LBSCR A1x class 0-6-0T

LBSCR A1 / A1x class 0-6-0T - Stepney

The "Terriers" led quite nomadic lives with a number being sold by the LBSC to such diverse locations as the Isle of Wight Central Railway, the Freshwater, Newport and Yarmouth Railway, the LSWR, the SECR, the GWR, the KESR/Rother Valley Railway, and to various industrial users such as Grassmoor Collieries and Pauling & Co., to name but a few. Somehow or other, though, many came back into the Southern Railway/Region fold. One such was LBSC Nº72, Fenchurch. Built in November 1872 she was sold 26 years later to the Newhaven Harbour Co. but returned to Southern Railway stock in 1927 as NºB636 and subsequently became 2636, then BR 32636 before finally being sold to the Bluebell Railway where she has had spells in different guises, presently as LBSC 672, a number that she never carried, and in a livery she never wore. She would have, had she not been sold before the renumbering and new paint scheme took place!

With "Terriers" it almost seems to be the rule that the lower the number the newer the loco - quite the opposite of what you would expect! Stepney was not built until December 1875 but carried the number 55. She remained with the LBSC/SR/BR, being renumbered 655, B655, 2655 and finally 32655 before being sold by BR to the Bluebell Railway in 1960 where she has reverted to being Nº55.

photograph by Ray Soper

She is seen in these photographs taking water at Sheffield Park station during the very early days of the Bluebell. Stepney was the Bluebell's very first engine, arriving under her own steam via Haywards Heath and Horsted Keynes on 17th May 1960. She cost just £750.

photograph by Ray Soper

Looking quite diminutive when compared with the coach behind, it's hard to imagine that these locos were once the backbone of the London commuter trains on the East London and South London routes.

photograph by Ray Soper

Stepney in the locomotive shed at Sheffield Park. Note the prominent wooden toolbox, missing on the IoW versions due to their extended bunkers.

photograph by John Lewis

Push-pull working was sometimes adopted in the early days of the Bluebell Railway. Here LBSCR "Terrier" 0-6-0 No 55 (BR No. 32655) is seen leaving Horsted Keynes for Sheffield Park, with the LNWR Observation car and an SECR 100 seater compartment coach.

photograph by Keith Harwood

Number 55 Stepney propelling the SECR brake van to Horsted Keynes on Sunday, 23 September 2000 during a Footplate Days and Ways Footplate and Firing experience trip.

photograph by Michael Taylor

During 1999 number 55 Stepney was temporarily re-lettered as the Brighton Works shunter for a photographic charter, pictured here on 6th June 1999.

photograph by Michael Taylor

A Terrier still earning a commercial living! The Bluebell Railway's A1x Stepney is complete with face for a Friends of Thomas the Tank Engine event. It is pictured in the engine shed at Sheffield Park.

photograph by David Lawrence

All photographs are copyright

This page was last updated 3 September 2007