Three “Brighton Line” Tank Engines

Photo Feature

THESE THREE TANK ENGINES were all designed by William Stroudley for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway.

The “Piccadilly”, and the “Brighton” are of the "Terrier" class, probably the most powerful locomotives for their diminutive size that ever ran on any railway. Fifty of these engines were built between 1872 and 1880. They were of the 0-6-0 type; and were of such small dimensions because they had to run over tight rails. The “Piccadilly” was built at Brighton in 1877.

HISTORY WAS MADE when the “Brighton” was exhibited at the Paris Exhibition of 1878, at which it was awarded a gold medal. The neat outline of the engine, and the beautiful gamboge finish, copper chimney cap, and other details which added so much smartness to the Brighton locomotives of the Stroudley era, attracted considerable attention.

THE “LEWES” was one of the 0-4-2 side tanks, which Stroudley designed for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway; 125 of these were built between 1873 and 1877. They had 5 ft 6 in drivers, and their cylinders were 17 in by 24 in This type of tank engine was largely used for suburban work.

You can read more on “Locomotives of the Past”, “The Story of the Southern”, and

“Tank Engines” on this website.