SMR - Earl of Berkeley

After a brief closure in the early 1970s, SMR re-opened in 1974 with a brand new flagship locomotive. The sale of Trojan and Maid of Kent had been a sadness to many, but “Earl of Berkeley” was a clean and simple alternative for the line’s now ageing owner/operator. The engine was built by Tom Smith of Lechlade for his own garden railway, and was originally named “King of the Road”.

However, the engine was re-liveried in Great Western green and renamed “Earl of Berkeley” after its arrival at Saltwood in May 1974. The line officially re-opened in December that year.

Remarkably, “Earl of Berkeley” was a genuine double-ended locomotive in 7¼” gauge. Her controls were replicated in cabs at both ends of the fully enclosed machine. However, it became normal at Saltwood for the guard to travel in the ‘rear’ cab and operation was always in the same direction, so eventually the controls were removed from one end.

Above: “Earl of Berkeley” speeds over the level crossing at the approach to Tanner’s Croft (residence of Alex Schwab’s sister). Tanner’s House (the original Schwab family home) is just out of shot to the right. The wooden horse always blocked the level crossing on operating days, when Miss Schwab had to contact the station to request permission to take her motor car in or out of her drive.

Alex Schwab also installed a bicycle horn, as he believed the locomotive’s own powerful air horns just made too much noise for the people of Saltwood to bear!

In his will, Alex Schwab returned “Earl of Berkeley” to original owner and builder Tom Smith. She has since been sold on, and her present location is unknown.

Above right: A photograph taken from the ‘rear’ cab in 1983 by the author. Staff member Chris Buck displays the leather cross-strap of the booking clerk (the strap supported the money bag for the day). Beyond him is the profile of Canon Guy L’Estrange, Rector of Saltwood for 25 years - and the priest who was eventually to conduct Alex Schwab’s funeral service.