On the Bluebell Railway, February half-term has seen pre-grouping steam locomotives take centre stage, spearheading services through the Sussex countryside.
The sole survivor of its class, O1 Class - 65 first emerged from Ashford works in 1896 as a South Eastern Railway O Class. In 1899, the SER amalgamated with the London, Dover & Chatham Railway to form the South Eastern & Chatham Railway, and it was under their ownership that 28 members of the O Class were rebuilt with larger boilers to form the O1 Class. 65 was rebuilt as such in 1908, and would go on to provide a total of 65 years’ service before withdrawal in 1961 by British Railways. Bought for preservation in 1963, the O1 arrived at the Bluebell Railway in the late 1990’s; which is home to a further 5 SE&CR locomotives. 65 remains the only surviving ex-SER locomotive.
Joining the O1, would be 72 “Fenchurch”. Built in 1872 to the original A1 spec and later upgraded to A1X, "Fenchurch" is the oldest surviving LB&SCR 'Terrier', and one of two based on the Bluebell Railway. The locomotive was bought for preservation by the fledgling Sussex heritage line upon its withdrawal by British Railways in 1964, proving itself to be a stalwart on services over the succeeding years. Though 72 is still classed as an A1X mechanically, "Fenchurch" has received some cosmetic alterations to appear more in line with the original A1s, the most obvious of which is the shorter smokebox.
The Victorian veterans would be operating Timetable B, which features a two-train service with each making two return trips over the railway. Once night had fallen, 65 would also provide the motive power for a dinning service.
Locomotives:
SE&CR O1 Class - 65
LB&SCR A1X 'Terrier' Class - 72 "Fenchurch"
00:00 - 65 Horsted Keynes footpath
02:34 - 72 Horsted Keynes footpath
03:45 - 72 Imberhorne
04:30 - 65 Sharpthorne Tunnel
06:06 - 72 Three Arch Bridge
07:03 - 65 Three Arch Bridge
08:13 - 72 Tremaines
08:54 - 65 Sheffield Park
Footnote: For those curious of some 'behind the camera' elements. Firstly, the camera I record with - although it is very capable in terms of resolution - rarely records a scene 'as it was'; the playback frequently looking undersaturated and slightly washed-out. Over the past few months, this has driven an increasing effort to refine videos during post-production with applied effects, to bring the recorded clips closer to the reality. Secondly, I purchased a new tripod head during the summer to replace two units which suffered badly with any degree of summer heat, which would result in their fluid heads becoming jolty to operate and result in sub-standard clips. This new unit fairs significantly better through hot spells, while dealing amicably with severe cold. However, it transpires that it struggles with the middle ground of a mild/chilly day; the pan-axis will stick and jolt on its initial movement; but move fine thereafter. If I unwind the resistance on this axis, the sticking will ease, but it becomes too loose once in motion. For both of these issues, this day served as a 'troubleshoot trial'; firstly, investigating and trialling inbuilt effects on the camera, while trying different tripod handle positions against pan resistances to try and find a workable combination for future filming days. Therefore, some of this may look a bit different to normal.
All footage filmed on Saturday the 22nd of February 2025.