No 260 - Maid of Kent
About the engineIn 1938 Trojan was still the only engine available, and Alex Schwab began designing a new 2-6-0 locomotive with a Great Western outline. He was joined in construction work not only by his father, but also by legendary railway engineer Henry Greenly who checked all designs, and worked on the chasis. Thus was born, in 1939, Maid of Kent, not just the second locomotive in the Saltwood fleet, but the prototype of what is now known throughout the miniature railway world as the “Maid of Kent Class” of locomotive - it is still acknowledged as one of the best ever miniature railway engine designs.
Greenly had previously worked with Captain J E P Howey on the Romney, Hythe, & Dymchurch Railway's engines. Two of these locomotives were originally named Man of Kent and Maid of Kent, but upon delivery Howey changed their names to Hercules and Samson. It was almost certainly Greenly who suggested the Maid of Kent name for the Saltwood engine. So pleased was Alex Schwab with Maid of Kent that he even laid in a spur line for the engine at the south end of Saltwood Station, leading to a specially constructed and reinforced air raid shelter. This protected “260” from the possibility of damage by German attack. Over the years many locomotives of the Maid of Kent design have been built in 7¼” gauge, and also in the neighbouring gauges of 5” and 10¼”. The design remains a huge success. Video of Maid of Kent A very short film clip of Maid of Kent exists on the World News web archive. It may be viewed by clicking HERE. |
Where is it now?
For many enthusiasts of the 7¼” gauge it remains a sadness that the prototype Maid of Kent no longer exists in this form. The engine was sold and left Saltwood in the mid 1970s, and her new owner (John Davis) rebuilt her as a Southern Railway U-class number 1803 named River Itchen. In this form she ran on the Great Cockrow Railway at Chertsey during the late 1970s and through the 1980s. She then left that railway, and operated on another south eastern line until 2005.
Alex Schwab was upset by the rebuilding of the engine, and refused to visit the Great Cockrow Railway or even to discuss John Davis’s work on the engine. He once agreed to look at a photograph of the rebuilt locomotive, but threw it down again, saying “I think it looks just awful”!
To add insult to injury, the 1980s official guide to the Great Cockrow Railway listed 1938 as the engine’s year of building (actually the year of designing) and listed Henry Greenly as the sole builder, with no mention of Alex Schwab!
The locomotive is now owned by Nigel Trower, and is once again operating at the Great Cockcrow Railway. (Thanks to Stephen Trower, Nigel’s son, for the latest information). Nigel Trower is an assiduous and careful owner, and the locomotive is maintained in operating condition.
Alex Schwab was upset by the rebuilding of the engine, and refused to visit the Great Cockrow Railway or even to discuss John Davis’s work on the engine. He once agreed to look at a photograph of the rebuilt locomotive, but threw it down again, saying “I think it looks just awful”!
To add insult to injury, the 1980s official guide to the Great Cockrow Railway listed 1938 as the engine’s year of building (actually the year of designing) and listed Henry Greenly as the sole builder, with no mention of Alex Schwab!
The locomotive is now owned by Nigel Trower, and is once again operating at the Great Cockcrow Railway. (Thanks to Stephen Trower, Nigel’s son, for the latest information). Nigel Trower is an assiduous and careful owner, and the locomotive is maintained in operating condition.