For Tools of the Trade

32678’s water feed problems over the past few weeks’ have culminated in the fireman’s side injector being sent away for urgent servicing although it is pleasing to report that the offending component is due to be returned to Rolvenden very shortly

Confirmation is therefore eagerly anticipated for the proposed topping-and-tailing with Terriers at the forthcoming annual Hop Pickers’ Weekend, taking advantage of No.3 “Bodiam” still being orientated south

Both the P-class 753 and “Bodiam” have seen early August service with the Vintage train, but now we are in the busiest part of daily running, the game plan is run a strengthened set with a Class 5 locomotive

TTT recently welcomed Monty Baker to the membership ranks – it was his special choice to mark his 90th birthday.  His reminiscences grace many a page of the K&ESR’s The Tenterden Terrier.

Rather belatedly TTT need to record and formally register thanks David Sinclair of the Carriage and Wagon at Tenterden who has fabricated a splendid new toolbox for 32678, assisted by Brian Pennell and Brian Janes.  This was completed in time for its return to service at the May Gala

Operating Assistant Matt Green had made the initial offer to complete the restoration, which curiously was never carried out as part of the 1990s restoration.  “Knowle” had had the signature ex-Isle of Wight extended bunker, sported today by four preserved engines – “Freshwater”, “Martello”, “Newport” and “Whitechapel” – replaced by a traditional Stroudley design and Marsh signature coal rails

As an aside, photographic evidence suggests that the process of adding coal rails followed the ad hoc maintenance pattern so typical of the Brighton.  It is generally accepted many that had their bunkers modified and acquired closed coal rails at or around the time of conversion to A1X but some initially had open rails fitted.  Another piece of Terrier history to be researched and logged…

According to Handel Kardas in Portrait of the Terriers, former owner Rick Edmondson had wanted the engine liveried as No.78 “Knowle”; hence the motivation to restore the correct bunker

The story has another twist for one of Geoff Silcock’s original Sentimental Journeys had him decorate the former “Whitechapel”, aka as K&ESR No.10 “Sutton”, as 32678.  Of course, as previously noted, this engine has the Isle of Wight bunker and with 32678 now itself a passable option for 32655, 32659, 32644 as liveried and in GWR as No.5 “Portishead”, it is likely to be some time before the bunker on “Knowle” is changed again

But then again, no one has yet done a Terrier with interchangeable bunkers to suit livery choice and changes, so in time there is bound to be a first.  It is just a matter of the correct tools of the trade

HN-17/08/2009