The SR Merchant Navy class is a type of steam locomotive, designed by Oliver Bulleid, that ran on the British Southern Railway network. All were built at the Southern Railway's Eastleigh Works. The following table sets out the names, numbers and other vital statistics of the locomotives that comprised the class. The 'Merchant Navies' represented a publicity success for the Southern Railway in highlighting the names of Merchant Navy shipping lines that used Southampton Docks, which were served by the Southern Railway. They also constituted a roving memorial to the seamen who fought at sea during the Second World War to keep Britain supplied with food, fuel and other goods.
The shipping lines below are linked to their current or last owners, and take into account the many mergers that occur in the Merchant Marine industry, for example, General Steam Navigation merged with P & O in 1920, and finally disappeared as a separate entity in 1972.
Holder of class speed record (105.88mph). Last authenticated 100mph plus on British Railways by a steam locomotive.[3] Scrapped at J Cashmore, Newport 1967
Restored on the Great Central Railway at Loughborough and used on main line steam specials. Painted in British Railways Blue livery between 2000 and 2001. Now based at the Mid-Hants Railway. In 2025 completed overhaul at Eastleigh Locomotive Works.[4]