From May to September?

The Trustees of The Terrier Trust have agreed to a request from the K&ESR for No.3 “Bodiam” to face south for a short period for variety and marketing reasons.

Consequentially the engine will be turned for the first time in the preservation era and this is likely to take place next week using a low-loader shipping in a locomotive for the annual Gala, 2nd 3rd and 4th May.

Indeed “Bodiam” has almost always faced the traditional direction of south for the vast majority of its active career for the old company since first arriving on the Rother Valley in June 1901.  It was only on its return from overhaul at Brighton Works in July 1947 that it broke new ground with regard to orientation.

Returning to the line to work the Ramblers Association special of 18th October 1959 in concert with DS680, the former No.54 “Waddon”, 32670 once more faced south as it duly did two years’ later on the last passenger excursion under BR with 32662, the former No.62 “Martello”.  Both trains were top-and-tailed with the chimneys facing outwards.  The plan is for a run to “re-create” that final trip of 11th June 1961, “The South Eastern Limited” at the Gala with No.3 and 662 – in Marsh umber – working a train in the same manner with “Bodiam” at the Robertsbridge end and “Martello” at the Tenterden end.

If the turning goes ahead as planned, No.3 will remain facing south for several weeks.  As yet restoration to the now accepted north may occur later in the summer when “Ivor” © visits the K&ESR, or put back further to September, using the low-loader for “Thomas” © TM.  The latter option may be the better alternative, presenting another option for the annual Hoppers’ weekend the same month, topping-and-tailing with 32678.

HN-20/04/2009