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WELCOME
TO THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE TERRIER TRUST
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Terriers reproduced in artwork are not exactly uncommon. Most obviously springing to mind are the more contemporary efforts of Matthew Cousins with his base at Horsted Keynes station, the great Chris Woods, Richard Green and Stuart Black. But every now and again, like some half-forgotten wreck on the Goodwin Sands, a nugget of Terrier information, an old photographic print or a painting resurfaces. TTT has recently had its attention drawn to an image of GWR No.5 “Portishead”; formerly WC&PR No.2 “Portishead” – originally No.43 “Gypsy Hill” (elided on the tank side to GYPSYHILL). It was taken at Taunton, and therefore most likely dates from 1948 or 1949; here is the link to the website http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2564137 At least as interesting is a rather naive yet fascinating gouache painting from 1905 signed by an artist called A Street in 1905 of a train on the Axminster to Lyme Regis branch heading to the coast whilst running over Cannington Viaduct. Indubitably it confirms the usual passenger coach formation comprising four (as in this case) or six four-wheelers and proves the existence of mixed trains in the early days with a single coal wagon, possibly for locomotive use at the terminus tacked on the end. But the coaches are small, even in comparison to the diminutive locomotive which is, without doubt, a representation of a Terrier locomotive. The branch opened on the 24th of August 1903 and at 6.75 miles long was roughly comparable with the distance from Northiam to Tenterden Town. But the gradients were ferocious – up to 1 in 40 in both directions and the route very twisty. The contractor’s locomotive, an 0-6-0ST No.131 of the ‘330’ class was originally intended to operate the line, but this was dropped in favour of the two L&SWR Terriers, the former “Clapham” and “Newington” that double-headed the opening train. In all likelihood they were acquired from the LB&SCR specifically to operate the branch based on their successes elsewhere, most notably on the Isle of Wight |
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Charity No. 1050480 |
In late 1913 the 02s would be themselves be usurped by another Adams design, this time the famous 4-4-2T Class 415, better known as the Adams Radial that became synonymous with the Lyme Regis branch throughout the rest of its history. It is not inappropriate to note that the Southern later had to acquire the former 488 back from the East Kent Railway to work the railway, nor that the 02s would finish the careers of the Terriers on the Island just as they did between Axminster and Lyme Regis. But for at least a couple of years the two Terriers had held sway as A Street recorded for posterity. HN-31/08/2011
The rather naive but quirkily attractive original gouache painting of Cannington Viaduct near Lyme Regis that has recently come to light, painted by A Street in 1905. |
