Rother Valley Railway

It will also be a godsend for turning rolling stock, to allow us to even out flange wear...

 

It has been announced that Locomotive 70000 Britannia will be at the KESR 50th anniversary - it will be stabled at Robertsbridge and run a shuttle from Robertsbridge Junction to North Bridge Street.

 

see post 2632 last tuesday

 

Keep up at the back! Mike Hart posted this announcement on Tuesday

 

Trackbed being fenced https://rvrailway.blogspot.com/2024/04/just-gate-well-significance-is-more.html

Great to see visible presence on the ground.

 

And another post on the RVR website: Tamping the track around the headshunt for the loco shed site and turntable. In part in preparation for the 1st & 2nd June K&ESR gala weekend when trains hauled by steam loco 'Britannia' and a Class 73 from GbRF will be operating passenger trains at Robertsbridge.

https://rvrailway.blogspot.com/2024...KcLGjTIuYYdZTpvOrz3ifdeEgGUH7UHoImdVqkq4Ltt74

Mike Hart

 

If its fixed in time ...

 

It was only a hot big end (ooh err, missus!) so should be a quick fix. Loco is already back at Crewe.

 

Further recent update to RVR blog posted here.

 

I'm glad that on the face of it, the farmer is being constructive, and not being awkward, its essential that there is a good working relationship between the farmers and the railway.

 

Very true. Don't think it will be long before the re-instatement gets more visible. Some of the "usual suspects" have been vocal on Social Media but not as bad as before the Public Inquiry.

 

But now the "Usual suspects" don't have any real clout, and can be ignored, as long as things remain cordial between the landowners, and the railway and both are sensitive towards each other's position, and can accommodate each's requirements, over such things as access and crossing points.so that the farmers can still gain access to the rest of their pasture, and when it comes to it, the contractors who will be rebuilding embankments, replacing bridges, can access the track bed.

 

What are they saying (no need to quote their names)?

 

Several things:- [1] Disappointed that the fencing has started - they realise that the railway reconstruction is really happening [2] Reinstated Line is too close to North Bridge Street [3} Worried about the A21 crossing [4] worried about construction of the A21 crossing [5] perceived loss of wildlife. And a few more.

National Highways have an "improvement" package currently being constructed on the A21 at the moment - with overnight closures over 50 nights - this disruption is not going down well - one of the diversions is down Junction Road - site of one of the 3 level crossings which is full of potholes. Added to which the A2100 [another diversion road via Battle] is closed for emergency repairs.

 

[1] No, it's not happening. The RVR only did all this as a spoof...... Ye gods. Some people. [2] The reinstated line has to cross North Bridge Street. It can't really get any closer than that. [3] and [4] Won't be any different to having roadworks on the bypass, which seem to happen pretty regularly. [5] We have found that allowing trees to grow up at lineside, rather than ploughing every last millimetre of ground, seems to promote the spread of wildlife rather nicely.

Of course, the locals have their own feelings. However, if one were to ask me how I would like a railway at the bottom of my road, my answer would be that there already is one (and mainline too, not a lightly used tourist railway). I wonder how long it will be before villagers, with hi viz jackets and tartan thermos', appear at the edges of sites to look for instances of actions outside the planning permission.....

 

Reading through the Robertsbridge Family Facebook Group pages, the complaints appear to come from the same individuals repeating themselves many times. They proceed to argue until they are blue in the face with the majority of posters who appear to be in favour. In short, a loud minority.

 

Nothing to worry about then I imagine installation of the level-crossings will cause considerably less disruption than the National Highways works. Quite possibly no more than one weekend road-closure at each level crossing site (on dates coordinated with the two highway authorities). And I imagine these and all the other works'll be managed with the same kind of skill and professionalism shown up to now at Robertsbridge Station and other active sites.

With the TWAO now beyond challenge, opposition to the scheme is beginning to fade into history. I predict this'll become more apparent the more works are commenced or completed - just as it was with the Welsh Highland.

 

They don't understand how level crossings are installed currently. When planning was first being sought - many social media posts actually though that the A21 crossing would be manually operated gates!

 

I suspect that is likely, I just *hope* they aren't going to be disruptive when the line reopens and will be grown up about it all.

 

In a sense that's not an unreasonable starting point since that is how the rest of the crossings on the KESR are currently operated including the two on the A28. But they only needed to look at the planning documents, or the RVR's publicity, to be better informed.