Bulleid knew exactly what this had to be. a pure engine to haul heavy wartime freight traffic and he concentrated entirely on that goal. asthetics and streamlining were irrelevant. its honest and straightforward engineering built with purpose. and that's why i quite like it.
honestly i think the Q1 has a charm exactly in line with a lot of US streamliners. it's very art deco, it's not as glamorous, but it's certainly still designed. through it's lack of aesthetic it gained one accidentally.
Personally I actually prefer it's odd look over most other engains. One of my main reasons is that some engains you can look at it and it may take a couple seconds/minutes to think of what it is to still get it wrong. Where as the Q1 can be identified instantly and I love it because of its carm and iconic look.
What a brilliant study of Charlie. They call it ugly - I prefer to call it beautifully ugly. This loco needs to be back in steam to be really appreciated
This engine is the epitome of the old adage "form follows function". Given the wartime circumstances and the severe restrictions on its design, it was a hell of a masterpiece. And I actually quite like it!
I know the Q1's aren't everyone's cup of tea (Or should that be coffee?), but I do have a soft spot for them. If my memory serves me correctly, the Q1's were able to cover 97% of Britain's railway network.
97% eh? You think that included the Cambrian lines? BR should've done some transfers with them, since the Southern didn't have that much frieght. Besides the Q1s could've been replaced with Standard 3s and 4s.
Another brilliant sole slip. Some interesting points I had no idea about, especially the struggle on how to clear the smokebox. I'm more of an LMS man myself, but I do have a soft spot for this locomotive. I think this engine could do a better job representing the NRM & the Southern region, better than others I could mention. I'd love to see this engine touring the country and showing us its muscle power.
As always, an excellent insight into the workings and life of, in this case, a Q1. Had the pleasure of being a teenager in South London during the final years of Nine Elms steam and have fond memories of seeing a couple of Q1's along with a host of other Bulleid locomotives working there until July 1967. Keep up the good work Chris. Your videos are informative, interesting and very much appreciated. Thank you!
I heard that when this class first came out, a rival designer (I don't know who) rode with Bulleid in the cab of one of them. As the story goes, the rival designed turned to Bulleid and cynically asked "Where do you put the key?"
+TheDixieNutjob if i were bulleid , i would say i left it between the loco's frame and ask him to go get it then i start the loco while he is between the frame and start the loco crushing him and if the police cam , i say i dunno i was ready to move the engine and did not expect someone to be in between the frames
I love how the two characters who get the shaft in Thomas & Friends and Harry Potter are both named Neville. :D (How is this related to the video? Neville from Thomas & Friends is a Q1, and after finding out his class were "ugly ducklings" I made the connection.)
One of the best locos from the old SR, a true testament to its designer. And ironically appeared twice in SIF's ERS as 'Quinten,' :p. Ironically this was loco also saw its cleaning done through carriage cleaners wouldn't you believe?
I am old enough to remember these 'Charlies' as they called them in use on BR during the 1950/60's as a kid, and they were great powerful and reliable locomotives that just kept on going strong until the end in 1966. Guildford and Feltham MPD's has the most allocation. And I actually stood on the footplate of 33018 when at Feltham MPD, the same day us kids had a footplate ride on S15 30837 around the yard. An old driver told me the the Q1's were powerful, although the brakes were not that good. I always loved them myself. Make your models 'weathered' as they were never clean in BR days. Pity 33001 was the only survivor.
I don't really see anything wrong with the Q1's looks. They look good. Also, why didn't more engines use that short of a footplate? Honestly, just having the buffers hold up wood for cleaning rather than a longer footplate is honestly genius.
Spotters like me used to call them flower pots (in honour of Bill and Ben) and would regularly go down to Feltham shed, 70B, where most of the class seemed to live. I don't remember ever seeing one anywhere as clean as C1.
It may look like a diesel, but it's still a beautiful steam engine. This was another fantastic Sole Slip Episode, and I'm glad to see you mention the Q1. I'm really looking forward to seeing the next Sole Slip and your next episode too. :)
I love the C1, I think its look is almost childish, and somewhat charming, and an incredible model to own if you can find one, seeing the real think is incredible to.
The thing I like the most about the Q1's is its individuality. It really does stand out in the crowd. Say what you will about whether it's a good looking engine or not.
I occasionally call this engine either Neville or the Ugly Ducking. I will now forever call it the Telescopic Bread Loaf on Wheels. PS I hope it stays at the NRM or at least returns to working service at the Bluebell.
In all honesty, it may look bizarre, but very unique I must say! No wonder why they where called "ugly ducklings"! Despite everything, the Q1 is amazing to look it!
The Q1s are indeed hideous, although it strangely gives them some charm. If nothing else, they are/were among the most unique-looking steam engines in Britain.I think the only ones I can think of that looked stranger would be the ones Bulleid made to try and make diesel-like steam locos.
You know the first time I saw this class of engine was, of course, Neville from T&F. Back then is also when I learned about the C&O steam turbines, since this engine was square like those, I assumed it was a turbine as well. Boy was I wrong......
Speaking as an American where our mid-20th Century steamers weren't dolled up to the extent like you Brits did, I love the honest aesthetic Bullied went with where form was 2nd to function. It makes a machine that tells you that it's meant to work, not sit on a fashion runway
They may be hideous looking, but it was functional and got the job done effortlessly. For that reason alone this engine is a success story, and proves that old fashioned engineering, and getting the basics right are more important than all the modern bells and whistles.
Whatever I wish to call it? I think I'll call it "Neville." (Usually I don't bring up Thomas characters in these videos, but I couldn't resist this time.)
Why do RUclips algorithms present this only now? No, of course I like the Q1, love 'em in fact. 30,000lbs TE? That's only 9,000 shy of a 9F or the Duke of Gloucester! If you want to get really silly about it, 30,000 lbs is about 25% of #4014 UP Big Boy! I remember the Q1 on the Bluebell when I first got married and started visiting the railway in the mid seventies. Ugly like a Moose, but also ugly like an F4M Phantom or a Land Rover Series 3 Discovery. When the Brighton Atlantic and the Standard 2 Tank engine are finished, I reckon the Bluebell ought to start making a Q1 of their own.
As usual you are right , being a prejudiced through and though GWR fan I have never favoured anything that didn't originate in Swindon . Different times , as needs must .
Britain's most powerful 0-6-0. I remember these odd-looking locos near my first home, not far from Hither Green (73C) depot, in amongst the Wainwright "C"'s and the Maunsell Moguls, and working freight around South London, so I've a soft spot for these "ugly ducklings". The lack of a running plate, apart from the difficulty in maintenance and cleaning (non-existent in my experience!) meant they were not popular with drivers, who had to lean out of the cab side window, because the view forward was quite restricted, and with no running plate or splashers they were exposed to a fine spray of oil in the face thrown out from the side rod bearings. Railway mythology has it that when William Stanier first set eyes on one, he asked O.V.Bulleid "Where do you put the key?" Morrison & Creer''s "The Power of the Bulleid Pacifics" has photographs of a mock-up of a Pacific, possibly made during the development of the "Light Paifics", where the boiler is left without an "air-smoothed" casing, looking like a "stretched" version of the Q1 "Coffee pot" .. That would have been a sight to behold!. Here's a link to bluebellModelRailway's working model: ruclips.net/video/dMpk0rHTLLw/видео.html
funny thing about that legend, I heard the same thing but the engine's speed wasn't 60 mph, it was 75 mph. one other story was actually from some forum where old timers shared their experience with this class, a q1 was taking, I think, a semi-fast passenger train and reached 60 on that run, from where to which station, I forgot. but that aside, thanks for covering this class, chris, are there any other NRM owned sole survivors you have in the plans?
Huzzah for more SOLE SLIP! I've always wondered: Why did the Q1's have that odd sheeting around the boiler? Surely it would've been more economical to have the cladding be rounded to the same shape as the boiler barrel, as was traditional for nearly all other engines. So what purpose did the more boxy cladding serve? Smoke deflection? Bullieds bizarre obsession with semi-streamlining?
I think (and I could be completely wrong here) it was to do with the boiler lagging being unable to take any weight on itself so the casing was attached to its own framework around it all. If I am wrong please feel free to correct me.
1. As with his Pacific's, it could be cleaned in a carriage washer. Saving manpower during the Second World War, at a time when it was desperately needed. 2. The "casing" on the Q1as it were, actually helped support the boiler, which I seem to recall reading that it needed the extra support...as it couldn't hold itself. I could be wrong, but from memory, that is why.
A great engine..I remember watching on most nights at about 7pm when the Guildford-Ascot mail train went over the viaduct at Bagshot ,usually a Q1 or an S15 (I think I should have been concentrating on my girlfriend at the time ! )
Is it bad that I think the hate against the Q1s belongs to the Ivatt class 4s? I mean come on, it was bascially a British engine built with American flare. And besides, all of Bulleids designs were similar in two-aspects; no running board, and pretty much square (People say Q1s look like diesels, they haven't seen the Leader).
When some people say that they hate the look of the Q1, I say well if you don't like the BR Black then try and imagine it in SR Malachite green or LMS Crimson lake lol.
I'm about to trigger some rail enthuasiasts, but I love the Q1, I think its unique :D
No MDH I'm the same. Not ugly, just unique.
I’m with you on that one it’s very unique. I kinda wish more then one survived though
I love it two austerity measures never looked so good
I like it as well, I even think it looks alright
How does loving a cool ass train like this trigger someone
Bulleid knew exactly what this had to be. a pure engine to haul heavy wartime freight traffic and he concentrated entirely on that goal. asthetics and streamlining were irrelevant. its honest and straightforward engineering built with purpose. and that's why i quite like it.
honestly i think the Q1 has a charm exactly in line with a lot of US streamliners. it's very art deco, it's not as glamorous, but it's certainly still designed. through it's lack of aesthetic it gained one accidentally.
Personally I actually prefer it's odd look over most other engains. One of my main reasons is that some engains you can look at it and it may take a couple seconds/minutes to think of what it is to still get it wrong. Where as the Q1 can be identified instantly and I love it because of its carm and iconic look.
What a brilliant study of Charlie. They call it ugly - I prefer to call it beautifully ugly. This loco needs to be back in steam to be really appreciated
This engine is the epitome of the old adage "form follows function". Given the wartime circumstances and the severe restrictions on its design, it was a hell of a masterpiece. And I actually quite like it!
Telescopic Bread Loaves on wheels indeed :P
I like to call them bricks on wheels because ... Well.... Just look at them.
I know the Q1's aren't everyone's cup of tea (Or should that be coffee?), but I do have a soft spot for them. If my memory serves me correctly, the Q1's were able to cover 97% of Britain's railway network.
97% eh? You think that included the Cambrian lines? BR should've done some transfers with them, since the Southern didn't have that much frieght. Besides the Q1s could've been replaced with Standard 3s and 4s.
you jokeing bruh its the most HIDEOUS thing out of NRM York ever epesh to see the huge fat stubbely ugy bred box on wheels in the turntable
Olivia Alwen IN the turntable? That'll be a couple of days off with no pay then
Another brilliant sole slip. Some interesting points I had no idea about, especially the struggle on how to clear the smokebox. I'm more of an LMS man myself, but I do have a soft spot for this locomotive. I think this engine could do a better job representing the NRM & the Southern region, better than others I could mention. I'd love to see this engine touring the country and showing us its muscle power.
I think the Q1s look fine, it's one of my favourite classes
Definitely going to put "visit the NRM to see the telescopic bread loaf on wheels" to my bucket list.
He ain’t hideous, he is good boi, and his brother Neville
There's one word I can think of to describe the Q1: POWERFUL
True
As always, an excellent insight into the workings and life of, in this case, a Q1. Had the pleasure of being a teenager in South London during the final years of Nine Elms steam and have fond memories of seeing a couple of Q1's along with a host of other Bulleid locomotives working there until July 1967. Keep up the good work Chris. Your videos are informative, interesting and very much appreciated. Thank you!
Love the design of the Q1. It’s boiler is very unique and heavily built.
I heard that when this class first came out, a rival designer (I don't know who) rode with Bulleid in the cab of one of them. As the story goes, the rival designed turned to Bulleid and cynically asked "Where do you put the key?"
+TheDixieNutjob if i were bulleid , i would say i left it between the loco's frame and ask him to go get it then i start the loco while he is between the frame and start the loco crushing him and if the police cam , i say i dunno i was ready to move the engine and did not expect someone to be in between the frames
yep
I love how the two characters who get the shaft in Thomas & Friends and Harry Potter are both named Neville. :D
(How is this related to the video? Neville from Thomas & Friends is a Q1, and after finding out his class were "ugly ducklings" I made the connection.)
One of Bullied's finest designs. Shame she's the sole survivor of her class.
More a shame she hasn’t run in years
Great work Chris. One of my favourite classes of engine, just sad that there is only one left. 5/5
Most underrated class ever. Might have been unusual, but that’s what made them unique.
One of the best locos from the old SR, a true testament to its designer. And ironically appeared twice in SIF's ERS as 'Quinten,' :p. Ironically this was loco also saw its cleaning done through carriage cleaners wouldn't you believe?
I am old enough to remember these 'Charlies' as they called them in use on BR during the 1950/60's as a kid, and they were great powerful and reliable locomotives that just kept on going strong until the end in 1966. Guildford and Feltham MPD's has the most allocation. And I actually stood on the footplate of 33018 when at Feltham MPD, the same day us kids had a footplate ride on S15 30837 around the yard. An old driver told me the the Q1's were powerful, although the brakes were not that good. I always loved them myself. Make your models 'weathered' as they were never clean in BR days. Pity 33001 was the only survivor.
I don't really see anything wrong with the Q1's looks. They look good.
Also, why didn't more engines use that short of a footplate? Honestly, just having the buffers hold up wood for cleaning rather than a longer footplate is honestly genius.
Beauty is within the eye of the beholder, and the Q1, has a mass of beholders. Great video and very informative, thank you.
Spotters like me used to call them flower pots (in honour of Bill and Ben) and would regularly go down to Feltham shed, 70B, where most of the class seemed to live. I don't remember ever seeing one anywhere as clean as C1.
Q1s will always be one of my favorite engine period, I don't know why but I do.
It may look like a diesel, but it's still a beautiful steam engine. This was another fantastic Sole Slip Episode, and I'm glad to see you mention the Q1. I'm really looking forward to seeing the next Sole Slip and your next episode too. :)
ThomasZoey3000 So you think a Q1 looks like a diesel? You should check out Bulleid's ill-fated Leader!
Well when I first saw it, I thought it was a diesel, but I soon learned it was a steam engine. And I know about Bulleid's illfated leader engine.
I actually really love the Q1’s design
I'd call it one of the most important steam locomotives of WWII
I love the C1, I think its look is almost childish, and somewhat charming, and an incredible model to own if you can find one, seeing the real think is incredible to.
The thing I like the most about the Q1's is its individuality. It really does stand out in the crowd. Say what you will about whether it's a good looking engine or not.
I occasionally call this engine either Neville or the Ugly Ducking.
I will now forever call it the Telescopic Bread Loaf on Wheels.
PS I hope it stays at the NRM or at least returns to working service at the Bluebell.
Thanks for interviewing my Brother. I guess?even though I'm a bit offended.
Honestly the q1 class is one of my favorite class
Another great video Chris well done, funny I thought there was more of these in preservation
In all honesty, it may look bizarre, but very unique I must say! No wonder why they where called "ugly ducklings"! Despite everything, the Q1 is amazing to look it!
I love this design! I’ve seen it in person
Say what you want about the Q1, but it's unique "Telescopic Bread Loaf on Wheels" design will always capture the eye of an enthusiast.
The first thing I think when I see this engine is “Oh look! Neville!”
I’m just now getting into trains and don’t know that much about them and don’t know that much locomotives but these are definitely my favorite
To me the Q1 has a lot of character
The Q1 is beautiful, and there is nothing you can say to change my mind.
The Q1s are indeed hideous, although it strangely gives them some charm. If nothing else, they are/were among the most unique-looking steam engines in Britain.I think the only ones I can think of that looked stranger would be the ones Bulleid made to try and make diesel-like steam locos.
Year built:September,1942
This...this is beautiful
I think the locomotive looks amazing
When I was a lot younger, communting to work in London on the Epsom to Waterloo line, there was nearly alway one of these out side Wimbledon station.
Another good well done! :) I saw City of Truro in the background.
Another video can't Waite for more also I do like the q1
Yeah, it may not be streamlined or painted in bright colours, but it's still in my top 3
More superb work mate!
I was lucky to see it running at the Bluebell
Shut it the Q1 is sexy its beloved to me i mean look at it its awsome
I think she's gorgeous 😍
You know the first time I saw this class of engine was, of course, Neville from T&F. Back then is also when I learned about the C&O steam turbines, since this engine was square like those, I assumed it was a turbine as well.
Boy was I wrong......
Speaking as an American where our mid-20th Century steamers weren't dolled up to the extent like you Brits did, I love the honest aesthetic Bullied went with where form was 2nd to function. It makes a machine that tells you that it's meant to work, not sit on a fashion runway
They may be hideous looking, but it was functional and got the job done effortlessly. For that reason alone this engine is a success story, and proves that old fashioned engineering, and getting the basics right are more important than all the modern bells and whistles.
I wish there were more of these left, atleast there’s one remaining.
powerful looking locos
Never judge an engine by there looks judge them of what they are capable of doing
They’re restoring her at the moment I think in York, they just need to get sit nigel Gresley out and then she is going to be in there and running
Compared to the 'Leader' this things damn hot! 👍😍
Another excellent sole slip. Hopefully the next instalment is not far behind it
Whatever I wish to call it?
I think I'll call it "Neville."
(Usually I don't bring up Thomas characters in these videos, but I couldn't resist this time.)
I enjoyed the piss out of this video
when i visited the national railway museum during my holiday in england in 2017 that Q1 was actually on the turntable
It may have become ugly by look AND design, but that didn't stop this engine from becoming known as Neville.
Pardon me, but I kinda LOVE the look of these...
Jim van der Kolk i agree
Well, DID YOU PUT IT ON YOUR TOP 10 HATED ENGINES ON YOUR LIST? I know that you find them ugly. But I don't give a s##t
I love the q1
I find the Q1 lovely to me.. sure it's not a looker really, but heck I like her..
Duck & Oliver
Why do RUclips algorithms present this only now? No, of course I like the Q1, love 'em in fact. 30,000lbs TE? That's only 9,000 shy of a 9F or the Duke of Gloucester! If you want to get really silly about it, 30,000 lbs is about 25% of #4014 UP Big Boy!
I remember the Q1 on the Bluebell when I first got married and started visiting the railway in the mid seventies. Ugly like a Moose, but also ugly like an F4M Phantom or a Land Rover Series 3 Discovery. When the Brighton Atlantic and the Standard 2 Tank engine are finished, I reckon the Bluebell ought to start making a Q1 of their own.
As usual you are right , being a prejudiced through and though GWR fan I have never favoured anything that didn't originate in Swindon . Different times , as needs must .
I don't know, Chris, C1 doesn't look so ugly to me. In fact, I'd say she looks rather cool.
It's A He And This Engine Is Based Off Neville
TrainFan56 Yes, I'm well aware of that. Thank you.
That engine is Neville from Thomas And friends.
i think that the q1 is a beautiful engine
Hideous? I think not. I saw them in the 60s and they were futuristic and awe-inspiring. Never hideous.
The best part is that some Vertical Boiler Locomotives we're Nick named "Coffee Pots" and they looked just as... Interesting..
Just goes to show that looks don't mean shit. If the locomotive can do what it was built for, that's good enough for the company.
the c1 has changed place and now sits on the turnable and i love nicknameing it the ugly bread box on wheels xD
I don't really find them ugly, i think they look quite cool, but the smokebox must have been such a nightmare!
I really like this engine, mainly because of its looks ... yeah I know, I’m a bit wired ;-p
Well...you are kinda weird becuse of the thing thats Above the buffers
Britain's most powerful 0-6-0.
I remember these odd-looking locos near my first home, not far from Hither Green (73C) depot, in amongst the Wainwright "C"'s and the Maunsell Moguls, and working freight around South London, so I've a soft spot for these "ugly ducklings".
The lack of a running plate, apart from the difficulty in maintenance and cleaning (non-existent in my experience!) meant they were not popular with drivers, who had to lean out of the cab side window, because the view forward was quite restricted, and with no running plate or splashers they were exposed to a fine spray of oil in the face thrown out from the side rod bearings.
Railway mythology has it that when William Stanier first set eyes on one, he asked O.V.Bulleid "Where do you put the key?"
Morrison & Creer''s "The Power of the Bulleid Pacifics" has photographs of a mock-up of a Pacific, possibly made during the development of the "Light Paifics", where the boiler is left without an "air-smoothed" casing, looking like a "stretched" version of the Q1 "Coffee pot" .. That would have been a sight to behold!. Here's a link to bluebellModelRailway's working model: ruclips.net/video/dMpk0rHTLLw/видео.html
I love them as well
The nick name Charlie was to do with the pre British Railways numbering C as in C1 -C40.
I like the look of it
Kinda looks like it was built in America.
And in my opinion; it is NOT hideous, it's unique!
Neville are Q1 class been based on from Thomas events currently
Q1s were basically "anything you can do, I've _already_ done better."
funny thing about that legend, I heard the same thing but the engine's speed wasn't 60 mph, it was 75 mph. one other story was actually from some forum where old timers shared their experience with this class, a q1 was taking, I think, a semi-fast passenger train and reached 60 on that run, from where to which station, I forgot. but that aside, thanks for covering this class, chris, are there any other NRM owned sole survivors you have in the plans?
I think they look a bit like a upside down bathtub with out all the fancy finishes.
Huzzah for more SOLE SLIP!
I've always wondered: Why did the Q1's have that odd sheeting around the boiler? Surely it would've been more economical to have the cladding be rounded to the same shape as the boiler barrel, as was traditional for nearly all other engines. So what purpose did the more boxy cladding serve? Smoke deflection? Bullieds bizarre obsession with semi-streamlining?
I think (and I could be completely wrong here) it was to do with the boiler lagging being unable to take any weight on itself so the casing was attached to its own framework around it all. If I am wrong please feel free to correct me.
shadyhaze2013 I think you are quite right - 'Idaglass', the material was called, I believe.
1. As with his Pacific's, it could be cleaned in a carriage washer. Saving manpower during the Second World War, at a time when it was desperately needed.
2. The "casing" on the Q1as it were, actually helped support the boiler, which I seem to recall reading that it needed the extra support...as it couldn't hold itself.
I could be wrong, but from memory, that is why.
That ain't an ugly duckling. That's Neville.
*Neville was a really useful engine*
Ugly: No.
Unique: Yes.
Disappointing: No.
Bread Boxes on wheels: No.
i call them square brick Loaves on Wheels
A great engine..I remember watching on most nights at about 7pm when the Guildford-Ascot mail train went over the viaduct at Bagshot ,usually a Q1 or an S15 (I think I should have been concentrating on my girlfriend at the time ! )
Is it bad that I think the hate against the Q1s belongs to the Ivatt class 4s? I mean come on, it was bascially a British engine built with American flare. And besides, all of Bulleids designs were similar in two-aspects; no running board, and pretty much square (People say Q1s look like diesels, they haven't seen the Leader).
When some people say that they hate the look of the Q1, I say well if you don't like the BR Black then try and imagine it in SR Malachite green or LMS Crimson lake lol.
Expectations: The Q1s look ugly
Reality: They're strong and mighty
Yeah
I've never once thought the Q1 was ugly oddly enough.
Its supposed to look ugly, its a war train