Kent & East Sussex Railway

Just for clarification this issued by Robin and the railway so is in the public domain

PRESS STATEMENT
Kent & East Sussex Railway announces management transition as part of strategic budget review
Tenterden, Kent, Monday 24th November 2025: The Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) today announced a planned management transition as part of a strategic budget review to address predicted flat income against rising costs in 2026. The Board has agreed a restructure that removes the General Manager post and reallocates day-to-day operational responsibilities across existing directors and managers.
The decision follows an extensive review of options to protect front-line delivery—safe operations, visitor service, and income-generating activity—while reducing overheads as the railway readies itself for the opening of the line extension to Robertsbridge in 2028.
Services will continue to run as planned, events remain on the calendar, and volunteer and staff teams are unaffected in their core duties.
The railway’s current General Manager, Dr Robin Coombes, who took up the role in August 2022, will leave his post on 2nd January 2026.
K&ESR Chairman Derrick Bilsby said:
“Like many visitor attractions, heritage railways face headwinds from inflation in energy, insurance, materials and compliance costs. The K&ESR Board has chosen to simplify overheads while maintaining visitor experience and the railway’s long-standing safety standards. This is a pragmatic step to live within our means while keeping our focus on safety, service, and the visitor experience.
“We’re very grateful to Robin for his commitment over the past three and a half years and for his support through this handover, which will continue in a volunteer capacity. Our plan ensures continuity on the ground and gives the railway the best chance to thrive through a challenging period for the whole heritage sector.
“The K&ESR has never been afraid to lead or to innovate—that’s been true from the beginning. We will continue to meet change with practical leadership and the same spirit that has carried this railway for fifty years.”
Robin Coombes said:
“Heritage railways everywhere are navigating a tough moment. Costs are rising faster than incomes, visitor expectations are evolving, and the world keeps moving. For the past three and a half years I’ve been fully immersed in meeting those challenges at the Kent & East Sussex Railway—seven days a week at times—working alongside extraordinary volunteers and staff to keep the railway safe, welcoming, and relevant.
“Leadership sometimes means making space for the next chapter—putting the organisation first and accepting change when it helps the railway move forward. In that context, this was the only logical decision for the Board to make. With that in mind, I’ll be stepping back from day-to-day leadership and management.
“This is a positive moment for me personally: an opportunity to take things a little easier and to pursue projects that have been on the back burner—most notably finishing a book—and to spend more time helping other heritage railways with governance and strategy. But I’m not disappearing. I remain a passionate supporter of K&ESR and will continue to assist where helpful. I’m also actively involved with the Southern Six collaboration, where there are some particularly exciting developments that can benefit the whole sector.
“I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved together—through storms literal and metaphorical. To our volunteers, staff, partners, and visitors: thank you. Your dedication and goodwill are the reason trains keep running and memories keep being made in the Rother Valley. I’m especially proud of the awards we’ve earned as a railway—including TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice recognition for two years running, placing K&ESR in the top 10% globally—which speaks to the passion and dedication of every member of our working team.
“Heritage rail is about continuity and community. I leave K&ESR day-to-day leadership confident in the railway’s resilience and optimistic about what comes next—for K&ESR, for the Southern Six, and for the wider movement. I look forward to cheering it on, lending a hand where I can, and telling our story in new ways.”
K&ESR Safety Director and Operations Lead, Neil Sime, said:
“Our safety and operating arrangements remain robust and unchanged for passengers and volunteers. We have confirmed on-call and Incident cover, completed the necessary internal governance under our Safety Management System, and briefed teams on their responsibilities so everyone knows who does what, when, and how.”
Andy Papworth, Volunteer Lead for People & Wellbeing (HR), said:
“Heritage railways are built on people, so our focus is simple: look after our staff and volunteers; keep opening doors for the next generation; make sure everyone feels welcome, valued and safe, and celebrate the countless small acts of kindness and commitment that keep the K&ESR moving.”

 

however that then requires a steady stream of willing victims to take on the uneviable task of running a heritage railway . as a few railways are finding out it does need someone of quite some calibre to navigate board needs, critical customers, regulation, volunteers, not to mention everything that is thrown at the movement. One look at threads on here quickly call out those railways who are not happy with their leaders . It really is a role for a very select group of individuals