THE TALE OF INVICTA
“The town really developed when it became the port for Canterbury,” explains Whitstable museum’s Peter Banbury. “Ships brought coal from Newcastle as well as building materials, ice, food, drink and furniture.” Cargo was transported to Canterbury by horse and cart, but the process was slow. When the age of steam arrived, Whitstable was quick to embrace it. “Robert Stephenson unveiled the Rocket locomotive in 1829, and the businessmen of the town bought the very next one that was built: Invicta.” That year, the 6-ton locomotive was shipped down from Newcastle, and a trackway was built between Whitstable and Canterbury. On 30 May 1830, Invicta hauled its first train along the line. It soon became clear that Invicta lacked the power and speed to get trucks up the incline plane just outside Whitstable. Horses had to be used to haul trucks up the hill, and later, a stationary engine was installed. A major refitting of Invicta was carried out, but to no avail. She was retired from the line just over nine years later, in December 1839. The railway continued and eventually developed into a viable passenger line. Its official name was the Canterbury & Whitstable Railway (C&W), but due to its role in bringing the sea harvests inland, it quickly became known as the Crab & Winkle Line. Although it has been housed in Canterbury since 1906, the precious 6.5-ton engine will be carefully transferred through a busy medieval-width street to Whitstable’s museum in the coming year.