The SECR Centennial
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![SECR Crest](secr.gif)
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On the weekend of
the 5th/6th of August 1999, the formation of the South East and Chatham
Management Committee was celebrated with a centennial event at the Bluebell
railway in Sussex, England. The star attraction was the official launch into
service of the newly restored Wainwright O1. Intensive restoration in the
workshops of the Bluebell railway, as documented
here, finally came to fruition, and all were able to enjoy the results. the
O1 was thought at one stage to be lost to preservation, but the sight greeting
visitors was one to behold with the splendid Wainwright livery showing the
Victorian origins of the design to best effect. The locomotive was run with
vintage rolling stock, at at times run double headed with the similar, but
newer C class. These 2 ran together on the final special train on the Goudhurst
line, and again at the ill fated Ashford centre. Finally, many years later,
they made it again! Here are a few pictures that capture a little bit of the
nostalgic experience that made up the event. The well attended event featured
also SECR wagon stock, Wainwright P class No.323 and quite a few LBSCR
interlopers!
![at the Sheffield Park bridge](65bridge.jpg) |
![3/4 view](65threequarters.jpg) |
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