Trains first ran again on the Kent & East Sussex Railway on 3 February 1974 between Tenterden to Rolvenden, the line gradually being restored and extended in stages, reaching Wittersham Road in 1977, Northiam in 1990 and finally Bodiam on 2 April 2000, exactly 100 years to the day since the original opening of the line to passengers. Ten years later it might be a very different story but before the Great War the K&ESR was seen as a progressive, and indeed model, light railway that served its community with distinction. . Rail mounted guns were stationed at Rolvenden and Wittersham. The end was in sight and traffic decline was now steep. The railway emphasises the Colonel Stephens connection as a major factor of its utilitarian heritage. Mr Hoad, 67, who runs it with wife Lynn and sons Tom, 38, and Will, 34, said: 'We feel angry at having our land taken from us against our will for what can only be termed a vanity project. In 1898, the proposal was abandoned in favour of extending the Cranbrook and Paddock Wood railway to Tenterden and Appledore. On12th March 1903 a contract to build the Headcorn and upgrade the Rother Valley line was signed, a wise upgrade to meet a successful increase in traffic. The Kent and East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) refers to both a historical private railway company in Kent and East Sussex in England, as well as a heritage railway currently running on part of the route of the historical company. In Spring 2019 work began to prepare the former trackbed between Austen's Bridge and Junction Road for tracklaying, this work being substantially completed by the end of 2020. It takes its name from the original name for what later became the Kent and East Sussex Railway, running from Robertsbridge through to Headcorn in Kent, via Tenterden. 32655 was replaced by O1 31065 and 32678 banked the train to St Michael's. The RVR began by reinstating the first few hundred yards of line eastwards from Robertsbridge, and also a short stretch westwards from Bodiam. 2684. Ex LSWR No 0127. A charity, supported by a society of volunteers, is attempting to re-establish the railway link. A previous attempt by rail preservationists to take over the missing Bodiam to Robertsbridge section was quashed in 1973. The second-hand replacement stock obtained was at the time superior to virtually everything available on most rural branch lines. One probably carried a number between 11 and 14. Scrapped in 1948. Only track relaying and imported motive power during World War II and at nationalisation in 1948 saved it. Conceived as the Rother Valley Railway, it opened from Robertsbridge to Rolvenden station (then named Tenterden) in 1900 and subsequently on to Tenterden Town in 1903. It also has links to multi-millionaire hedge fund manager Jeremy Hosking, 59, who owns a number of steam locomotives including the Royal Scot. An application has been made for a Transport and Works Act order which would give statutory powers to rebuild and operate the line. The railway track has been laid on nearly a third of the 3.5-mile route between Robertsbridge and Bodiam and a new Robertsbridge Junction station is being created, which has a five-coach capacity platform and sits adjacent to Network Rails mainline station. A pair of railcars. The line from Tenterden to Headcorn Junction opened to traffic on 15 May 1905. The first train departed at 7:30 am, carrying some 60.2 passengers. The order of scrapping of the locomotives was 7, 5, 6 (steam railcar), 1, 9, 2 and 8.[7]. Many representations for and against the scheme were submitted, and in June the Secretary of State for Transport announced that a public local inquiry would be held. The K&ESR settled into a period of greater quietude, useful primarily to the farmers and small tradesmen in the locality, as well as those travellers who were not on a bus route. On 16th March, 1903 the existing Tenterden station was renamed Rolvenden and the line extended 1 miles to a new terminus at Tenterden Town. RVR applied to the Secretary of State for a Transport and Works Act Order on 19 April 2018. Crucially, however, the two families whose farms would be crossed by the line do not want to sell their land to RVR. Built in 1906 using the bodies of two of the Hurst Nelson carriages on a new underframe. The option was not exercised. The remaining passenger traffic continued to drop and, most importantly, the profitable general merchandise traffic followed. Two first-class four-wheel carriages were purchased new in 1901 for the opening of the line. Attention then focussed on extending from Robertsbridge to Northbridge Street, and this was followed by work to recast the Robertsbridge section in readiness for the planned eventual join-up with K&ESR's track, once the necessary permissions have been obtained and construction completed. Purchased secondhand in 1906. Er zijn genoeg bezienswaardigheden om te bezoeken rond Salehurst and Robertsbridge. The heritage railway runs from Tenterden Town station through the Rother Valley to Bodiam. A gala weekend in 2013 saw a steam passenger train operating at Robertsbridge for the first time since the early 1960s, running up to Northbridge Street. In the hop-picking season, special trains were run to bring the hop-pickers down from London. The line was opened as far as Headcorn on 31 August 1842 and to Ashford on 1 December 1843. Built by the London and South Western Railway Ex Southern Railway No. Fitted with a body similar to those used on buses and sent to the, A pair of railcars. Controversially the railway extension requires the compulsory purchase of land at two East Sussex farms - Parsonage Farm at Robertsbridge owned by the Hoads and Moat Farm near Salehurst. 2714. These locomotives worked on the line between 1948 and 1961. Converted c1909 to a five compartment brake third. Body later used as a shed on a farm, where it survived until 1964. classicsworld.co.uk, TILT Digital Agency WordPress Designers and Developers in Kent. However preservation as a Heritage Railway beckoned. Then operated by the K&ESR until withdrawn in 1924 and stored. In 1990, the railway had to remove 200 metres of embankment damaged by badgers. The preserved railway has had a tempestuous history, with two financial crises and disputes between the volunteer group and their elected board of trustees. Built by London and South Western Railway. Themed events are run through the year. Plan meals, try new foods and explore cuisines with tested recipes from the country's top chefs. Acquired in 1947. An 1877-built six-wheel hand-operated crane and match truck were purchased c1919. At the Robertsbridge end of the line, RVR has purchased further land since 2006 and the reconnection between Rother Valley Railway and the Network Rail main line was formally opened by Sir Peter Hendy, chairman of Network Rail in December 2016. Four compartments. The financial position has since improved. kelseymarketplace.co.uk . The line closed the following day, apart from a short stretch at Robertsbridge serving Hodson's Flour Mill, which became a private siding. Authorisation was received in December 1899 to build the Cranbrook and Tenterden Light Railway from Cranbrook via Benenden to the Tenterden terminus of the Rother Valley Railway, and to extend further into the town of Tenterden itself. This awaits a public inquiry.[22]. The original Tenterden station, later renamed Rolvenden was some 2 miles (3.2km) from the town. The work was overseen by Holman F Stephens, who was appointed general manager in 1899 and managing director in 1900. The diminutive tank locomotives were designed to haul commuter trains on the already heavily congested lines in South and South-East London. The section between Tenterden Town and Headcorn was largely paralleled by roads, and was open to competition from road transport. Completion of the railway line between Bodiam and Robertsbridge Junction Station adjacent to the mainline railway will enable visitors to use the country's public transport system to access the Kent & East Sussex Railway and the attractions it serves. For some, there is no finer sight than a locomotive in full steam chugging majestically through the glorious English countryside. In the hopping season special passenger trains commenced running to Northiam and continued at weekends for the three week season. [7] The original Tenterden station was renamed Rolvenden on this date. However, due to difficulties in obtaining the necessary Light Railway (Transfer) Order, it was 1974 before the line partially reopened as a heritage steam railway between Tenterden and Rolvenden. The next stage now is to seek the required Act of Parliament to secure the final go-ahead for construction of the missing two-mile link to begin. An extension of the Rother Valley Railway, as it was then called, to Tenterden opened in 1903. That was not accompanied by an increase in passengers, and regular passenger services ceased. Since 1991, the Rother Valley Railway has been acquiring parts of the trackbed as and when possible. The K&ESR owned a number of non-rail vehicles, one of which survives today. The K&ESR was not included in the grouping of the railways into the Big Four in 1923, and continued its independent existence. Originally numbered, Built as a Wolseley Siddeley motor car. In 1900, the Kent & East Sussex railway was built from Tenterden to Robertsbridge giving access to the main line for the rural villages. A 14-year-old autistic boy's naive prank. Only 10 Terriers remain; two of which are on static display. Only the section from the original Tenterden terminus to Tenterden Town was actually built of all these schemes.[6]. June 30, 2022 . [3], The Tenterden Railway was the next to be proposed, running from Maidstone to Hastings via Headcorn, Tenterden, and Appledore. From the train you can look out for deer, sheep, cows, buzzards, swans, pheasants and so much more. This line would have run from Headcorn via Sutton Valence to Tovil, where running powers over part of the Medway Valley Line would have allowed access to Maidstone. The final passenger train over the line before closure was a Locomotive Club of Great Britain railtour on 11 June 1961. In 1957, Drewry diesel locomotive 11220 was successfully trialled on the line, and it and 11223 were the regular locomotives for the final years of operation. Difficulties in raising capital caused delays. Top March : 021 625 77 80 | Au Petit March : 021 601 12 96 | info@tpmshop.ch Built by the London and South Western Railway in 1892 as No. Emma Ainslie, 45, and her husband Alexander, 45, who own Moat Farm in Robertsbridge in East Sussex, Rother District Council granted planning permission last year but, crucially, the two families whose farms would be crossed by the line do not want to sell their land to RVR. She has put up a poster protesting about proposed railway track extensions through her area, A train on the Kent and East Sussex Railway at Bodiam Station - part of the East Sussex Heritage Line, 'They are just big bullies who want their train set and don't seem to care what they have to do to get it. Railway experience days are also offered. A wind pump was provided just outside Headcorn Junction to supply water for the locomotives. Railroad Company. Renumbered 1934 in 1912 and again renumbered 2640 in 1923. The Kent and East Sussex Railway is one of the county's top tourist attractions The railway track has been laid on nearly a third of the 3.5-mile route between Robertsbridge and Bodiam. The line was authorised to be built with 56 pounds per yard (27.8kg/m) rails but was actually built with 60 pounds per yard (29.8kg/m) rails. "These are to better understand what effect a level crossing, which would only operate during off-peak hours, would have on the A21.". Brent Cross West [3] is a railway station under construction on the Thameslink route on the Midland Main Line. A Transport & Works Order is to be sought to enable statuary powers to cross roads, including the busy A21, and to operate the railway. Most of the permanent way between Northiam and Bodiam has now been rebuilt to modern standards. The contract for the construction of the line was won by London and Scottish Contract Corporation, who sub-contracted the work to Godfrey and Siddelow. Despite legally authorised extensions over much of the Kent Weald to Maidstone, Rye and Cranbrook, lack of capital meant that only an extension to Headcorn was to be built and opened in 1905. For the opening . 1426 was loaned to the Kent & East Sussex Light Railway in 1943. Bodywork by Eaton Coachworks, Cringleford. The results of the delayed public inquiry (due to Covid-19) to extend the Rother Valley Railways route from between the national railway system at Robertsbridge, East Sussex, to the Kent & East Sussex Railways station at Bodiam on the original trackbed, is not now expected until 2022. With the increase in price for scrap metal during the war, most of the line's surplus stock was scrapped. Motive power was Terriers 32655 leading and 32678 at the rear. The K&ESR acquired a horse-drawn van and two drays in 1916. Our Education Directory has everything you could possibly need! 78 schoolchildren, along with Sir Myles Fenton, Holman F Stephens, and other dignitaries. The application will then be decided by the Secretary of State. The railway was authorised by its own Act of Parliament in 1896, but with the passing later that year of the Light Railways Act, the directors obtained permission to bring the RVR under that Act for construction and operating purposes. Liaison continues with the relevant authorities. To compete for passengers Stephens then brought in some railmoters to supplement the existing somewhat minimalist steam services established during the Great War. Stationmaster Geoff is Tourism Superstar Award 2023 finalist! It aims to restore track and services east from the main line railway station to Bodiam. Scrapped in 1948. The work will be financed by private benefactors and RVR says independent studies have shown that the reinstatement of RVR will bring economic benefits in excess of 2m per year to the area. Further wagons were hired from Hurst Nelson between 1911 and 1919.

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