Taken from the RHDR WEBSITE
Ordered in 1926 and delivered on 20th April
Ordered in 1926 and delivered on 20th April
1927, she was originally to be called Southern
Chief, but for some reason, Captain Howey
changed his mind and the nameplates were
removed before she entered service.
In 1946 Southern Maid was involved in an
accident and ended up in a dyke, after being
rammed by a lorry on a level crossing near
Dymchurch.
During her 1947 refit, the Maid received a large
capacity tender and a livery similar to that of
Green Goddess. However, in 1954 she received
a brown umber coat of paint and smoke
deflectors soon followed in 1955.
A French Grey livery was applied in 1959, a
Malachite green in 1965 and LNER Apple Green
in 1971, when the smoke deflectors were
removed. She has seen more changes of livery
than any other Romney loco.
During May 1998 she travelled up to the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway in Cumbria for
the 75th birthday party of their loco River Esk.
Prior to her most recent overhaul, Southern Maid
appeared in the colours of the former South
Eastern & Chatham Railway. She currently has a
tender similar the one attached to Northern Chief
and her whistle is an ex-Isle of Wight section
'hooter' from the Southern Railway.
Southern Maid returned to New Romney for the
Steam and Diesel Gala in May 2003, following
an extensive overhaul. Her new livery, lining and
lettering is based on that as seen on the
locomotive when delivered in 1927
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