SEVEN ‘TERRIERS’ IN STEAM FOR 150TH ANNIVERSARY?
Work starts on Fenchurch, with four others under overhaul and two already operational.
Seven operational ‘Terriers’ are in prospect for the 150th anniversary of the famous LBSCR tank engines in 2022, if five ongoing overhauls are all finished in time.
The latest to join that number was the very first to enter traffic in the summer of 1882, No. 672 Fenchurch, which had its boiler lifted from the frames for examination at the Bluebell Railway in early December.
While its flagship ‘Terrier’ No. 55 Stepney is now a long-term static exhibit, owing to its overall worn and fragile state, the Sussex line is aiming to return Fenchurch to steam for the landmark year, which will also be ten years since it last operated.
“With regards to the boiler, it will be the usual outer firebox platework, stays etc, and we may need a new front tubeplate too. We’re still producing our detailed assessment,” the railway’s chairman and locomotive director Chris Hunford told Steam Railway.
“With regards to the chassis, that’s just the usual mechanical stuff so no surprises there!”
A potential livery that Fenchurch could feasibly wear is its original Stroudley ochre (or ‘Improved Engine Green’), which it has not carried in preservation and is ideally suited to its outwardly ‘A1’, rather than later ‘A1X’, form.
However, “we haven’t got as far as discussing liveries yet!”, Mr Hunford added.
Two of the other contenders are the Terrier Trust’s No. 3 Bodiam and No. (3)2678 (Knowle) – both based at the Kent & East Sussex Railway. As reported earlier in 2018, Bodiam is being dealt with on a contract basis by North Norfolk Railway Engineering, while Knowle is a relatively quick job for volunteers at Rolvenden on the KESR.
No livery decision has been made for Bodiam, but No. 2678 is due to return in Bulleid-era black with ‘Sunshine’ lettering.
The Spa Valley Railway’s resident ‘Rooter’ – No. 50 ‘Sutton’ (Whitechapel) – is also a contender to steam for ‘Terrier 150’, having been re-wheeled in late 2018. “I’d like to think it would be [ready],” SVR general manager Jonnie Pay told the magazine.
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway also holds two of the cards, namely Nos. W8 Freshwater and W11 (Newport). With the latter expected to be running in the eighth year of its current boiler cycle, Havenstreet’s volunteer workforce focus is on Freshwater, which should be running in good time for 2022. As per its previous spell, and like its island shedmate, No. W8 will return in Maunsell lined green.
Matching the island duo is No. B662 (Martello), which returned to action as recently as 2016 and, barring unforeseen failures, should be running for the celebratory year.
Joining Stepney on the sidelines is No. 82 Boxhill (National Railway Museum) and No. 54 Waddon (Canadian Railway Museum).