The 'Merchant Navy' class were the largest and most powerful steam locomotives built by the Southern Railway. Designed by O.V.S.Bulleid they were first introduced in 1941.
They had a number of novel features, the most noticeable being the air-smoothed casing. Other innovations were an all steel welded boiler and chain driven valve gear enclosed in an oil bath.
'Port Line' was one of the second batch of 'Merchant Navy' class locomotives, built after nationalisation and entered service on 11th December 1948. Initially allocated to Bournemouth shed, 35027 was used to haul the prestigious express trains of that era such as 'The Bournemouth Belle' and 'The Royal Wessex'.
35027 was named 'Port Line' at a ceremony at Southampton Docks on the 24th April 1950 and soon after was transferred to Stewarts Lane Depot, Battersea and could frequently be seen hauling Channel boat trains including the famous 'Golden Arrow' between London Victoria and Dover.
Port Line waits to depart Dover Marine with the Golden Arrow in May 1951
All the 'Merchant Navy' Pacifics were rebuilt between 1956 and 1959. The modified engines retained the many excellent qualities of the original design but had the more troublesome features removed. 'Port Line' emerged from Eastleigh Works in May 1957 looking the more conventional locomotive it is today and returned to Bournemouth Shed. It soon became a favourite engine of both shed staff and crews and was unofficially known as 'Bournemouth's Best Engine'.
Port Line waits to depart from Waterloo with a Bournemouth Express in May 1964
In April 1959 'Port Line' saw Royal duty hauling The Queen and Prince Charles from Southampton to Windsor. From 1963 onwards, when 'The Pines Express' had been routed away from the Somerset & Dorset, 35027 began working frequently on this train between Bournemouth and Oxford.
Withdrawn in September 1966, the locomotive spent six months in store at Eastleigh before being sent to Barry Scrapyard.
Port Line awaits rescue at Barry Scrapyard
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