As part of the RMweb SWAGLand meet at Taunton this coming Sunday (17/04) there will be a table top display of a variety of Bulleid locomotives and Roilling stock. Also on show will be a recently nearly finished Southern Cinema coach and also the elusive Bulleid ‘Inspection Saloon’ or sleeper coach 100s along with other Bulleid rolling stock.

Bullied pacific’s will present in force displaying a range of conditions that the engines could be found in during the 1946 to 1949 period. The display will include a number of original style Merchant Navy Pacifics as well as a variety of Light Pacifics. Below is just a couple of tasters of what will be on display.

The Leader was probably one of Bulleid’s most controversial creations, my model built from a number of components sourced from Golden Arrow Productiosn will also be on show.

The Southern Railway, in 1938 utilised an underframe from a fire damaged ‘Thanet’ stock composite No5337, for conversion to a cimema coach. It emerged from Lancing in Novemeber 1939 and could seat 60 persons for initially wartime staff instructional films and subsequently mutual improvement classes. Numbered 1308s it was paired to a generator van, no 1309s, converted from an ex LSWR 24’ passenger luggage van.

Officially designated an inspection saloon 100s. built in 1946, was in fact a sleeper coach with 11 beds longitudinally placed within individual compartments. There was a central corridor, an attendants room and a shower room. Each compartment also contained a wash basin and even a trouser press! Although it was built to Bulleid’s standard 64’6†coach length and body profile the construction of the body was entirely plywood and formed a bit like an upside down boat hull. Even the bogies were unique to this coach mounted on radial pads which was said to give a very smooth ride.

Whilst Bulleid remained as CME the coach running paired to its own generator van 97s converted from an ex SECR utility van in 1947 and was also often run along with dining firsts and a saloon brake.

In addition to the above a number of other kit built Bulleid coaches will be on display. I look forward to seeing as many of your there as possible in Taunton on Sunday.