- Class: K (maker’s) / 641 (maker’s number)
- Wheels: 0-6-0ST
- Built: 1877, Manning Wardle
- Last Operational: 1958
- Current Status: Static exhibit at Horsted Keynes
- Owned By: Bluebell Railway
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This typical Victorian contractors’ loco is instantly recognisable as a Manning Wardle product. What makes this one special was that it was owned by Joseph Firbank, the contractor who built the Lewes and East Grinstead Railway, of which the Bluebell is a part. Delivered to West Hoathly (just north of our tunnel) it was employed throughout the construction of the line, taking its name (albeit mis-spelt) from the neighbouring village of Sharpthorne. From 1888 until 1982 it was the property of Samuel Williams & Sons and used to shunt the company’s coal dock at Dagenham until withdrawn from service in 1958. It was subsequently placed on loan to Bressingham Steam Museum, and moved to the Bluebell in 1981 for the line’s centenary celebrations in 1982, during which it took part in a locomotive cavalcade at Horsted Keynes.
The above photograph by Mike Esau shows it during this event. Since then it has remained at the Bluebell, having been purchased by the Bluebell from the receivers after Samuel Williams went out of business. Being considerably smaller than ‘Baxter’, it is not a large enough locomotive to haul passengers (although the Selsey Tramway used one of this class for their trains of three 4-wheelers, albeit without the steep gradients of the Bluebell line). As such it can be given no priority in our works schedule for overhaul. However a volunteer group on the railway have it in mind as a project for the future, with an initial aim of a cosmetic restoration and exhibition in Steam Works! at Sheffield Park. In the meantime it remains on static display, now at Horsted Keynes.
