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Ex-Littlehampton Locos
Topic Started: 3 Apr 2012, 10:51 AM (2,253 Views)
Murray Tremellen
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Sherpa's visit to Littlehampton reminded me of the steam loco ordered for the LMR back in 1990 by then-concessionaire K. Craven. According to Simms' book:
"Construction of this steam locomotive commenced at Iron Hose Engineering of Southbourne, but the company failed shortly after. The design was based on a Baldwin 1879-built Denver & Rio Grande 2-8-0 tender type. The incomplete steam locomotive was transferred and stored at Steaming for Pleasure, Yapton. Construction recommenced in late 1997 and the locomotive should be operational by mid-1998 (remaining Craven's property) and although it may yet be tested on the Littlehampton Miniature Railway it will eventually be sold on to any interested party."

Anybody know what happened to her? Also, what has happened to the hideous steam-outline loco that ran the line before the current owners took over?
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John Nicholson
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I would love to know what happened to the two thurston steamers that worked at LMR in the 70s. I only saw them once, in 1972, but have no idea where they are now.

John
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Murray Tremellen
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According to Simms the Thurstons they were sold to one J. Hughes of Evesham in 1986. Whether he still has them I don't know.
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MTA
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I remember someone (probably Mr. Craven) coming to Pulborough many moons ago with a picture of a 12 1/4" American steam loco . I can't remember much about it, but I don't think it was a 2-8-0... He was selling it, someone at Pulborough had expressed an interest to convert it to 10 1/4" but nothing came of it.

I hope that is of some help!
"If the fascination engendered by locomotion at the present day is so intense, the attractive powers of locomotion in miniature must of necessity be greater still"

W.J. Bassett-Lowke. August 1911
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Murray Tremellen
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Thanks Si, it's nice to have some confirmation that she exists! I suppose it would make sense for a private buyer to convert her to 10.25". If she's gone to a private collection then she could be anywhere now. Oh well, we'll have to hope she turns up one day...
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alanjohnlew
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MuzTrem
7 Apr 2012, 09:29 PM
Thanks Si, it's nice to have some confirmation that she exists! I suppose it would make sense for a private buyer to convert her to 10.25". If she's gone to a private collection then she could be anywhere now. Oh well, we'll have to hope she turns up one day...
Was she completed and run as a 12.25" loco?
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colinpeake
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I seem to recall having seen a picture of it completed in an old 'Narrow gauge News' - I'll try and find the reference...

Colin
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colinpeake
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Ok, here we go, a paragraph or two and photo by Ken Bean appeared in NGN 231, March 1999. The photo shows the loco in the shed at Littlehampton during a period of trial steamings, early/mid Nov 1998. The loco is described as being owned by Keith Craven (former LMR owner) in one paragraph, and Andrew Reen of Steaming for pleasure in another! It was for sale at the time.

Colin
Colin Peake
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Murray Tremellen
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Even better! Many thanks Colin :)
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alanjohnlew
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Unfortunately my NGNs don't go back that far. Would there be copyright probs posting it here? If so could you pm me a copy?
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colinpeake
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alanjohnlew
9 Apr 2012, 10:40 AM
Unfortunately my NGNs don't go back that far. Would there be copyright probs posting it here? If so could you pm me a copy?
I am reluctant to post it here for copyright reasons - if you PM me your email address I can hopefully sort something out ;)

Colin
Colin Peake
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jma1009
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hi, sorry to resurrect an old post but i have a particular interest in the 2 thurston littlehampton locos, having spent many hours as a kid watching them and travelling behind them.

i met mr craven around 1996/7.

he told me the 2 thurston locos were in storage at steaming for pleasure's address in yapton west sussex, where they had been for some time. he had visited yapton a number of times.

his american 2-8-0 loco was also there partly completed. i am quite sure it was 7.25"g and not 12.25"g.

the reference in Simms to the thurstons being sold to a mr j hughes of evesham in 1986 may be correct, but from the information i was provided with they were definitely at yapton in 1996/7 and had been for some time.

any further information would be of great interest.

cheer,
julian
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jma1009
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a few reminiscences might be in order...

a trip on the littlehampton miniature railway when i was a kid was a choice between an ice cream or a ride - an easy decision for me! ive still got some card tickets from the maxfield era. i believe maxfield lived in quite a posh part of bognor.

the railway had an incredibale fascination for me and is probably why ive been interested in steam locos ever since. it had a ramshackle look with lean to sheds and workshop at mewsbrook park dating back to 1948. you threaded past these buildings on the outward trip, down the gradient to the sea front and along sea road to the norfolk road terminus. the approach to norfolk road was covered in shrubs that gave added excitment. if properly timed (i was rather good at this) you could secure the seat behind the driver at the front of the train. when returning to mewsbrook park the loco was working hard propelling its train, but the cinders fell behind the loco and not on the train.

the ticket office (a wooden shed at each end of the line) would be closed before departure, and whistle and flag used to give the 'right away' but i dont ever remember a guard travelling on the train.

behind the sheds was a fascinating junkyard glimpsed as the train sped past. the bodies of the original coaches were here covered in brambles. the inside of the lean to shed that served as a workshop and store looked like a fascinating alladin's cave to a small boy!

each winter the locos were removed to luggs of billingshurst for safe keeping and any repairs. i dont recall ever seeing 'henry' in steam, but it was usually on display on the turntable whilst 'gordon' pulled/pushed the trains.

both locos still had vacuum brake valves fitted, although the coaches had long since ceased to be fitted with any brakes.

i remember the new sewerage works being built and the diversion to the track which diverted the track to the north of the sheds which required a new water tower.

my last trip behind 1005 'gordon' was in 1982 when aged 15. i had my last chat with dennis gould who had looked after everything for so many years.

i still think 'gordon' and 'henry' the most beautiful locos ive ever known!

cheers,
julian
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Dougie1
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Hi there .

The last time 1005 (Gordon) ran for the public was in 1999 on Ken Bean's private line in surry. (one of his open days).

When 1010 (Henery) last ran for the public was at the end of Arther Maxfield's Littlehampton line in aprox 1984-1986 .

1005 (Gordon) is now kept on a private line in Lincolshire, with 1010 ( Henery) to keep him company.

Regards

Douglas Hughes
12" and 12 1/4" thats me
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