Penn Switcher Yanks Terrier
off the Roster

A late decision was taken by the K&ESR to substitute the intended use of 32678 on a reduced main set with USA No.65 (No.22 “Maunsell”) and a full A-set over the half-term holiday at the end of October.

This was in view of the expected increase in demand over what might otherwise have been expected, due to the recession.  Instead of overseas holidays in 2009, there has been a notable trend towards people downsizing vacations or just taking day trips.

In spite of two Terriers being available for most of the season, this has been a difficult year for Terrier operation on the railway, punctuated by what can best be summarised as annoying relatively minor faults, plaguing not only No.3 and 32678 but also “Martello”, that attended the phenomenally successful May Gala.  This event also featured a welcome return to top-and-tail Terrier working, which was then replicated over Hoppers’ weekend in September.

Although both locomotives have also been busily employed throughout 2009 on RXD operations mainly in the environs of Rolvenden, they are far from ideal for this work – famously once described by a K&ESR driver as “using a sledgehammer to crack a nut”.

The fundamental problem is that the traditional opportunities for small engine use on passenger trains are diminishing.  Part of the reason is that use of the buffet coach in the principal train on what is quite a long journey to enhance revenue is seen as essential.  This in turn severely limits the permutations off-season for additional seating and brake capacity to keep within the 85-ton limit of “Bodiam” and “Knowle”.  And at other times of the year, such as in the second half of August, the necessity of running a complete or even strengthened Vintage train is patently beyond their capabilities.