The Terrier Trust - Information

News and updates on the restoration of 2678

Click here for full details of Terrier 150 programme

MAY 2021

2678 returns to service

2678 21 May 21 crop

See more in News section, including 2678's journey to theIsle of Wight

NOVEMBER 2020

2678 on the Right Track

2678 smoke 2 Dan Dickson 17 Nov 20

On the way back - smoke drifts from 2678's chimney
17 Nov 2020 - courtesy Dan Dickson

2678’s return to service took a big step forward on 17 November when the 140 year old locomotive was moved from the Locomotive Shed to the yard at Rolvenden and a warming fire lit in readiness for testing.

2678 signwriting M Green

Signwriter Matt Green at work - November 2020

The Victorian veteran looks stunning in the 1940s “Bulleid” Southern livery of unlined black with sunshine lettering. The Trust extends its thanks to Dan Dickson, Liam Head and the rest of the team at Rolvenden that have worked on the overhaul including Richard Stone who was responsible for the mirror finish on the paintwork and Matt Green who carried out the signwriting.

2678 cab November 2020

The ex-works condition of the cab demonstrates the care and attention that the team at Rolvenden has given 2678 - courtesy Liam Head

Final testing and running in is expected over the next few weeks in readiness for a formal return to service which Covid restrictions mean will likely be early in the New Year.

A new dome to replace the original cracked one is on order, in the meantime, the Bluebell Railway has kindly loaned the one from sister locomotive, Fenchurch.

2678 yard 17 Nov 2020 low res

The new Isle of Wight style bunker receives its first load as 2678 is coaled ahead of testing - 17 Nov 2020 - courtesy Dan Dickson

JULY 2020

Recent progress has seen 2678's boiler partially lagged and reunited with the frames for a trial fitting

2678 boiler fit July 2020 R White lr

Photo © Robin White

Boiler fit L Donaldson July 2020 lr

2678's boiler is eased gently back into the frames Photo © Laurence Donaldson

JUNE 2020

2678 frames and motion painted 27 June 2020 RW

Further progress with painting - June 2020 Photo © Robin White

We’re delighted that work on 2678 has resumed at Rolvenden works and while the priority is currently getting the serviceable locos back into traffic ready for the K&ESR’s resumption of services in July, further painting has been carried out as the frames and motion await the refitting of the boiler.

Some further detail on the steam test carried in March. This identified a leak from the dome. The original (on ground in silver) turned out to have a long crack between the mounting holes and the bell of the dome.

The K&ESR had a spare dome (on ground, left in green primer) which was thought to be from a Terrier but didn’t fit! Does anyone know which loco it might be from?

Until one can be manufactured, we are grateful to our friends from the Bluebell Railway for the loan of the steam dome from terrier ‘Fenchurch’. The eagle-eyed will spot that this dome is smaller, being originally for an ‘A1’ boiler rather than the later ‘A1X’ type but has been fitted with an extension piece. The new dome will be funded from the Terrier 150 Appeal being run jointly by The Terrier Trust and K&ESR to fund the overhauls of 2678 and No 3 Bodiam in time for the anniversary of the class in 2022 - DONATE NOW.

Meanwhile, the tanks are due back shortly from the contractor in Southampton and then a start can be made on reassembly.

2678 3 domes 27 June 2020 RW

Boiler June 2020 Photo © Robin White

APRIL 2020

The lockdown in response to coronavirus has slowed work in April and delayed updates here but good progress was made in February and early March.

Boiler Steam Test Dan Dickson lr

Boiler test - March 2020 Photo © Dan Dickson

IOW style bunker painted Dan Dickson lr

Newly fitted IOW style bunker Dan Dickson lr

Isle of Wight style bunker fitted and painted - February & March 2020 Photos © Dan Dickson

Bunker cut here

Cut along dotted line! The preservation-era bunker about to be removed - 7 February 2020. Photo © Andy Hardy

JANUARY 2020

2678 on Schedule for Spring Return To Steam Shed staff and volunteers at the Kent & East Sussex Railway’s Rolvenden Loco Works are making good progress with the overhaul of locomotive 2678 in readiness for the popular “Terrier” Class engine to make a return to traffic this spring – 80 years after the 1880-built veteran first arrived on the line. FULL STORY HERE

George Moffatt Painting one of the big ends in primer Travis Simms

Boiler with new smokebox Jan 2020 Matt

Funds are still needed to allow momentum to be maintained.

OCTOBER 2019

The old boards from the cab floor have been removed and the metalwork underneath thoroughly needlegunned to removed the accumalted coal dust and other debris.

Needlegunned cab floor Liam Head 9 10 19

Photo © Liam Head - 9 October 2019

SEPTEMBER 2019

With the daily running season over the staff and volunteers at the K&ESR's Rolvenden Works have been able to focus on 2678's overhaul and have made rapid progress

Download the latest report here 2678 Update - Sept 2019

Smokebox Trial Fit September 2019

JULY 2019

The K&ESR's 36ton steam crane was used to lift 2678's boiler

Boiler Lift 8 Jul Alan Crotty

Photo © Alan Crotty - 8 July 2019

JUNE 2019

Adrian Landi and Dan Dickson removing rivets in prepartion for the removal of the smokebox

Rivet removal 27 June 2019 David Nibloe

Photo © David Nibloe - 26 June 2019

MAY 2019

2678 stripped down in readiness for a visit from the boiler inspector

2678 Rolvenden 24 5 19 R White

Photo © Robin White - 24 May 19

Terrier Trust members visited Rolvenden following the Trust's AGM on 11 May to see progress on 2678 first-hand. Dismantling is proceeding apace with tanks, dome, chimney and part of the cab removed in preparation for lifting the boiler out of the frames.

2678 largely dismantled Rolvenden 11 May 2019 G Hukins

2678 largely dismantled B Rolvenden 11 May 2019 G Hukins

2678 largely dismantled C Rolvenden 11 May 2019 G Hukins

2678 largely dismantled D Rolvenden 11 May 2019 G Hukins

A largely-dismantled 2678 stands in the yard at Rolvenden © Graham Hukins - 11 May 19

APRIL 2019

2678 no chimney 30 4 19 Tom White low res

32678 devoid of chimney as dismantling progresses © Tom White - 30 Apr 19

2678 Cab No Fittings 30 4 19 T White low res

The remaining cab fittings had been taken off by the end of April © Tom White - 30 Apr 19

MARCH 2019

32678 start of overhaul David Brenchley 20 Mar 19

32678 with gauges and some cab fittings removed ready for the start of her overhaul © David Brenchley - 20 Mar 19

Staff and volunteers at the Kent & East Sussex Railway’s Rolvenden locomotive works have made a start on the overhaul of Trust's locomotive No. 32678 which should see the 1880-built Terrier return to service towards the end of this year - the first element of the exciting Terrier 150 initiative.

FEBRUARY 2019

32678 photo charter Orpins sunset 22 Feb 19 Andrew Hardy

The sunset of 32678's previous spell in traffic came in late February. She is seen here rounding Orpin's curve near Rolvenden on 22 Feb 19. © Andrew Hardy

32678 Bodiam Neil Instrall crop2 2678 BLOG - Click for news and update's on 2678's restoration

2678bodiam1940 NO.(3)2678 - A BRIEF HISTORY

2678 is is an A1X “Terrier” Class 0-6-0 tank engine built in 1880 by the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway and then known as No. 78 “Knowle”.

As No 78, the locomotive entered service on 23 July 1880. Between that date and the formation of the Southern Railway in 1923, "Knowle" ran an incredible total for a small engine of nearly a million miles.

For a short period in the early 1930s, it saw service on the lighter lines of the Isle of Wight, for which it was fitted with an extended bunker, becoming No.14 Bembridge.

24 October 2021 05 1800 px GMP CollectSlide29357 32678 NorthHayling

On return to the mainland in 1936, it was reboilered and renumbered No.2678, joining the fleet of Terriers used on the Hayling Island branch until 1940, when it was sent on what proved to be an extended loan to the K&ESR.

Apart from brief trips away, such as a visit to Brighton works in 1949 following a derailment near Wittersham Road, No.32678 stayed at Rolvenden and, along with 32655, better known today as the Bluebell Railway’s Stepney, shared in the working of the last passenger trains on 02 January 1954. Even then, its association with the K&ESR did not end, for it frequently returned to pull goods trains or the occasional passenger special.

678 spent a further three year spell at Hayling Island from 1958 until 1961, after which it went to Newhaven Harbour until withdrawal in 1963, having run 1,389,447 miles. In 1964 she was sold to Butlins, becoming an exhibit in the children’s playground at Minehead. Here it had the illustrious company of Stanier Pacific No.46229 Duchess of Hamilton.

In 1975, a lengthy restoration began, first at Resco Railways in Woolwich and then at Rolvenden. This took many years to complete, but No.32678, now in BR lined black livery, was in service in time to take part in the re-opening of the K&ESR extension from Northiam to Bodiam in April 2000.

Now wholly owned by The Terrier Trust CIO, who purchased it following an appeal, when the previous owner wished to sell, No.32678 is a regular performer on the line. The locomotive has paid visits to several other heritage railways including the Bluebell, Severn Valley, North Yorkshire Moors, Mid-Hants and the West Somerset. Wherever she works, 32678 attracts widespread attention because of her lively performance for such a diminutive engine.

She returned to service in spring 2021 just over 80 years after she foirst arrived on the K&ESR in 1940 and sees use on special occasions - often with some of the line's vintage carriages. 2678 has also proved a popular guest engine at gala weekends visiting the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway, Spa Valley Railway and Didcot Railway Centre in 2021.

2678 BLOG - Click for the story of 2678's restoration

150 Years of History - to be told in steam over the next decade!
Donations 3

We're delighted that the appeal was successful and has met its £150,000 target. Help is still needed to keep the two wonderful Victorian locomotives on track and you can do so by joining The Terrier Trust as an annual or life member.

Terrier Class locomotives Nos. 3 Bodiam and 2678 are the oldest in the Kent & East Sussex Railway’s fleet and representatives of a type that has been synonymous with the line for over a century. The plucky pair are owned by The Terrier Trust CIO* and cared for by the Kent & East Sussex Railway.

Poplar

Bodiam, as L&BSCR No. 70 Poplar, was the first of the Terrier Class constructed in 1872 and one of the first batch to enter service so both charities are determined to see her in action for her 150th Birthday.

Terrier 150 is an ambitious programme to not only achieve that, but additionally, to tell the story of the once 50-strong class of diminutive locos, whose longevity and usefulness is legendary.

2678 will play a key role in Terrier 150, bringing the wider Terrier history to life between marking the 80th anniversary of her first appearance on the K&ESR in 2020 and her own 150th in 2030.

Work on both locomotives will commence in the next few weeks with 2678 expected to re-enter service later this year while Bodiam will be back in action in time to celebrate in 2022.

You can help turn these exciting plans into reality by donating to the Terrier 150 Appeal which aims to raise £150,000, the sum needed to fund the overhauls of both locomotives and enable some almost-forgotten chapters of Terrier history to be recreated.

Terrier 150 will do more than simply mark the 150^th anniversary of these magnificent machines, the programme will also show their impact on the K&ESR, other lines once run by Colonel Stephens and railways more generally.

The compact, lightweight, yet powerful design made the Terriers particularly useful and versatile. This led to them being used in numerous locations, for a variety of purposes and for many years after they were deposed from their original duties. Remarkably 10 have survived into preservation, including the pioneering “Poplar”.

No. 3 Bodiam

Over the course of the next few years, several milestones in No. 3’s unique history will be remembered. These include:

1872 Entered service as LBSCR No. 70 Poplar

1901 - 1930s Purchased by the Rother Valley Railway (later K&ESR), renamed No. 3 “Bodiam” becoming a regular performer on K&ESR throughout the line’s busiest years

1930s - 1940s Kept in service through a series of heavy repairs which included using parts from other Terriers and repainting in K&ESR apple green

1947 - 1954 Thoroughly overhauled at Brighton and painted in K&ESR dark green, a livery she carried under BR until the line closed to passengers in 1954!

1954 - 1963 Used on goods services and specials on K&ESR, and then on the Hayling Island Branch that was run exclusively by Terriers!

1963 Saved for preservation and returned to K&ESR

No. 2678

Plans for this loco, which started life in 1880 as LB&SCR No. 78 Knowle include recreating highlights from her history, such as:

15 Feb 1940 Entered K&ESR service as 2678 on hire from the Southern Railway

Knowle at Fratton 1904 10

1948—1949 Immediately post-nationalisation continued on K&ESR with a “3” added to her number and “Southern” signwriting painted out

to 18 Oct 1958 In BR black, she continued as a K&ESR stalwart before being transferred to Hayling

2678 will also conjure up memories of members of the class that did not survive, creating contemporary scenes based on those Terriers in action through the ages. Possibilities include:

No. 42 Tulsehill Locomotive Department shed pilot at Battersea in 1919

SMR No. 8 One of several Terriers purchased by Colonel Stephens, No 8 Dido ran on the Shropshire & Montgomeryshire Railway until the late 1930s. In 1941, her tanks were sold for use on No. 3

EHLR No. 1 One of the pair Terriers purchased for the ill-fated Edge Hill Light Railway in Warwickshire

WC&PR Nos. 2 and 4 The Weston, Clevedon & Portishead Railway bought two Terriers. When the line closed in 1940, the pair became the only Terriers owned by the Great Western Railway

32644 Operated on K&ESR in late 40s with BRITISH RAILWAYS painted in full on the tank sides

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LATEST UPDATES

Bodiam overhaul blog

2678 overhaul blog

GIFT AID IT

If you are a UK taxpayer and donate using Gift Aid, the K&ESR can claim 25p from the Government to add to the appeal for every £1 you donate!

The Terrier 150 appeal and programme is organised jointly by:

The Terrier Trust CIO - Charity No. 1165782

and

Kent & East Sussex Rly - Charity No. 262481

* Ownership of No. 3 Bodiam is split, with The Terrier Trust CIO owning 75% and the K&ESR 25%. 2678 is wholly-owned by TTT

Join The Terrier Trust

More information on No. 3 Bodiam

32678 1949 More details about 2678

March 2020: During the current restrictions to combat Coronavirus, it may take longerthan usual to acknowledge donations and to arrange the benefits shown above. Contributions are nevertheless still very welcome, and very much needed, to ensure No. 3 is back in action for 2022.

No 3 Mixed 2 Jan 2010 Geoff Silcock

No 3 Bodiam will celebrate her 150th Anniversary in 2022.

The correspondence address for The Terrier Trust is:-

The Secretary
The Terrier Trust
Holgates,
10 Virgins Lane,
Battle
East Sussex
TN33 0JH

Relevant contributions to the website are most welcome. In the first instance, please contact by completing in the form below.

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