TerrierFest I
On the weekend of 18 and 19 November 2000 the Bluebell Railway held a "Memories of the LBSCR" Weekend. The special attraction was the visit of two Terriers from The Isle of Wight Steam Railway and one from the Kent and East Sussex Railway.
Saturday 11 November
IWSR 11 "Freshwater" leads KESR 2678 (formerly "Knowle") from Sheffield Park. Note No.11's non-standard chimney, a replica of one cast on the Island for the Isle of Wight Central Railway.
The pair accelerate way towards Horsted Keynes
No 8 "Freshwater" passes the Water Tower at Sheffield Park as it runs round its train
No. 8 back on her train with No 473 "Birch Grove"
The pair get their train under way
The leading coach is from the "Chesham Set" now in Metroplitan Railway varnished teak
Sunday 19 November
The same pair again, but today pulling a train of compartment carriages in Southern Railway olive green, run into the Up Platform at Sheffield Park
The Isle of Wight engines are air braked. To work on the Bluebell a dummy vacuum brake pipe was used to maintain the continuity of the automatic brake. A breakaway between the two locos would thus apply both brake systems. Nos. 473 and 2678 are both dual fitted.
No 8 waits to come off the train. The loco shed is behind the Pullmans.
Waiting for the road at Horstead Keynes
Much steam rises as the two stand ready to depart for Kingscote
At Kingscote water was taken from the tank wagon adjacent to the Signal Box
The highlight of the weekend was the triple header on Sunday afternoon. Here "Stepney," Knowle" and "Newport" rejoin their train at Kingscote. Note "Stepney" still carries a LBSCR pattern chimney.
The trio prepare to leave hauling the LNWR Observation Saloon and the two operational carriages from the "Chesham Set." This was not the planned formation but arose from disruption to the timetable earlier in the day.
TerrierFest 2: The two Island Terriers are remaining at Sheffield Park so they can take part in the Bluebell's Winter Steam Up on 17 and 18 February 2001.
TerrierFest 3: Next summer the two Bluebell Terriers "Stepney" and "Fenchurch" was due to visit Havenstreet for a reunion with "Freshwater" and "Newport" from 21 to 29 July 2001.