The Kent and East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) is home to the only surviving Hawksworth 16xx pannier tank class – 1638.It was photographed here running in inauthentic R colours – incorrect because the class were built by British Railways from 1949 to 1955.  Although smaller than a Hunslet Austerity, it has reportedly been as useful on the steeply graded line, since it’s arrival in 1992.

On the day visited, 1638 was one of two locomotive’s of western origin in steam, the other being 56xx 6619 (click here to read the blog post).  To read more about this locomotive and class, please click here.  Thanks for reading folks! 🙂