Draft:SECR O1 Class 65

The South Eastern and Chatham Railway O class number 65 is an 0-6-0 tender engine designed by James Stirling and built for the South Eastern Railway (SER) and later the South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SE&CR) currently preserved at the Bluebell Railway. SE&CR No. 65 was constructed in 1896 by the Ashford Railway Works and was delivered to the South Eastern Railway (SER) that same year where it was first numbered as 65. When the South Eastern Railway became part of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SE&CR) where it retained its number. When the "Big Four" grouping act had occurred, and the SE&CR became part of the Southern Railway, it was renumbered as No. A65, but would be renumbered to No. 1065. After the 1948 nationalization that created British Railways/British Rail, it was renumbered 31065, until it would be withdrawn from active service in the 1960s. SE&CR No. 65 was purchased for preservation by a Mr. Lewis Evans in 1963. After the purchase it was moved to the Ashford Steam Center along with several other steam locomotives and vehicles of value, there it was restored and put on display. All was fine until 1974 when the center was only opened once a month eventually leading to the location closing down in 1976. To avoid bailiffs from taking the equipment as payment, the vehicles and locomotives were scattered and moved to different sites either being hidden or sold until the situation was resolved. Some engines had found a new home but No. 65 was in line to be repossessed by British Rail and was likely to be sold off for scrapping. In a bid to keep the locomotive off of British Rail's hands, it was decided that the locomotive was to be disassembled and dispersed to sights all over Kent with the tender and frames ending up in Essex. By 1996, the debts had been settled and the owner of No. 65 had decided to approach the Bluebell Railway asking if they can restore the engine for the South Eastern and Chatham Railway's Centenary Celebration due in 1999. Eventually, all the parts were brought together and any damage was put right along the engine to be steamed again in 1999, just in time for South Eastern and Chatham Railway's Centenary Celebration. As of today on 2024, SE&CR No. 65 is still in operation at the Bluebell Railway with its boiler ticket is destined to expire in the year 2027.