‘SUTTON’ SEEDS SOWN FOR 2022

Tunbridge Wells’ Southern motive power presence will be further bolstered by the addition of ‘Terrier’ No. 650 ‘Sutton’ to the running fleet within the next two years.

Progress on the overhaul of the LBSCR tank engine has accelerated in recent months and with boiler work now under way, it is hoped that ‘Sutton’ will steam in time for the 150th anniversary of the class in 2022.

“The completion date isn’t set in stone,” project spokesman Liam Treveil told Steam Railway. “The locomotive isn’t likely to steam in 2021, but 2022 looks more likely.”

Recent work on the bottom end has seen the ‘A1X’s’ coupling rods refitted with new bearings, valves and other items of motion machined, while a contractor for the machining of the new smokebox saddle has been chosen.

The firebox meanwhile, has had wasted sections of the outer throatplate and backplate cut out ready for new sections to be welded in, new patch screws have been fitted to the lap seams, while a section of smokebox tubeplate flange has also been cut out for renewal.

The Sutton Borough Council owned engine will be painted in the late LBSCR Marsh era umber brown and will eventually carry its name on the side tanks.

Originally named Whitechapel (and later Fishbourne during its spell on the Isle of Wight), ‘Sutton’ was moved from its original preservation home at the Kent & East Sussex Railway to the Spa Valley in 2003 and has been under overhaul since. It last steamed in 1994.