Factfile: LBSCR ‘Terrier’ 0‑6‑0T
If longevity is the yardstick by which the success of a locomotive design is judged then Stroudley’s ‘A1’ 0‑6‑0Ts must be among the most successful locomotives built in Britain. The 50 locomotives were the first design produced by William Stroudley after he joined the London Brighton & South Coast Railway and set about resolving the many motive power issues. They were designed for the LBSCR’S intensive South London suburban service and entered service in 1872.
An increase in suburban traffic and tracks meant that traffic levels towards the end of the 19th Century overtook the ‘Terrier’s’ capacity. Made redundant in the capital, they took up light duties as shunters and station pilots as well as providing a service on branch lines. Many were sold but, in 1911, the remaining machines were rebuilt by Douglas Marsh with a new boiler, new smokebox saddle and the removal of the combined splasher/sandbox arrangement. Rebuilt locomotives were reclassified as ‘A1X’, with boilers being supplied to the other operators who had bought ‘Terriers’ from the LBSCR.
Despite their age, 16 ‘Terriers’ became BR property in 1948. They continued to work where they had before, as BR didn’t design anything newer that was just as light. In fact, the ‘Terriers’ were never replaced – BR just closed their lines instead. The last ‘Terriers’ were withdrawn in 1963 but, happily, ten survive.
RECOMMENDED READING
◆ Portrait of the Terriers by Handel Kardas (Ian Allan)
◆ Stroudley Locomotives – A Pictorial History by Brian Haresnape (Ian Allan)