The Merchant Navy Locomotive Preservation Society
A support crew circa 1995
The Merchant Navy Locomotive Society was formed in 1965 with the dual aims of saving one of the unique Merchant Navy Class locomotives for posterity and maintaining it in running order. A fund of £3,850 was raised to purchase a MN class locomotive. Initially 35022 "Holland-America Line" was selected but as she was condemned the second choice 35028 "Clan Line" was purchased. So one month after her farewell run in 1967, Clan Line became the property of the "Merchant Navy Locomotive Preservation Society".
However, at this time BR had imposed a total ban on steam on the UK main lines. This ban lasted until 1972 when BR decided to allow some steam specials. Clan Line was one of the first preserved locomotives to participate and in 1974 she hauled her first revenue earning train in preservation from Basingstoke to Westbury. She thus commenced her long and distinguished career in private ownership.
The site that first played home to the loco was the Army Railway at Longmoor Camp in Hampshire but as the camp was to close very soon, the loco was moved, first to Liss then to the old SR running shed at Ashford in Kent. Unfortunately, because of trespass onto electrified lines BR banned steam running over the third rail system in the Ashford area. This prompted another move for 35028, this time to the Bulmer Railway Centre at Hereford where she was based for over 11 years. From this location she made many successful forays onto the main line, traveling as far north as Carlisle and hauling trains in Wales and the north of England.
The Cundarder Oct 25th 1995
In 1985 BR decide to run a series of steam hauled specials from the old Great Central Railway London terminus of Marylebone to Shakespeare's birthplace at Stratford upon Avon. Clan Line was among a string of great locomotives including LNER A3 Class 4472 "Flying Scotsman", LNER A4 Class 4498 "Sir Nigel Gresley" LMS Coronation Pacific 46559 " Duchess of Hamilton" and SR King Arthur Class 777 "Sir Lamiel" to be selected for these duties. She was then moved to a temporary home in diesel depot at Marlylebone station. These trains ran almost every week from 1985 to 1990 when the operation finished.
In Southall Shed during 1990 -94 overhaul
However, Clan line was now to return closer to her home on Southern metals moving to her current base in the old diesel shed next to the GWR main line at Southall where the society set up a full workshop for repairing and maintaining the locomotive.
Refitting the boiler 1993
After 11 years in residence at the former DMU depot at Southall, No 35028 returned to Stewarts Lane as an operational engine, almost 49 years after its first allocation to Shed 73A In March 1950. MNLPS took up residence in the former electric maintenance shed The move was made primarily to support the regular VSOE British Pullman steam hauled services from London Victoria, Clan Line having already spent much of 1994 at Stewarts Lane. The decision to make the move a permanent one was driven by the need to reduce complexity and the associated cost of light engine movements. The move to Stewarts Lane is both momentous and historic. As one of a pool of Bulleid Pacifics allocated to 73A Clan Line operated from there in the 1950’s hauling famous trains including The Night Ferry and of course The Golden Arrow. 35028's boiler certificate was due to expire on 31st March 2001. The society agreed with VSOE that the locomotive would remain at the "Lane" during the major overhaul, with the intention of returning to traffic hauling the prestigious VSOE Pullmans in about three years.
In the event the overhaul took longer than anticipated and Clan Line returned to traffic late in 2006. Details and photographs of the overhaul and the return to service appear elsewhere on this web site.
The Society is an independent organisation, registered as a charity. (No. 266801)
A company limited by guarantee (England No 1114826)
Registered Office: 12 Inglewood Avenue,
Heatherside,
Camberley,
Surrey
GU15 1RJ
VAT Reg. Number: 238 9690 08
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