The Southern Rail West Country and Battle of Britain classes, collectively known as Light Pacifics or informally as Spam Cans, were air-smoothed 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotives designed for the Southern Railway by its Chief Mechanical Engineer Oliver Bulleid. 21C112, Westcountry class Pacific, ‘Launceston’ was built in October 1945, and was officially named at Launceston railway station on November 1st, 1945. With the nationalisation of the railways in 1948, ’21C112′ was given the British Railways number of 34012.

The cab was modified in February 1951 and was rebuilt in 1958, when the tender was cut down after it had covered just over 1/2 million miles. It was withdrawn from service in the December of 1966 having covered a total of 847,523 miles in its life. It was sold to John Cashmore, Newport in South Wales and was scrapped between April and June 1967.

Westcoutry Pacific class Launceston

‘LAUNCESTON’ WITHDRAWN FROM SERVICE.  The End of a Fine Steam Locomotive.