Building the Canterbury Lamb   3 1/2" locomotive


I started building the Canterbury Lamb Invicta locomotive many years ago, in fact so long ago I do not know the start date but today is 10 December 2019 !!

I have since learned that Canterbury Lamb Invicta is described in Model Engineer  Vol 107-108 which I will research. I also learned that there is a dimensional error relating to the line up of the valve chest linkages/centre line and something amiss with the tender brake linkages, which I will also need to check out.

It is believed that Invicta is an early steam locomotive, built by Robert Stephenson and Company in Newcastle-upon-Tyne during 1829 and that she was the twentieth locomotive built by railway engineers the Stephenson's, being constructed immediately after Rocket. Invicta marked the end of the first phase of locomotive design, which had started with Richard Trevithick's Coalbrookdale locomotive of 1802.

I also believe that Invicta hauled its first train on the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway on 30th May 1830, which was also the first steam-powered passenger service on the railway. Invicta remained in active service until 1839, when stationary engines were introduced to pull trains. Following a failed attempt to sell the locomotive, she was placed in storage. The stored ‘’Invicta’’ became the property of the South Eastern Railway during the 1840s, and was moved to Ashford Works, becoming the first locomotive in the world to be preserved.

I have heard that Invicta was put on display and appeared at various events in the UK and abroad being restored in 1892, and again in 1906, Invicta was presented to the city of Canterbury by the South Eastern and Chatham Railway and then for 70 years  Invicta was on static display in Canterbury. However in 1977, a full cosmetic restoration of the locomotive was undertaken with help from the National Railway Museum.

This web site will record the build from now on!!