewal and replacement of plate work, including the tanks.
You can contribute towards the overhaul of this locomotive via the Bluebell Railway Trust.
→ Find out more
→ Project 27 Blog
→ Little Loco Group website
→ Little Loco Group Facebook Page
→ News archive up to 2015
