In May 2005, Stroudley Terrier No 662, Martello visited the Lavender Line.

This page is a record of that visit

The engine was built in Brighton in October 1875 by the London Brighton & South Coast Railway. It was number 62 of batch no.3 Class A1 designed by William Stroudley and later under BR was numbered 32662.The locomotive worked mainly based around the south London lines where the class earned their nickname of Terriers due to their rapid acceleration which made them very nippy for the period. In 1911 Marsh started to rebuild the class into A1X with a new boiler. Martello followed suit when it came up for overhaul. Martello was one of BR’s oldest engines finally being withdrawn and subsequent sale to Butlins in 1963. It was transported to Point of Ayr holiday camp in 1964 being perched on a wagon in a freight hauled by Henley Hall. In 1971 it left the holiday camp and went to Bressingham Steam in Norfolk. It was returned to traffic for its centenary then once its ten years were up remained a static exhibit until being returned to traffic in late 2005.

Martello at the Lavender Line

Martello arrived at Isfield on a low loader on 8th May. It was steam tested and driver training began immediately. 662 first saw public service on the Lavender Line on Saturday 13th May for a special press day. The rest of the day was devoted to running Martello in celebration of its arrival at Isfield.

On the second weekend at Isfield, a presentation of an engraved stone was made by Matt Green from the Lavender Line to Mr and Mrs French from Bressingham Steam Experience  to thank them for the loan of the locomotive. Authenticity was added to the scene with a guard in period uniform. In addition member Andy Goble had arranged for a Brighton and Hove bus which was named after William Stroudley to stop at the bus stop outside the station so the named bus and a locomotive made by William Stroudley could be seen and recorded side by side for this unique event.

Over the next two week, Martello hauled the service trains and also ran special wine and dine services for member and the general public. Alas the weather on the third weekend was not good and so the public turnout was poor although railway members enjoyed operating the locomotive. 

The final weekend was for the Lavender Line Spring Gala where all available steam traction was displayed and steamed. Soon afterwards the engine left the Lavender Line by low loader to go on to the nearby Spa Valley Railway.

LATEST - Martello returned to Isfield on 17th May 2008 for use on  Clive Groome's footplate courses -  more will be posted here when we have details.

BR days - Little and Large 

"Martello"  32662 with 34018 "Axminster" in the background.