Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway

Thought I might share the pics on these two websites. Superb stuff by Mike and Jason - I hope you both don't mind me putting your links up.

We can not let this close....

http://www.15c.co.uk/latest.htm

www.mikemccormac.co.uk

 

Have got my video from Saturday up on Youtube...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwoUqRhyJLU

 

Nice vid...4 minutes 58 secs for those with only a few mins to spare!

PS get the Swanley Jack now....

 

I visited the line for Santas on Saturday and have a collection of pictures now up http://www.chappers.fotopic.net/c1621658.html

Appologies for the family content

 

Some photos from what may well be the last day of the S&KLR today are here:

http://bantam61668.fotopic.net/c1169284.html

Lets hope this is not the end, good luck to all those involved in trying to keep this railway open.

 

Thanks for the pics. Any more news on their future?

 

Hi I just got back from Sittingbourne myself, and from what I was told, it is all up in the air still. I did manage to take some photos, as well as having a ride and joining today. But like everyone else I froze my bits off to take some of the photos.

A very friendly lot of guys and girls I must add, and they have not given up the fight yet, so nether should we.

Regards

Lynbarn

 

Any news as to the fate of the SKLR yet?. I believe that the council's response was due to be published on Monday.(19th Jan).
The latest edition of Old Glory magazine, says that the railway has suggested moving it's Sittingbourne terminus 200 yards (towards Kemsley Down I presume), this will allow access to any new owner, to re-develop the Sittingbourne site. I assume that this will mean the new terminus will be at Milton Halt as I cannot see how punlic access to the viaduct, a run round loop or platform, could be constructed otherwise. It would be a great shame if the viaduct was removed from the railways running line, as it is undoubtably the highlight, and unique in the UK.

 

It's a pity that they cannot engage in a positive dialogue with the developers, so that there could potentially be a narrow gauge steam railway as part of the development.

That would be a great improvement on the derelict industrial slum that currently surrounds the line.

 

Actually a fair chunk of the line runs through open countryside albeit with the pipeline running alongside at present.

i'm not sure much of the developed land at the Sittingbourne end (apart from that which the railway runs on) is owned by the developers - most of it looks to be in third part hands.

 

This has all gone very quiet - have there been any recent developments?

 

There was an announcement to the assembled audience at the HRA meeting yesterday. The news seems good. =D> =D>

 

Is it possible to say any more than that at present, or are things still under wraps?

 

Not being in any way involved with the S & K, and having no full knowledge of the present situation, I don't think it would be right or sensible for me to say anything else.

 

You won't make a good reporter then. Since when do you need the actual facts to run the headline?

 

Perhaps that's why I didn't opt for being a journalist.

 

On this forum, as in heritage railway preservation in general, there are the majority – fine upstanding volunteers who give their best efforts to their vocation, and there are others, the minority – who look endlessly for an argument and to cause controversy, the trouble-makers.

In the journalist profession there are a majority, like myself, who spent years in training, operate to the highest professional standards and would never dream of running a story without the facts to back it up. And then there are the minority who as you suggest have far less scruples.

Please do not tar us all with the same brush.

Andrew C

 

Fair enough.

 

Good luck SKLR - shame we won't see trains running this year though.

Have taken a look at the website re the town's plans - can you direct us to the part mentioning your line? Would be happy to comment but cannot find the section.