Bluebell Trust buys SECR O1 locomotive 26 years on from its arrival at the line
THE Bluebell Railway Trust has bought long-time resident SECR O1 0-6-0 No.65 from its owner, the Lewis-Evans family.
What is the last-surviving South Eastern Railway locomotive was withdrawn from service as BR
No. 31065 on June 24, 1961, and was placed in store at Ashford rather than scrapped outright.
It was bought for its £850 scrap value by Ashford Steam Centre founder Esmond Lewis-Evans.
Established in the engine shed to the east of Ashford station, the centre opened in 1968 but closed in May 1976 due to financial problems, with its rolling stock dispersed.
No. 65, which was built in 1896 and rebuilt by the SECR in 1908, was then moved to a site in Kent where it was dismantled for overhaul, and arrived at the Bluebell in 1996. There, it was returned to steam for the August 1999 centenary of the amalgamation of the SER and the London, Chatham & Dover Railway, following which it operated for a decade.
During its last overhaul at Sheffield Park, it was fitted with the Bluebell’s spare O1/H boiler, which had been overhauled at Bill Parker’s Flour Mill workshop at Bream in the Forest of Dean. Returning to steam in July 2017, it was again placed on loan to the Bluebell by its owner Esmond, who died on August 5 that year.
In late 2021, his family decided to sell No. 65. While the Bluebell was the family’s preferred buyer, several other parties were also interested. However, in mid-January, the trust announced that it has bought it for a “substantial” sum and added it to its SECRE locomotive collection – which comprises C 0-6-0 No. 592 and H 0-4-4T No. 263.
Trust chairman Vernon Blackburn said: “Each of the three locomotives is ideal for our operations. When coupled with our stock of vintage carriages, they present a wonderful sight for our visitors.
“They are also in high demand for filming. “
Also on the Bluebell, the overhaul of LBSCR ‘Terrier’ 0-6-0T No. 72 Fenchurch continues, with the current emphasis focused on the front end of the boiler barrel. The new front ring is in place and the replacement front tubeplate is ready to be riveted in place. It is hoped to have No. 72 back in traffic for the
July 29-31 Terrier Gala, which will celebrate Fenchurch’s 150 birthday.
Strides are also being made with the overhaul of Bulleid Battle of Britain Pacific No. 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair. The pony truck and Bissel truck have been overhauled and the locomotive rewheeled. Pistons and valves have been overhauled with new valve rods fitted; the lubrication pipework has been cleaned, annealed, and is now in place, with the Wakefield lubricators overhauled and connected to the pipework.
New pins and bushes have been made and the regulator has been overhauled with replacement items machined, and the boiler staying is virtually complete. At the back of the locomotive, the injector pipework and the injectors themselves are being erected.
The motion on the left-hand side is now complete, with the connecting rod in place. New bushes were required for the right-hand rod and delivery of the bronze was delayed, but machining has since been carried out. The right-hand side motion is awaiting its turn now that the bronze for the bush has arrived and has been machined.
Attention will soon switch to the cab.