The Spring Steam Gala will feature new additions for a limited time in late March.
Two locomotives came from a light railway. The Weston, Clevedon, & Portishead line closed. The Great Western Railway then used them briefly.
“Fenchurch” is from 1872. William Stroudley designed it. He intended it for London suburban routes. It ran for the London Brighton & South Coast Railway.
These engines were small but strong. Crews liked them. People called them “Terriers.” The name reflected their bustling nature.
Passenger carriages got bigger and heavier. People wanted more comfort. Stronger locomotives handled suburban routes instead.
Many “Terriers” found work elsewhere. Other railway companies and operators used them.
“Fenchurch” went to Newhaven Harbour. It worked on dock lines. Lighter bridges required lighter locomotives. It later joined British Railways. It worked the old Kent & East Sussex Light Railway branch. The Bluebell Railway owns and preserves it now.
Thirty years later, the Great Western Railway needed power. They needed new locomotives for heavy freight trains. Coal and iron ore traffic were key. G.J. Churchward designed a solution.
He designed the 28xx Class engine. Number 2807 was the eighth one made. It is the oldest one left. It is based on the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway.
These engines worked well. More were built with tweaks through 1956. The Western Region wanted even more. Steam’s end was near.
This plan never happened. All were retired a decade later. Most got scrapped but some were saved. Preservation gave them new lives.
“Fenchurch” will only run during the Gala. It will run branch line trains. Engine 2807 arrives in late March. It will help with regular services. It returns to Gloucestershire after the Gala.
The railway appreciates the loan of locomotives. They thank the owners and other railways.