Kent & East Sussex Railway

Enjoyed a full day yesterday at the (Diesel) Gala, and it was a full day! From the very first 09:30 DEMU departure to the last 50/20 arrival on the evening run, it was an action packed day that was very well run, with pretty much everything advertised being produced. I was a very satisfied customer and was in some ways surprised there weren't more people on the trains, however this worked well for us with available seats near the front of the trains making for a comfortable day. I really hope the event was considered successful by the railway as it was certainly enjoyable.

The stand out visitor for me was the Class 205 Thumper. So many events out there are 100% loco focussed and as a unit man I have very few events to go to with a DMU of slany kind making a trip away from its base. So seeing 1118 stretch it's legs along the KESR was what got us down from Norfolk in the first place. It is a well restored unit and fittingly still on Southern territory.

I have a few more observations from the event:
-The NSE signage was a nice touch and must have taken some effort, the pink lampposts were noted!
-The timetable could have done with a few more minutes at crossings at places such as Rolvenden. The tokens weren't going to/from the boxes that quickly and there were several occasions where 5 or 6 extra mins were lost which proved impossible to get back.
-Declassifying the first class for the weekend was a welcome policy. Understand for normal days, but for a diesel gala it was great to sit wherever we wanted and enjoy the varied stock on one ticket. We were making a beeline for the pre nationalisation coaches which were very nice specimens indeed.
-The hot food on the platform at Tenterden staying open till the evening train departed was brilliant. We needed an evening meal but with the service 45 minutes down we thought we'd have to cancel the last trip and leave to get food, but the brilliant staff cooked us a meal quickly in good time to reboard the evening 20/50 trip, which made the day.
-There was at least one station stop booked in the published timetable that ran non stop on the day. We didn't need the stop but thought that's one to watch as it could upset some needing to get off!
-Finally the GWR Railcar on display was a treat. I applaud the railway for pushing the restoration of this one closer to completion, really looking forward to seeing it done and will return to see it when it does. Was very happy to donate a little extra to see this one make it over the line.

Sent from my moto g(8) power lite using Tapatalk

 

My series of events from the Saturday of the gala if anyone is interested .

I’m not particularly a massive diesel fan although I would be lying to say I didn’t enjoy this event, the effort to detail that the KESR team put into this event really added to the overall atmosphere so I must applaud everyone involved for their efforts in making such a great gala.

 

Looks like a fun weekend this weekend, motive power wise. Today's public service seems to be the Terrier and Class 14 together, with Swiftsure on Fox & Edwards duty. Tomorrow looks like Swiftsure and the DMU out, with the Terrier and Hastings on the Sunday lunch train.

 

Swiftsure just went out with the 10.20 public service.

 

And D9504 and Terrier 2678 on the Fox & Edwards train.

 

What's the haulage capacity of Terrier + Hastings on the KESR? The same as an Austerity roughly?

 

I believe it's 150 tons max. They are limited to the equivalent of 2 mk1's each on the bank.

 

Though Sutton, formerly of this parish, was seen occasionally with three, but it was a struggle.

 

Until recently, the Terriers were limited to 85 tons up the hill, with the P class and Hastings rated at 75 tons. However, it has been realised that the extra 10 tons on the Terriers was putting unacceptable strain on 150(+) year old locos, and they have been set to 75 tons now, too. Fond memories of Sutton with the SR brake van and 2 mk1's making trips to Wittersham Road and back.

 

Would be really lovely to see one of the Terriers running in BR SR 1960s condition. That would bring back very fond memories of seeing them running on the Hayling Island Branch on 9 September 1962.

Bryan - Nat Pres's very own semi-tame dinosaur - B

 

Deleted as a double post.

 

Although I have not yet seen an email, I think it is fairly safe to assume that 76017 will not be working this weekend, as it's stopped for repairs.

 

An interesting video just appeared on the K&ESR conservation strategy -

 

Having looked at this weekend's roster, it looks like fun. Tomorrow is Swiftsure and Hastings, and then Sunday is Hastings and the Class 14 together on the A set, and the DMU out as the B set. Swiftsure will be on the Sunday Lunch train.