Perhaps a couple of words are required on this. I'm not discussing whether or not the SSR exists. What am trying to do here is clear up a handful of contradicting "facts"/ anecdotes surrounding it.

A quick Google for "SSR" reveals this site: http://www.willys-mb.co.uk/strategic-reserve.htm

which on the face of it, appears to prove conclusive evidence of the reserve. My comments on this site is basred on the photos on the site

The first photo: http://www.willys-mb.co.uk/images/strategic/box-tunnel.jpg shows a loco in steam outside the entrance to the supposed location of the SSR. The date given as 1979, but there is no evidence of that. Also the mine was no doubt steam powered for a long time.

Photo two: http://www.willys-mb.co.uk/images/strategic/steam-cab.jpg claims that SSR master fitter on the footplate once again in 1979. This one comes across as odd. If he was a fitter for something that is a government secret, why would allow a photo taken of himself? In the background is the side of a goods shed. In addition, the man is wearing a sweater and jeans. Surely if he WAS a fitter, he would be in a boiler suit even for footplate work?

Moving swiftly on to number three: http://www.willys-mb.co.uk/images/strategic/hall-class-loco.jpg. A Hall supposedly in 1975. This one the daftest claim so far. In the background appears to be a Class 29, all of which were cut up by 1972!!! At most this a withdrawn Hall waiting for preservation or scrap. The plates most likely removed by works staff so they wern't nicked.

Finally for this page: http://www.willys-mb.co.uk/images/strategic/lms-diesel-shunter.jpg. On first glance, this appears to be a preservation scheme (tarpaulpin over the coach, van body, donkey in veranda) though I can't find a similar LMS shunter in preservation. Those with better eyesight may spot what appears to be crude photoshopping on the tool box.

Moving to the second page: http://www.willys-mb.co.uk/rudloe.htm. The first photo claims to be a US Army unit on manouvre. Pull the other one. The blacked out area is crude at best. Even it is 1948, no way the vans are going to be in BR liveries. Also, the steam crane in the background? Do be serious.

The next photo on the page: http://www.willys-mb.co.uk/images/strategic/depot.jpg. Is the hardest to debunk. Its bleak and featureless.

Finnaly , we come the final photo: http://www.willys-mb.co.uk/images/strategic/steam-reserve.jpg. First things I noticed were the cartoon-ish Cl 14 and the sand covering a possibly botched photoshop. Once again, no mention of a location is suspicious and has a general preservation society feel.

Further digging came across this: http://www.angelfire.com/mn2/Oubliette/StratReserve.html. While it repeats what was said on the other site, it claims a number of Cl 17s where/ are stored. All things considered, they would be less than useful. It says they had low engine hours and could run on low-grade fuel. They had low hours because they were less than unreliable. Another paragraph makes another tall claim:

The famous Blue Pullman units were not to escape the Strategic Reserve. One man claims that there is a complete set locked away in Scotland. He cites the fact that there were never many pictures of the cutting up of these formations. Engine numbers W60090 and W60091 were listed as being preserved by the Blue Pullman Group, whereabouts unknown. It is also claimed that one unit was painted black and was to be used as a Mobile Command Centre.

Wishful thinking me thinks. Actually, the whole SSR myth seems to be wishful thinking by enthusiats that could'nt get over the fact that all these locos were scrapped behind closed doors. Anything you want to say or ask, feel free.