In Which We Serve

Although proposed several months’ ago, it was not certain until literally the last minute that 32678 would be serviceable to meet its intended anniversary commitment on the last Friday of the half term holiday, following attention to its side rods.

The original idea had been two run a two-Terrier service on Friday 19th February 2010 to mark the 70th anniversary of the then Southern 2678 arriving on the K&ESR for the first time in February 1940, shortly before the Dunkirk Evacuation and then the Battle of Britain.  In doing so, she became the third Terrier to be hired by the old company from its much larger neighbour; initially this was concurrent with 2659 (“Cheam”) that had replaced 2655 (“Stepney”) towards the end of 1939.

But the plan, subject to availability, was scaled back in the timetable to double-heading, plus the DMMU forming the second set.

Apart from overhauls, repairs following the 1949 derailment and a short spell in store at Ashford, as 2678, and later 32678 under BR auspices, the locomotive was a regular sight on the railway for some 18 years to 1958.  She played a vital role throughout World War II, during which the K&ESR was an important secondary and diversionary route, and is perhaps best-known for working part of the last through passenger train on the K&ESR, with “Stepney” on 2nd January 1954.

In the summer “Knowle” will be marking her 130th anniversary, although apart from the wheels and frames, very little can survive of the original LB&SCR No.78 that became the 46th Terrier to enter traffic on 23rd July 1880.

Locomotives 3 and 32678, both immaculately turned out, ran two regular passenger trains coupled, unusually, smokebox to smokebox, which departed Tenterden Town at 10.40am and 1.15pm.  Between them, they have now clocked up a total of 266 completed years of non-contiguous service.

Both engines should again be working at the Branch Line Weekend event on March 20th and 21st – it is understood the intention is to change locomotives at Bodiam station.  P-class 753 and “Charwelton” (fresh from overhaul) are also expected to be in action.

HN-19/02/2010