Restoring Bulleid Merchant Navy 21c11 /35011 to original condition

The Society aims to restore the Merchant Navy locomotive 21c11 / 35011 to her original as built condition complete with air smooth casing and Bulleid's unique patented chain driven valve gear.

Retro-converting a Merchant Navy has long been debated since the days of Barry Scrap Yard with 11 of the 30 members of the class surviving the cutters torch. General Steam Navigation went to Barry in June 1966 with most of her running gear missing and critically no crank axle. This has put GSN in a rather unique position compared to her sisters as the cost of restoring her to either rebuilt or original condition are fairly similar. We are recreating the missing link in preservation.

We also endeavour to promote education in technology and engineering associated with the preservation and restoration of heritage steam.

How to Support Us

You can help with the restoration of 21c11 / 35011 back to her original condition as Bulleid intended in a number of ways ranging from becoming a member, being a Shareholder, Sponsorship, volunteering, for details on our latest campaigns check out our Funding Campaigns page here or by making donations, click here for more details on ways to get involved.

We also have a range of merchandise and embroidered clothing available from our online shop here.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Having had our Expression of interest accepted by the London and South Panel of the NLHF in June 2023, we announced at our Annual General Meetings on Saturday 29th June 2024 that we met the deadline and submitted our highly detailed Stage One application.
This application has been completed along with our strategic application partners; our restoration home, The Swindon and Cricklade Railway, and our planned home for main line running The Yeovil Railway Centre.

The application is focussed around the reconstruction and restoration of the Merchant Navy Pacific to original Bulleid condition, making it unique in preservation.

We hope to learn if we have been successful with the application to move making a Stage Two - development application in late September 2024.

For more details click here...

Latest News

30/06/2024

Many thanks to all members and shareholders whom attended out Annual General Meetings on Saturday 29th June. We were pleased to announce that we met have the deadline and submitted our highly detailed National Lottery Heritage Fund Stage One application.
For more details click here...

30/06/2024

The winners of our June 2024 35011 Twenty Twenty Club draw have been announced.
Check our winners roll here...

We have a small number of places become available in our 20/20 club, join now, first come first served.

Click here for details on how to join.

25/06/2024

General Steam Navigation limited edition wagon range increases with new Ailsa Troon 20T Mineral Wagon in N Gauge marking the anniversary of the building of the Medway Queen Paddle Steamer. Produced in cooperation with the Medway Queen Preservation Society.

For more details click here....

09/05/2024

The latest issue (22) of our members magazine 'The Packet' is out now and landing on doorsteps this week.

If you are not a member already, and therefore missing out on the latest news and information about the project, you can join us here https://www.35011gsn.co.uk/membership.html

25/04/2024

#OnThisDay… O.V.S. Bulleid passed away

Today marks 54 years since the passing of Oliver Vaughan Snell Bulleid CBE.
Click here for more...

01/01/2024

Happy New Year - Our latest winter Engineering update is now live.

Click here to read...

23/11/23

We are delighted that Dr. Alice Bunn OBE (FIMechE FRAeS CEng) the Chief Executive of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) has become patron of the project to restore the Bulleid Merchant Navy pacific locomotive 35011 to her original condition.

For more details on the appointment of our Patron click here...

General Steam Navigation CIC welcomed Justin Tomlinson, MP for North Swindon, who visited Blunsdon at the Swindon & Cricklade Railway to view 35011 General Steam Navigation and discuss the current application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Find us on Social Media

Follow us (@35011gsn) on X (aka Twitter )

To view our latest X posts click here

(due to the unique way X, aka Twitter is, now run you can’t see previews of posts here.)

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Welcome

The General Steam Navigation Locomotive Restoration Society (GSNLRS) are the proud custodians of the Southern Railway Bulleid Merchant Navy class locomotive 21c11 / 35011 General Steam Navigation.