Bodiam

First published in issue 1 of The Tenterden Terrier (Spring) 1973
Reproduced with permission of present editor Mr P D Shaw

The whistles of Swedish, American and English built locomotives greeted our ‘Terrier’ 0-6-0 tank No.3 “Bodiam” when she steamed into Rolvenden Station with a special train on 04 November, for official celebration of her centenary.

Speeches of welcome were made by His Worship, The Mayor of Tenterden, Alderman B J Collison, and Peter Davis, Chairman of the Tenterden Railway Company Ltd., who later introduced the locomotive’s owners, messrs Ron and Vic Wheele of Brighton. No.3 was crewed by Charlie Kentsley, and BR driver Jack Hoad of Tonbridge, who, as many readers may know, began his railway career on the Kent & East Sussex, in the early thirties.

After the ceremony, No.3 made several photographic runs with its train, bearing a commemorative headboard especially painted for the occasion by Dave Dine. These were followed by the running of a second train, powered by ex-Army Hunslet austerity 0-6-0 No.196 and ex-Southern Region USA class 0-6-0 No.22 “Maunsell”.

The fourth locomotive in steam for this historic occasion, was the Swedish built Norwegian State Railways mogul No.376, which provided a high class catering service during the day, with hot dogs grilled in its firebox, and later made a short run, light engine, towards Wittersham and back.

In support of the occasion, we had two visiting traction engines, a fairground organ and an ex-Eastbourne Corporation open-topped Leyland Titan. The Bursens Key organ played throughout the day, and although it was using mains current, the little Wallis & Stevens showmans locomotive with its generator belt slapping away merrily alongside, completed the scene perfectly.

On the opposite side of the yard, a compound Fowler road locomotive from Hawkhurst was marshalled alongside the Tunbridge Well’s group’s 5” gauge portable miniature railway which provided visiting children with rides during the day.