Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway

Made me look up when I visited and had a ride.
1978 or 44 years ago when I was in Chatham for a course..

 

The only time I have visited was in 2012.

 

The only time I've had a ride was in an empty pulp wagon in a train pulled by "Unique". This was during a visit of the school railway society and was a long time ago (needless to say pre-preservation). It is the only time that I've seen a fireless loco in steam. Somewhere in the loft I must have the photos, but haven't yet found them.

Steve B

 

The SKLR holds a very special place in my heart. It was the first railway where I fired/drove a steam locomotive, at the age of, I think, 12 or 13. Pics attached!













Trainers not really acceptable these days (quite rightly so!) on the footplate, but it was a great day out. My father can be seen firing in one of the photos.

Triumph was a brilliant locomotive to work on too. I remember managing to get it to start really smoothly, just the once though, as I had never driven any kind of steam locomotive before.

So pleased this gem of a railway is still running and doing so well.

 

Crumbs - that brought back some memories! I was one of the drivers that day, the other driver, Andy, is sadly no longer with us. It must have been 2005 as you can just see the smokebox of Chevallier that visited the railway for the Centenary Gala.

 

As the railway only has undercover room for about 5.5 to 6 vehicles, the opportunity to place the recently out of traffic Leader in the 1 to 1 collection premises has been taken, and last week the locomotive was moved to it's temporary new home for the next few years until it's turn in the overhaul queue comes around. She now resides in the entrance hall alongside the Bluebell's P-class 178 (Or Pioneer II in Bowater's days).

Of course we've taken the opportunity to spruce up the paintwork and will re-fit her brass fittings before the museum opens.
Photos on the public Facebook page are here, and for those Bookface averse I've added a couple of them in-post.

Of note on the Locomotive front this year, stalwart Melior's boiler certificate expires in May, just allowing the locomotive to see out it's 100th birthday in operation. I believe I'm correct in saying that Melior has worked the majority of years since 1993, outside of motion repair circa 2014-15. Superb is expected to return this year to maintain two operational steam locomotives, so attention will turn to Triumph and Melior both after that.