Uploaded February 2021 | Updated September 2026, 5 days ago
Dividing opinions since introduced, the unique Bulleid Q1's were strong performers and a radical solution to a specific set of wartime requirements. Much effort went into the design to make them as free steaming, and as free running as possible.
So, not only were they strong - often cited as the most powerful 0-6-0's ever built, but they had a surprising turn of speed too. When first introduced they were permitted to run at speeds of up to 75mph and were more than capable of doing so - not bad for an austerity goods engine!
However, with their high pitched boiler and centre of gravity, this was reportedly pretty hairy on the footplate and they were soon limited to 55mph. But that's still pretty fast for an 0-6-0 right? Not surprisingly they were often found on passenger workings as well as goods trains.
During trials, the Q1 had ample pulling power to haul lengthy unfitted freight trains of over 900 tons at 45mph. Their Achilles heal however was the braking - to stop such a train at that speed took over 3 miles and during the trial resulted in a SPAD* of over a mile! By way of comparison, the much heavier Maunsell S15 could stop in just over half that distance.
The brief for this C1 was to represent the real loco as seen in photographs of her working on the Bluebell Railway in the mid 1990's. She was kept very clean when in West Sussex, but even the cleanest engines still get dirty in certain areas. The sides were given the oily rag look to simulate dirt and shine in a pleasing and prototypical combination.
A similar, but slightly more aged and worn look was requested for C24. For reference, BluffersToBuffers supplied images of the sole survivor as currently preserved in the NRM. If you haven't already - make sure you check out their excellent YouTube channel:
youtube.com/c/BlufferstoBuffers
The @officialhornby model raised the bar for RTR OO gauge locomotives. Although it’s now 18 years since first released, it’s still an excellent and superbly detailed model that is a fantastic basis for customisation.
The sound used in this video is taken from footage of C1 working in preservation, alongside archive recordings made by Peter Handford. The Peter Handford recordings are available through Old Thundridge Records and feature with their kind permission.
*SPAD = Signal Passed at Danger
Dividing opinions since introduced, the unique Bulleid Q1's were strong performers and a radical solution to a specific set of wartime requirements. Much effort went into the design to make them as free steaming, and as free running as possible.
So, not only were they strong - often cited as the most powerful 0-6-0's ever built, but they had a surprising turn of speed too. When first introduced they were permitted to run at speeds of up to 75mph and were more than capable of doing so - not bad for an austerity goods engine!
However, with their high pitched boiler and centre of gravity, this was reportedly pretty hairy on the footplate and they were soon limited to 55mph. But that's still pretty fast for an 0-6-0 right? Not surprisingly they were often found on passenger workings as well as goods trains.
During trials, the Q1 had ample pulling power to haul lengthy unfitted freight trains of over 900 tons at 45mph. Their Achilles heal however was the braking - to stop such a train at that speed took over 3 miles and during the trial resulted in a SPAD* of over a mile! By way of comparison, the much heavier Maunsell S15 could stop in just over half that distance.
The brief for this C1 was to represent the real loco as seen in photographs of her working on the Bluebell Railway in the mid 1990's. She was kept very clean when in West Sussex, but even the cleanest engines still get dirty in certain areas. The sides were given the oily rag look to simulate dirt and shine in a pleasing and prototypical combination.
A similar, but slightly more aged and worn look was requested for C24. For reference, BluffersToBuffers supplied images of the sole survivor as currently preserved in the NRM. If you haven't already - make sure you check out their excellent YouTube channel:
youtube.com/c/BlufferstoBuffers
The @officialhornby model raised the bar for RTR OO gauge locomotives. Although it’s now 18 years since first released, it’s still an excellent and superbly detailed model that is a fantastic basis for customisation.
The sound used in this video is taken from footage of C1 working in preservation, alongside archive recordings made by Peter Handford. The Peter Handford recordings are available through Old Thundridge Records and feature with their kind permission.
*SPAD = Signal Passed at Danger
