Jubilee’s Cambridgeshire hide-away, and
its Vintage coach partner
Jubilee was one of the four locomotives in steam forming part
of the Steam Gala line up, it may be our
smallest is but arguably our longest serving locomotive. Its movement was watched
for the first time at Chappel, by its former owner Gerald Flueuss. Contact was
made by Jack Cavie, who was researching photographs of the locomotive in
service. Found by the powers of the ‘net, Gerald’s contact details were found
so an invitation was made and accepted. Accompanied by his friend Tony Keeble
travelled from East Sussex, to our Steam Gala day on March 15th.
“Jubilee” was ordered by Edward Lloyd's in 1936, delivered and named in 1937 which was the silver jubilee (25th Anniversary) year of King George V. it was employed on a short length of standard gauge sidings between the Southern Railway branch to Sheerness and the Kemsley Paper works in Kent which at this time was the major newsprint paper manufacturer in the country. This loco’s duties included shunting paper bales and newsprint rolls, the product of the paper works. As originally built it also had sliding glass doors on the cab and smoke stack spark arresting equipment – a precaution required working with so much paper nearby, these have now been removed. It served all its working life at that singular location until the end of steam traction in 1970. It was said that the former driver was almost in tears, and said the boiler was “tight as a drum “– look after it - as it was sold into preservation. Bought for £400 by Gerald, it was taken to the self-styled “South Cambridgeshire Steam Centre” at New Buildings Farm, Great Chishill.
At that location Agricultural contractor, and steam traction
engine enthusiast Robert Drage, tried to set up a public steam museum. Being in
a rural location, planning rules and opposition led to the abandonment of that
plan. As a result Gerald decided to sell
up in 1976; it was a result of the intervention of Reg Robinson that this
locomotive came to Chappel in October 1976, together with the components of
No.11 in its unassembled state.
Gerald then developed his other interests, notabally more closely associated with design and
calligraphy – with specialist knowledge of the Edward Johnston – or London
Transport’s typescript. His steam passion was directed to painting , as a
talented artist, depicting steam in its last grimy, but atmospheric years of British
steam, much as David Shepherd did.
Jubilee is drawn here in oils with the sliding doors on the side which was its original feature Ridham Dock
A train consist at New buildings Farm showing Jubilee hauling vintage 6 wheeler MS&L Coach 946 of 1888.
Jubilee had subsequent modifications in preservation included
adding vacuum train brakes to make it safely compatible with passenger trains. For
many years was the most regular use locomotive here at Chappel. It has now spent
44 years in preservation, so has spent more time in preservation than in
industry.
Jubilee at the moment has the longest boiler certificate to towards
the end of this year, therefore likely to be used in the smaller events after
the colour of the van this outbreak is lifted
Also visiting that day was Tony Keeble who is a vintage carriage
restorer and now a Trustee working for the Great Central Rolling stock Trust.
Tony was born into a family of railway people over three generations and
employed lastly at Cambridge on railway commercial works. He purchased a Great
Central six wheeler coach. (MS&L 946 of 1888). . This has local connections – Taken to Takeley
for a while it also on it’s transport away
from Manningtree (Former Camping Coach
CC15 where it was purchased for £50) – got stuck in Halstead, which over the
years has happened to many stock transfers! This coach has subsequently been
restored over a 15 year period at the Ruddington base of the GCR(North) group.
I recommend a read of the group’s web site – and an account
about vintage carriage restoration that has relevance to us at EARM too
https://gcr-rollingstocktrust.co.uk/
https://gcr-rollingstocktrust.co.uk.gridhosted.co.uk/our-projects/vehicles/m-s-l-no-946/
There is a download link to a pdf detailing the 15 year
restoration scheme ( ) and I have to be a bit jealous – a photo of a Simplex
locomotive propelling this vintage coach.
Tony Keeble
(L) and Gerald Fleuss (R) pictured in the General Waiting room, both enjoyed a
ride in our Vintage stock, for coaches Number 553 & 19 where in service on
the day, so we now know a little more of our own history
