part of a longer old documentary which has been edited down about the Atlantic Coast Express powered by the Merchant Navy Class of engines named after merchant shipping lines as recognition of their work in the war years.

Engine number 35016 was a powerful locomotive that once had air-smoothed outer casings which earned had them the sobriquet 'Spam Cans'. Here we see her without the casing which had been removed by then on the prestigious service known as The Atlantic Coast Express or ACE. (west of England Express from London to Penzance).

With a full tender of 6,000 gallons and 5 tons of coal she weighed in at 136 tons. The driving wheels where a massive 6ft 2in and she had a 280 lb psi boiler which was the highest pressure of any BR locomotive. Great views of what it was like on the footplate driving these massive machines down to Exeter. Look at the Fireman at 3.45 and 5.30, he's worked up a real sweat moving about 3.5 tons of coal to keep the fire white hot. They also included several innovations like the 3 massive 18" diameter pistons driving chain driven gear enclosed in a sealed oil bath between the frames, also included was electric lighting which was a first for BR with ultra violet lit gauges and dials so as to not disturb the crews night vision, at night they worked in near darkness so as to be able to see signals ahead. The Drivers of these locomotives were a select group of men belonging to a very exclusive club. In those days it took many years, sometimes up to 20 before they became a Driver.

Note; heavy duty rail related video - the usual warnings and caveats apply, cwn..