4 Sharpthorn

No.4 Sharpthorn, a Manning Wardle 0-6-0ST, was used by the contractors J T Firbank to build what is now the Bluebell Railway. After working at a number of industrial locations it returned to the Bluebell Railway in 1982. It is in very poor mechanical condition and has never steamed in preservation. It was, however, externally refurbished for the Bluebell 125 celebrations in 2007 and moved around with Stepney and Fenchurch, although not under it's own power.

It is normally a static exhibit at Horsted Keynes Station. I have a soft spot for this engine as my great-grandfather helped to construct the Bluebell Line and he would almost certainly have been around when Sharpthorn was in operation.

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Sharpthorn, used by the contractors J T Firbank to build what is now the Bluebell Railway. At the time this picture was taken the engine had just been externally refurbished. Horsted Keynes 12.08.2007 31
No.4 Sharpthorn Manning Wardle J T Firbank Firbank bluebell railway
Sharpthorn was cosmetically restored to a high standard for the Bluebell 125 celebrations in 2007, but unfortunately since then it has been left to deteriorate at Horsted Keynes. It is now in a sad condition and is seen in the Up Yard on 22.06.2013. 8976
No.4 Sharpthorn Manning Wardle J T Firbank Firbank bluebell railway
Sharpthorn on display at Horsted Keynes during the 50th Anniversary celebrations. 06.08.2010 3674
No.4 Sharpthorn Manning Wardle J T Firbank Firbank bluebell railway
Sharpthorn in it's usual display position at the end of Platform 1 at Horsted Keynes. 12.08.2007
No.4 Sharpthorn Manning Wardle J T Firbank Firbank bluebell railway
Sharpthorn taking part in the Bluebell 125 celebrations on 12.08.2007 together with Stepney and Fenchurch. 131
No.4 Sharpthorn Manning Wardle J T Firbank Firbank bluebell railway
Sharpthorn taking part in the Bluebell 125 celebrations on 12.08.2007 134
No.4 Sharpthorn Manning Wardle J T Firbank Firbank bluebell railway
This picture of Sharpthorn with 672 Fenchurch shows just how small Sharpthorn actually is. Horsted Keynes 12.08.2007 35
No.4 Sharpthorn Manning Wardle J T Firbank Firbank bluebell railway
Sharpthorn has received a new coat of paint. And very smart it looks too... Horsted Keynes 14.07.2007 11
No.4 Sharpthorn Manning Wardle J T Firbank Firbank bluebell railway
Sharpthorn on display in the dock at Horsted Keynes with Pullman car Doris. 27.10.2006
No.4 Sharpthorn Manning Wardle J T Firbank Firbank bluebell railway
Sharpthorn on display at Horsted Keynes. 29.05.2006
No.4 Sharpthorn Manning Wardle J T Firbank Firbank bluebell railway
Sharpthorn, used by the contractors J T Firbank to build what is now the Bluebell Railway. Horsted Keynes 19.11.2005
No.4 Sharpthorn Manning Wardle J T Firbank Firbank bluebell railway
Sharpthorn on static display at Horsted Keynes 19.11.2005
No.4 Sharpthorn Manning Wardle J T Firbank Firbank bluebell railway
The name plate on Sharpthorn. The spelling of the name is different to that now applied to the nearby village. Horsted Keynes 23.08.2014 11588
No.4 Sharpthorn Manning Wardle J T Firbank Firbank bluebell railway
The manufacturers plate on Sharpthorn. Horsted Keynes 23.08.2014 11587
No.4 Sharpthorn Manning Wardle J T Firbank Firbank bluebell railway