Steam Locomotive BR 32670 POPLAR Class A1 converted to a A1X Terrier Class 0-6-0T tank engine LBSCR No. 70

Heritage & Preserved Steam Locomotives

My Archive Steam Photos from the 1960s

Steam Locomotive BR 32670 POPLAR Class A1 converted to a A1X Terrier Class 0-6-0T tank engine LBSCR No. 70 on the Kent & East Sussex Railway (2024, photo courtesy of Kentish Bob YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@kentishbob6423 )

Steam locomotive 32670, also known as "Bodiam" and originally "Poplar," is a well-known example of the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway (LB&SCR) A1/A1X "Terrier" class of 0-6-0T tank engines. These small, powerful locomotives were designed by William Stroudley and became highly successful and long-lived.

History

Origins (LB&SCR): No. 32670 was built in December 1872 at the Brighton works of the LB&SCR as No. 70 "Poplar." It was one of the initial six A1 class locomotives designed for hauling commuter trains on the heavily congested lines in South and South-East London, known for their high acceleration. A total of 50 "Terriers" were built between 1872 and 1880.
Sale to Rother Valley Railway (K&ESR): In 1901, with 664,108 miles on the clock, "Poplar" was sold to the Rother Valley Railway (later renamed the Kent & East Sussex Railway - K&ESR) for £650. It was renumbered to No. 3 and given the name "Bodiam" after a location on the railway. It was also fitted with vacuum brakes at Brighton Works.
Rebuild to A1X: While originally an A1 class, 32670 was the last of the class to be rebuilt and reclassified as an A1X in 1943, a process that involved re-boilering and extending the smokebox, among other changes.
British Railways (BR) Ownership: Upon nationalization of the railways in 1948, the K&ESR, and thus "Bodiam," became part of British Railways (Southern Region). It received the BR number 32670. At this time, it was classified as 0P (Other Passenger) due to its smaller size and lower power output compared to larger locomotives.
Withdrawal and Preservation: Following the closure of the K&ESR line to passengers in 1954 and goods service in 1961, 32670 was transferred elsewhere and eventually withdrawn from BR service in November 1963. However, it was purchased by a private owner in April 1964 for use on the preserved Kent & East Sussex Railway, where it has remained ever since.

Technical Specification (A1X Class, as 32670 was rebuilt)

The "Terrier" class locomotives were known for their compact size and efficiency. While specific figures can vary slightly based on rebuilds, here are general technical specifications for the A1X class:

Wheel Arrangement: 0-6-0T (Tank engine)
Designer: William Stroudley
Builder: Brighton Works (LB&SCR)
Build Date: December 1872 (as No. 70 "Poplar")
Driving Wheel Diameter: 4 ft 0 ins (1219 mm)
Cylinders: 13 in x 20 in (bore x stroke) - *Note: Original A1s had 12x20, but variations existed, and rebuilds could alter this.*
Boiler Pressure: 150 psi
Tractive Effort: Approximately 10,410 lbf (earlier A1s were 7,650 lbf, A1Xs often had higher tractive effort due to higher boiler pressure and/or cylinder changes)
Weight (Empty): Approximately 28 tons 5 cwt
Valve Gear: Stephenson (slide valve)
Fuel: Coal
Gauge: 4 ft 8.5 in (Standard Gauge)
BR Power Classification: 0P

Operational History

Locomotive 32670 had a long and varied operational life:

London Suburban Services: As LB&SCR No. 70 "Poplar," it was initially employed on the busy London suburban lines, excelling in their requirement for quick acceleration between closely spaced stations.
Kent & East Sussex Railway: After being sold to the K&ESR and becoming No. 3 "Bodiam," it worked on this light railway, known for its challenging gradients and curves. It was a staple of the K&ESR's operations for many years.
British Railways Era: Under BR ownership, 32670 continued to work on the former K&ESR lines. It also saw service on other lightly laid and weight-restricted branches, including the Hayling Island Branch Line. Notably, 32670, along with 32636 ("Fenchurch"), worked the very last BR passenger train on the K&ESR in 1961. It ended its working career with BR in 1963, serving as a coal stage pilot at Brighton.
Preservation: Since its purchase in 1964, 32670 has been a prominent locomotive on the Kent & East Sussex Railway (heritage railway). It has undergone various overhauls and restorations to keep it in working order. In recent years, it has been a popular visitor to other preserved railways. It regained its original name and number, "Poplar" No. 70, in its Stroudley's Improved Engine Green livery for its 150th birthday in 2022, after a major overhaul at the North Norfolk Railway. It is currently operational at the Kent & East Sussex Railway.

Locomotive 32670 is a significant surviving example of a highly successful class of tank engines, representing different eras of British railway history, from its suburban origins to its role on a rural light railway and its continued operation in preservation.

My Archive Steam Photos from the 1960s

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