Ex-South Eastern & Chatham Railway Wainwright 'L' class 4-4-0 No. 31781. Manufactured by Borsig of Berlin, Germany and assembled at Ashford in July 1914 as SE&CR No. 781. Withdrawn in June 1959.

Railway history delivers some odd stories! None stranger than the SE&CR 'L' class whose designer, Harry Wainwright had resigned before their construction. A shortage of locomotives saw the SE&CR make the unusual step of placing the order with a German firm, Borsig. Delivered in kit form to Ashford, they arrived at the outbreak of WW1 and were (understandably) not paid for. Typical of British gentlemanly 'fair play', the Borsig account was fully settled after the cessation of hostilities! Very smart 31781 is seen at Ramsgate MPD in May 1956.

© Ken Widd-SA Collection