Model of the Week – Bulleid Q1 class – C1

Today’s model of the week is possibly the most ugly of the 100% steam Locoyard fleet of locomotives. Hornby’s model is very good and is worth checking out (click here for it’s review). The real thing is an interesting locomotive type and as with all model of the week blog posts, we will now look at its history…

The Q1 class owes it’s distinctive look to the highly innovative thinking of OVS Bulleid during a time of wartime Austerity measures. To reduce weight, the class had no running plate or splashers and a simple box-shape. The innovations lead ro a reduction of 18 tons in weight than an equivalent locomotive.

Built in Brighton works in 1942; C1 was the first member of the 40 Q1 class locomotives to be completed. The class were only built to last until the end of the second world war, but they proved to be so efficient, reliable and powerful that they lasted to the end of steam. In fact, the Q1 class were the last and most powerful 0-6-0 produced in the UK and were rated 5F by British Railways.

The prototype had one failing – its brakes were poor when hauling unfitted goods trains, but then an “austerity” design was never going to be perfect.

At nationalisation; C1 was renumbered 33001 by British Railways and remained in service until withdrawal in 1964.

Due to the class being so unique and distinctive it was felt necessary to preserve one in the National Collection. As C1 was the first Q1 class; it was selected and became the only survivor of it’s type.