Images Dated 2012 May

Northiam on the Kent & East Sussex Railway c.1937

K&ESR Locomotive No.2 "Northiam" at Rolvenden with members of staff. The loco was built was built by R & W Hawthorn Leslie of Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1899 and became famous when she featured in the 1937 film "Oh Mr. Porter. The film starred Will Hay, Moore Marriott and Graham Moffatt and exterior scenes were shot on the Basingstoke & Alton Light Railway which at the time was being dismantled. For the film "Northiam" was renamed "Gladstone" and fitted with a taller chimney with a spiked top. No.2 was returned to the K&ESR in the same condition as received, without a spiked topped chimney and was withdrawn from service and sold in 1941
Ronald Shephard Collection
West Sussex Record Office Ref No: Shephard 1/28/4

© West Sussex County Council - All Rights Reserved

Loco Exe on the Lynton & Barnstable Railway c. 1933

Loco "Exe" is seen at Pilton Yard with carriage stock. The loco is in intermediate livery which was applied between 1927/29.
This line of 1ft 11.5in gauge was opened in 1898 and closed in 1935. The railway was sold to the LSWR in 1923b by which time the LSWR was part of the Southern Railway. Unfortunately the improvements carried out by the SR were fruitless in the face of road competition and following the closure of the line the assets were auctioned off
Ronald Shephard Collection
West Sussex Record Office Ref No: Shephard 1/38/1

© West Sussex County Council - All Rights Reserved

Inaugural train, on RHDR 5 August 1926

The Duke of York at New Romney having driven the inaugural train on The Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, hauled by "Northern Chief" from The Duke of York's bridge a distance of 1.5 miles from New Romney. Accompanying the Duke of York on the footplate is Capt.J.Howey, principal shareholder, whilst on the tender is Mr. H.N. Gresley, the C.M.E. of the London & North Eastern Railway. The line was officially opened on 16 July 1927.
Ronald Shephard Collection
West Sussex Record Office Ref No: Shephard 1/56/5

© West Sussex County Council - All Rights Reserved