Kent & East Sussex Railway

If people have genuinely been aggressive with staff when loco changes have happened, there’s no question that’s awful. I don’t think anybody on here would condone that sort of behaviour.

But the question remains, if it’s so difficult to provide a public roster, how do most other railways manage it? I love the KESR, I’ve unfailingly had good days out every time I’ve visited - it’s my ‘go to’ line any chance I have of a full day away. All the staff I’ve interacted with have been friendly, stock has been clean, sausage rolls tasty, (all the things that really matter!) But the lack of public information on what’s running really does put me off. For me, I’m less worried on specific loco, just that I want steam rather than diesel - and even that information wasn’t available last time I visited. I’m not somebody who’ll get angry at the ticket window, I’ll just not bother and go to Romney instead.

It’s all well and good being passive aggressive as if those who want details are being out of order, but they are the paying passengers, and in a time when every railway desperately needs them, it feels obtuse to dismiss their genuine frustrations. I appreciate that it’s probably not you that makes the decisions, maybe Robin Coombes needs to hear it instead?

A public loco roster just seems like such a quick win that keeps everybody happy. What is the possible down side?


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I take it you’re not a PR specialist.
Mandatory - no. Desirable - yes. Many attractions advertise what’s on offer to inform potential visitors so I find it difficult to understand why the KESR has to treat a loco roster like it’s a state secret. And why are you publishing the gala roster in advance? I commend you for that by the way. Is there something different about those who will visit in that they won’t get shirty if there are last minute changes?

 

You're missing the point. A decision was taken, at management level, not to provide the daily loco roster directly due to the actions of certain "enthusiasts" on finding that motive power had been substituted at short notice. We don't treat it like it's a state secret. We just think that our staff should be able to come and enjoy giving their time for free, doing the hobby they love, without having to suffer vitriolic abuse from people who are meant to know that these machines are fallible. If it is that unacceptable to you, then have a go at those enthusiasts who chose to abuse our staff, rather than us for safeguarding them.

As for the gala, that is clearly not standard days, and the roster has had to be agreed well in advance, due to some engines being hired in. Even then there were fingers crossed regarding Knowle and Hastings (both of which SHOULD now be fine.)

 

I take your points, and I myself only know why our loco roster disappeared because I asked the question, on not being able to find it myself. I was informed, by one of our senior managers, that the only reason that the roster had been removed was due to the aforementioned abuse. I understand your point regarding steam/diesel, as we each have our preferences (I think.) One these specific occasions, it was not the steam/diesel issue, or a lack of information, but people who had travelled for X hours from Y location, only to find that their desired steam engine had failed that morning (or the night before in one case), and been replaced with another steam engine, who caused the problems. No-one who had access to the web site would have been available at the times these changes had been made, but apparently this just wasn't good enough. It is these people who have ruined it for everyone who wants to know, not us. To my understanding, Robin C is aware, as is Robin W, who is one of our directors. The down side is a potential return to unacceptable behaviour from people who are old enough to know better.

 

Thank you for providing a definitive answer on why the K&ESR doesn't publish a loco roster. I guess it's not the answer some of on here would like, but perfectly understandable given that the volunteers and staff do not want to be hassled by disgruntled enthusiasts.

Having said that, if you are able to provide any info to us on this forum regarding future dates when loco 76017 is planned to be in use (with all the usual caveats), that would be most appreciated - and if I turn up and find it isn't in use for whatever reason, I promise not to behave like the angry enthusiasts you have alluded to.

 

Fully with you on that John.

Bryan

 

I will ask the question, to see what can be done.

 

The need to know exactly which loco is pulling each train *seems* only to be a "big engine" thing. Railways which run small engines (like the KESR) or industrials don't seem to have the same level of demands from their visitors.

 

According to various social media posts by the railway last night, the Mogul is out today and this weekend.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1948AcQmSL/

 

The Mogul is NOT out this weekend, as it's Dwarves of Steam. Having looked at the working timetable, even the diner engine is an Austerity. I have contacted the marketing team to advise them of the error. Please also note that no public trains are operating beyond Wittersham Road this weekend.

 

From our point of view when the timetable says steam and diesel would be good to know which is scheduled steam and which is scheduled diesel. If the rostered motive power is changed due to.iperstipnal issues well living on GWR mainline we are used to that! Just likely to enquire what the problem is and then sympathise, so good if the station staff are well informed.

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A bit confusing, but at least it seems 76017 does still get used. Because of the lack of info that I need from the K & ESR I had virtually given up any regular checks of such as the FB page. So I missed last nights post that it would be running today. Too late now to rush down there for at best one photo somewhere (as well as buying a day ticket or equivalent, my standard approach for heritage lines for my photo visits). I would have gone down well before the first train started if I had known it was on the roster today - with all the usual caveats of course.

I will now try and add the K & ESR to my regular checks of the SR steam heritage lines to hopefully pick up the next time it is due out.

So an operational question if I may. Are the operating locos kept at Rolvenden overnight and run up to Tenterden LE in the mornings when they are due to work please?

Bryan

 

Yes.

 

If you go on the timetable page, and go down to the boxes, it does say which is steam and which is diesel....

 

Something to look forward to when the RVR extension’s completed. K&ESR will also, for the first time ever since opening in 1900, have the option of services originating from Robertsbridge since it’s planned to have a new loco running-shed there - next to the turntable. A carriage shed too, opposite the platform. Whether both’ll be ready on opening day I don’t know but that’s what’s on the plans.

 

Thanks, just looked at the one on the home page which doesn't give the detail but if you go via the your visit trains and times it does !! Must remember which tab to use when we are down in the area next !

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There is a fund raising exercise to rainse money for these buildings currently.

 

Are you sure? I know of the Heritage Building fund, to help with the upkeep of existing KESR buildings, but my understanding was that the new builds at Robertsbridge are being funded by the RVR....

 

Disagree.
When I lived in West London the likelihood of an Austerity would be far more likely to get a visit out of me. (Volcanic exhaust, lots of noise)
Now from Swanage, subject to the usual operational failures I would like to know at least what is hoped to be working for the time and effort to get there.

 

Yes - please see the most recent Pheonix [Issue 111] page 8. Here is the link to donate.Rother Valley Railway Heritage Trust - Donate now