The Southern Railway West Country and Battle of Britain classes—collectively known as Light Pacifics or informally as “Spam Cans” due to their unorthodox appearance—are a distinctive class of 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotives designed for the Southern Railway by Chief Mechanical Engineer Oliver Bulleid. Developed to be both cheaper and easier to build, these locomotives incorporated wartime innovations such as welded steel for key components and the use of steel fireboxes. This modern approach not only reduced weight and construction time but also reflected the economic constraints of the post-war era.
A total of 110 Light Pacifics were constructed between 1945 and 1950, serving reliably on the Southern Region until the end of steam in 1967. Despite their innovative design, early performance limitations led to a rebuilding program in the late 1950s, with fifty locomotives modified to resemble the rebuilt Merchant Navy class. Today, twenty of these iconic engines survive in preservation, celebrated for their engineering ingenuity and the enduring legacy they’ve established among railway enthusiasts and modellers alike.
Somerset & Dorset
34043 Combe Martin
4-6-2 (7P 5F)
- 34015 Exmouth
- 34028 Eddystone (Rebuilt: Aug 58, Preserved)
- 34029 Lundy (Rebuilt Dec 58)
- 34037 Clovelly (Rebuilt Mar 58)
- 34039 Boscastle (Rebuilt Jan 59, Preserved)
01/07/61 Templecombe 1020 Liverpool – Bournemouth West P116 BRSSLv2 - 34040 Crewkerne (Rebuilt: Oct 60)
25/08/62 Shepton Montague S&D Sunset
25/08/62 Midford S&D Sunset
25/08/62 Bath Bank S&D Sunset - 34041 Wilton
- 34042 Dorchester (Rebuilt Jan 59)
- 34043 Combe Martin
18/08/62 Oakhill S&D Sunset
01/09/62 Sturminster Newton Pines Express S&D Sunset
01/09/62 Pines Express S&D Sunset - 34044 Woolacombe (Rebuilt May 60)
05/07/59 Evercreech Junction S&D Sunset - 34045 Ottery St. Mary (Rebuilt Oct 58)
- 34046 Braunton (Rebuilt Feb 59, Preserved)
18/07/61 Midford S&D Sunset - 34047 Callington (Rebuilt Oct 58)
- 34048 Crediton (Rebuilt Mar 59)
- 34051 Winston Churchill (Preserved)
- 34053 Sir Keith Park (Rebuilt Nov 58, Preserved)
- 34062 17 Squadron (Rebuilt Apr 59)
- 34067 Tangmere (Preserved)
- 34079 141 Squadron
- 34093 Saunton (Rebuilt May 60)
- 34095 Brentor (Rebuilt Jan 61)
- 34099 Lynmouth
- 34102 Lapford
- 34103 Calstock
01/09/62 Shepton Montague S&D Sunset - 34105 Swanage
- 34107 Blandford Forum (Named Blandford until Oct 52)
- 34108 Wincanton (Rebuilt May 61)
- 34109 Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory (Rebuilt Mar 61)
- 34110 66 Squadron
34006 Bude???
34057 Biggin Hill????
Modelling
Dapol first announced its N scale model of the West Country/Battle of Britain classes back in 2011. Since then, the model has undergone a lengthy development process—with several updates and engineering prototypes revealed at N Gauge shows over the years.
- 2S-034-002 – 34066 ‘Spitfire’ in BR green with late crest
- 2S-034-002D – 34066 ‘Spitfire’ in BR green with late crest – Digital Fitted
- 2S-034-003 – 34110 ’66 Squadron’ in BR green with early emblem
- 2S-034-003D – 34110 ’66 Squadron’ in BR green with early emblem
- 2S-034-005 – 34030 ‘Watersmeet’ in BR green with late crest
- 2S-034-005D – 34030 ‘Watersmeet’ in BR green with late crest
More Information
- Rebuilt Bulleids.” BackTrack, vol. 13, no. 5, May 1999, pp. x–y.
- Jenkinson, David. “Bulleid’s Light Pacifics.” Modellers’ BackTrack, vol. 1, no. 1, Apr.–May 1991, pp. x–y.
- Russell, J. A Pictorial History of Southern Locomotives. Haynes, 1991, pp.325-337.