No. 34039

SOUTHERN RAILWAY REBUILT WEST CONTRY CLASS 4-6-2 34039 “Boscastle”

Locomotive 21C139 was built in 1946 at the Southern Railway’s Brighton works and entered traffic on 16th September, originally painted in the striking Southern malachite green livery. Based at Stewarts Lane shed, it mainly worked trains from London Victoria to Kent coast resorts including Margate and Ramsgate, as well as the ports of Folkestone and Dover. The locomotive was named “Boscastle” after the picturesque North Cornish village.

Designed by Oliver Bulleid for the Southern Railway, 21C139 was a versatile mixed-traffic locomotive — one of 110 built, and one of just 20 preserved today.

In November 1948, “Boscastle” moved to Brighton shed, taking on duties to Salisbury, Bournemouth, and Southampton. It also worked late-night trains and parcels trains from Brighton to London, returning on the early morning newspaper train from London Bridge. Notably, “Boscastle” became the first West Country class locomotive to carry the new British Railways standard passenger green livery in August 1949.

Between 1947 and 1948, after nationalisation in 1948, “Boscastle” was renumbered 34039 and, between July and September that year, became the regular engine on the prestigious Golden Arrow Pullman train.

In November 1958, due for a Heavy General overhaul, “Boscastle” was sent to Eastleigh Works for rebuilding. It emerged in January 1959 as a Rebuilt West Country class locomotive.

One of “Boscastle’s” more unusual assignments was on 27th April 1963, when it hauled a football special to Birmingham for an FA Cup semi-final between Southampton FC and Manchester United at Villa Park. Several trains ran from Hampshire stations that day, with locomotives serviced and stabled at Tyseley for the return journey.

The modernisation of British Railways led to the first withdrawals of the West Country class in 1963. “Boscastle” was withdrawn in May 1965, after covering some 745,000 miles during its 19 years of service. It was then stored at Eastleigh shed before being sold to Woodham Bros scrapyard in Barry, South Wales, in September of that year.

On a visit to Barry scrapyard with four friends, James Tawes was advised that “Boscastle” was in the best condition, and in November 1972 he purchased the locomotive outright. “Boscastle” arrived at the Great Central Railway on 22nd January 1973, becoming the first ex-British Railways mainline locomotive on the preserved line.

On 7th November 1992, “Boscastle” moved under its own power for the first time. After a formal launch in 1993, it became a popular and reliable member of the GCR fleet.

Towards the end of 1996, the locomotive’s firebox began to develop problems. After a period out of traffic for repairs, it returned to service, but further issues with boiler tubes and the firebox persisted. In June 2000, the decision was made to withdraw “Boscastle” for a full overhaul.

The overhaul began in 2005 and is still ongoing. Progress was promising until a break-in resulted in the theft of £300,000 worth of replacement parts, setting the restoration group back. Despite this setback, “Boscastle” is expected to return better than ever once the overhaul is complete.