Canadian Pacific
overhaul of former Southern Railway Merchant Navy Class No.35005 Canadian Pacific
Canadian Pacific
Canadian Pacific is the oldest and fastest survivor of Oliver Bulleid’s Merchant Navy class.
It spent much of its life hauling heavy express trains from London to the South Coast, including those full of holiday makers or boat trains. It would also have been used for troop and freight movements during the Second World War. Built in Eastleigh in 1941 by a workforce that would have included many women, Canadian Pacific is an excellent local example of heavy engineering. It touched the lives of many throughout its working career, including those who worked on it and those who were hauled by it.
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We are delighted to announce the launch of this magnificent locomotive took place on the 19th March 2025.
Canadian Pacific was bought by the charter train company Steam Dreams in 2001 and operated for them by The Watercress Line, whilst being based at Ropley.
It was sold to The Watercress Line in 2006 and used until its boiler certificate expired in 2008; then it moved to undercover storage at Arlington Fleet Services in Eastleigh on 23rd September 2011.
A grant application was submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2014 and 2nd round approval was gained in April 2015 with a grant of £895,000.
Overhaul of the boiler is underway at Ropley with mechanical work carried out by a team of volunteers at Eastleigh, with some tasks done at Ropley. Work on the tender is also at Ropley, including fitting a new tank.
The scope of the boiler repairs is much greater than originally foreseen with a complete new inner firebox being made and fitted along with installation of over 2500 stays. This extra work, together with the impact of Covid on our own staff and that of suppliers, has caused a major delay to the project and extra cost. Additional funding has been obtained.
The mechanical work is almost finished, with all of the locomotive now on site at Ropley. We hope to see the loco in steam again and hauling trains on The Watercress Line in the near future.
The Final Phases of the Canadian Pacific Restoration project:
Canadian Pacific chassis arrives at Alresford
On the 25th April 2024 the chassis arrived back to The Watercress Line from Eastleigh Works. The chassis had been completely overhauled and reassembled by the volunteer led team at Eastleigh, with many components repaired or replaced. With all parts of 'Canadian Pacific' now at Ropley, the final phases of the restoration project can be completed.
Boiler hydraulics test complete
In May 2024 the team at Ropley boiler shop completed the hydraulics test for 'Canadian Pacific'. This test is carried out to prove the boiler does not leak or distort under pressure. A huge milestone for 'Canadian Pacific' and a testament to the hard work completed by our team of staff and volunteers.
Final Boiler Preparations
After a successful hydraulics test, the boiler team have made the final preparations for the next phase of tests. All the rubber joints are replaced with steam grade gasket material and new clack valves and safety valves have been fitted ready for warming the boiler.
Temporary Fire grate
In order to light a fire and warm the boiler for the next phase of tests, a temporary fire grate needs to be fitted. By using a temporary grate the team can gain easy access for any further repairs before 'Canadian Pacific' is reassembled. This grate was made using repurposed pipes from 53808, the work was completed by apprentice Matt Parr with some help from the boiler shop volunteers.
Fire in the firebox
In June the team hit another incredible milestone, the boiler was taken out into the yard and a fire was lit to warm the boiler, this is done to allow time for the different metals to de-stress before introducing steam pressure.
Boiler back in the frames
On 19th September 2024, 11 years after the boiler had been removed, it was finally reunited with it's frames once again. A huge milestone to the project and an incredible achievement for the team. The overhaul has included the first inner firebox rebuild for a Merchant Navy Class locomotive, and the largest inner firebox replacement in preservation.
Brunswick Green
Locomotive liveries are always a hot topic and paint colour is an important decision to make. Canadian Pacific will be painted Brunswick Green, the Heritage Advisory Group met in November to decide the exact tint of Brunswick Green to use as there is no standard paint code for this colour.
The Launch of Canadian Pacific 19th March 2025
After a 14 year restoration project Canadian Pacific was unveiled at Alresford station by National Lottery Heritage Fund CEO Eilish McGuinness and Robert Fry, the Deputy High Commissioner for Canada. The press launch was followed by an exciting 4 days including her inaugural dining trains and first public train rides. Canadian Pacific will be in operation for special events and services.
watch this silent video of canadian pacific being restored...
