[May 26, 2014] Kent & East Sussex Railway 40th Anniversary Gala Weekend (Tenterden)

As part of the celebrations to celebrate the 40th anniversary of reopening of the Kent & East Sussex Railway, the railway will be holding a three day gala over the late spring bank holiday weekend; 24/25/26th May 2014. As well as featuring six members of the “home” steam fleet, representing classes of engine that have run on the line since 1974, there will also be a welcome return appearance by Sentinal 0-4-0 vertical boilered tank locomotive “Gervase” – the only chance to see this unique loco in the South of England this year.

‘Gervase’ previously worked on the internal railway system at a sand pit near Redhill in Surrey and was rescued for preservation on the Kent & East Sussex Railway in the early 1960’s. The engine saw very limited use on engineering trains in the very early days of the preservation project (although was never used on passenger trains), and was subsequently sold to a private individual and comprehensively rebuilt before re-entering service in 2013. It was rededicated and was a popular attraction at the K&ESR Steam Up event in May of last year

Other highlights include regular shuttle services between Bodiam & Junction Road, locomotive changes at Bodiam, the first gala appearance by ex GWR 0-6-2 tank locomotive number 6619 since its arrival in late 2012, 0-6-0 Pannier Tank locomotive number 1638 in BR Black livery, heavy goods trains including “double headers” and shunting demonstrations.

Passenger trains will run along the 10½ miles of restored line from Tenterden Town Station to Northiam and Bodiam throughout the event with a regular service from 10.45am until 4.00pm on all three days. In addition to a regular shuttle service over the half mile extension from Bodiam to Junction Road – the first part of the long term scheme to extend the railway to Robertsbridge and not usually used by passenger trains - there will be a through service from Tenterden to Junction Road at 10.00am on each day for which advance booking will be advisable.

The Carriage & Wagon shed at Tenterden will be open allowing visitors to take a fascinating look behind the scenes and see the painstaking work that goes to restore and maintain the line’s fleet of historic coaches.

From the train windows visitors will also be able to view progress on the construction of the new Carriage Storage shed South of Rolvenden.
Members of the public will be able to ride on a pump trolley at Tenterden in true “St Trinians” fashion!

Gala prices – adult £18, Senior £15, Child £13, family £50, member £11. Two day tickets: adults £35, senior £28, child £25, member £21. Three day tickets: adult £45, senior £35, child £30, member £25. As a special offer a 3 day ticket can be purchased for the price of a 2 day ticket if booked in advance before 1st April 2014.

For more information or to book tickets telephone 01580 765155 or visit the website www.kesr.org.uk

 

Anyone using public transport to get to this event please note that there re engineering works between Tonbridge & Sevenoaks on the Sunday and Monday meaning a shuttle service is operating between Tonbridge and Ashford. You can change at Tonbruidge for Charing X (Via Redhill) or at Ashford for High Speed servcies to St Pancras or Charing X (Via Maidstone East). We will hopefully be running a conecting bus servcie on Sunday and Monday between Headcorn & Tenterden.. Watch this space for details!