The Hurricane-Battle of Britain
In 1945 Southern Railway introduced a fleet of ‘Bulleid’ Light Pacific Locomotives to a design by Oliver Bulleid. They were created as a smaller version of the Merchant Navy Class loco with their 18-ton axle loading and 8 foot 6 inch wide cabs enabling the class to be used almost anywhere on the Southern Region.
In May 1945, towards the end of WWII the Air Ministry decided to name 40 of these light pacific locomotives, after famous airfields, aircraft, squadrons and others associated with the Battle of Britain. This came as a tribute to the part they played in defeating the Luftwaffe mainly over territory served by the Southern Railway.
Today there is good demand from both railwayana and RAF enthusiasts for objects and memorabilia associated with these great trains.
About nine years ago the Plymouth and Cornwall Air Training Corps were gifted two heavy plaques depicting the nameplate and RAF badge that once adorned the great Hurricane Battle of Britain Class locomotive. The nameplate, in heavy bronze, is a near exact replica of the with raised letter ‘HURRICANE, BATTLE OF BRITAIN CLASS’, it measures 126cm x 22.50cm. The crest showing the RAF Badge has an enamelled centre within a heavy metal frame, measuring 71cm x 54cm.
They have now been consigned to auction at Plymouth Auction Rooms to raise money for the Corp. Whilst original nameplates can sell for thousands of pounds these are conservatively estimated in the region of just £500 each.
The Hurricane loco was built in July 1947 and proved valuable when the new standard design ‘Britannia’ pacifics had to be withdrawn from service on the Great Eastern Lines out of Liverpool Street for modification, returning to the Southern by May 1952. It was withdrawn from 83D Exmouth Junction shed in April 1964 as the Western Region began dieselisation of the main line to Exeter then stored at Eastleigh Works until November 1964 and despatched to Birds, Llanelly that month, where it lingered until early 1965.
Both plaques will be auctioned on 6th December, Lot 182 and 183, at Plymouth Auction Rooms.
