2684. 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. Purchased secondhand in 1932. The Government must now agree to make an order under the Transport and Works Act for the purchase to go ahead, but that could require a public inquiry. By June 2012, this further extension was also completed. RVR chairman Gardner Crawley, 74, said: 'There's a lot of very wealthy people in East Sussex but parts of it are very deprived and the big employer nowadays is tourism. Scrapped in 1948. Purchased secondhand in 1901. In 1877, the Cranbrook and Paddock Wood Railway was incorporated, and powers obtained to build the northern section of the Weald of Kent Railway to transport agricultural produce and livestock from low-lying land adjacent to Wittersham Road to a better mainline connection. In summer 2011 work began at Robertsbridge to extend further eastwards to Northbridge Street, which entailed the rebuilding of five bridges. Extensions followed, notably to Wittersham Road in 1977 and Northiam in 1990; then to Bodiam in 2000, and an extra one mile (1.6km) extension to the site of Junction Road halt in 2011. June 14, 2022; indigo child symbol The preserved railway has had a tempestuous history, with two financial crises and disputes between the volunteer group and their elected board of trustees. Bodies used to create bogie carriages in 1906. [8] The original junction at Headcorn was on the Ashford side of the station. The name of the railway was changed in 1904 to the Kent & East Sussex Light Railway. The application will then be decided by the Secretary of State. Built by the London and South Western Railway in 1892 as No. When complete the line will be operated by KESR using its staff, rolling stock, and procedures. Scrapped in 1948. Originally numbered. The railway line from Rolvenden to Robertsbridge was opened in 1900. Supporters include Network Rail and the National Trust, which will gain a rail link to the 14th century moated Bodiam Castle. Difficulties in raising capital caused delays. Light Railway Modelling - H. F. Stephens The line was opened as far as Headcorn on 31 August 1842 and to Ashford on 1 December 1843. Powers were obtained in 1882 to extend the line to Hawkhurst. On 16 March 2017, Rother District Council granted planning permission for the reinstatement of the line between Northbridge Street and Junction Road. Rother Valley Railway (RVR) says it is delighted that its application for restoration of the Northbridge Street to Junction Road section of the Robertsbridge to Bodiam Reconnection Project has been approved by Rother District Council (RDC). The Kent & East Sussex Railway is twinned with the Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme, a preserved railway in France. Kent & East Sussex Railway (Tenterden) - All You Need to - Tripadvisor Nos. Ex Southern Railway No. Around 15 light railways were built, the Kent & East Sussex Railway being one of the most famous. A wind pump was provided at the Headcorn end of the station. Formerly a model of its kind the K&ESR was now perceived as a run-down decrepit railway of the greatest charm. Owned by the Rother Valley Railway and/or the Kent and East Sussex Light Railway. Hastings line to a temporary terminus, later named Rolvenden, near Tenterden. The K&ESR was not included in the grouping of the railways into the Big Four in 1923, and continued its independent existence. An application has been made for a Transport and Works Act order which would give statutory powers to rebuild and operate the line. 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. RM 2FMJAE2 - Tenterden, UK. Sold in 1909 to the Woolmer Instructional Military Railway, where it lasted until 1940. [17], Tickets were usually issued on the trains, although the K&ESR did not acquire any corridor carriages until 1944. This awaits a public inquiry.[22]. 1556 was loaned to the Kent & East Sussex Light Railway from 1938 to 1938, No. The line opened to Goudhurst in 1892 and Hawkhurst in 1893. Although these were light and economical to run, they did not provide much in the way of passenger comfort. [1], By the mid 19th century, Tenterden was in the middle of a triangle of railway lines. On 1 January 1948, the line became part of Southern Region of British Railways on nationalisation. Kent and East Sussex Railway | Railway Trips in Kent - Visit Kent In the late 1990s, the company was almost bankrupted but avoided administration due to an error in the bank's loan agreement. Rother District Council granted planning permission last year. Body scrapped in 1976. There was occasional passenger traffic in the form of railtours. Bodies used to create bogie carriages in 1906. (Pic: Colin Tyson) This branch line closed to passenger traffic in 1954. Mrs Ainslie said: 'It is purely the whim of an organisation of train enthusiasts who feel they have the right to take something for their own gratification. The railway emphasises the Colonel Stephens connection as a major factor of its utilitarian heritage. 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. Motive power was Terriers 32655 leading and 32678 at the rear. Although the Rother Valley Railway and the Kent & East Sussex Light Railway originally ran separate passenger and freight trains, by the 1920s mixed trains were the norm. 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. The Kent & East Sussex Railway was one of the light railways operated by Colonel H.F. Stephens, the railway engineer. Rail mounted guns were stationed at Rolvenden and Wittersham. As with most heritage railways, the line has a number of paid employees to secure its continued operation and stages a variety of special events days to boost income. They say it could put Robertsbridge, which dates to 1176 when a Cistercian abbey was founded, back on the map. Built by the London and South Western Railway in 1892 as a 45 feet (13.72m)} tri-composite numbered 486. converted in 1909 to a brake composite. [3], The Tenterden Railway was the next to be proposed, running from Maidstone to Hastings via Headcorn, Tenterden, and Appledore. ', Neighbouring 440-acre Parsonage Farm has been in Andrew Hoad's family since the 1880s. In the hop-picking season, special trains were run to bring the hop-pickers down from London. 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. 962, a 42 feet (12.80m) long seven compartment third. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has made the decision to delay the public inquiry into reinstating a two-mile section of line that would join the heritage Kent & East Sussex Railway to the mainline at Robertsbridge junction in East Sussex. Acquired during the Second World War. The first railbus was introduced in 1923. Prince Harry interview RECAP: Duke of Sussex fans say his Q&A with Gabor Mate 'should have been longer' Do not sell or share my personal information. [7], On the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the K&ESR came under government control, as did most railways at the time. Three compartments plus brake. This is the reconstructed Robertsbridge Junction station, adjacent to the Network Rail station. 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. Work began on restoration and by April of that year the track was laid. It partially reopened as a heritage railway where the public can enjoy journeys at 25mph on old steam locos and diesel trains 13 years later, running for ten and a half miles from Bodiam to Tenterden. [38], The grand cavalcade at Tenterden Town Station during a Steam Gala on the Kent and East Sussex Railway, For details and history of rolling stock on the line since preservation, see, Headcorn and Maidstone Junction Light Railway, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Rolling stock of the Kent & East Sussex Railway (heritage), https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/politics/application-seeks-phased-development-of-rother-valley-railway-3434807, "Miniature Locomotives and Large Exhibits", Kent and East Sussex Railway Co. Ltd. website, Video on Joost: Golden Age of Steam (episode 5) focussing on the heritage railway, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kent_and_East_Sussex_Railway&oldid=1137062740, London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LBSC), Purchased new in 1905. By the 1950s passengers were no longer carried on the line and . Purchased new in 1904, seated 48. Of wandelen of fietsen je ding is, Salehurst and Robertsbridge is een regio waar 20 verborgen pareltjes op je staan te wachten. The Kent and East Sussex Railway is a winding rural steam and diesel light railway that runs for 10 miles on a preserved rail route through the Kent countryside. In 2010, the latter section was further extended to reach Junction Road. Bad floods probably delayed the opening of the line, which finally opened to goods traffic on 26th March and to passengers on 2nd April. It's not as though we're putting a new line across virgin land there was a railway there until the 1960s.'. The Kent & East Sussex Railway was one of the light railways operated by Colonel H.F. Stephens, the railway engineer. Three of the five were scrapped in 1935, and a fourth, No. Plans to connect Tenterdens Kent & East Sussex Railway with the London-Hastings main line have finally been approved. Once that is secured we will be working towards a spring 2019 target date to finish the work.. RVR has met with the three landowners and will continue to engage with them with a view to acquiring the original track bed by agreement.. Limited efforts to improve and integrate the K&ESR into the national system soon come to an end and the writing was on the wall for closure. Some are connected with local history and the railway whilst, as on other heritage lines, Thomas and Santa specials provide a commercial underpinning to the company's activities. The railway has cited improved public transport links from passengers on the main-line Charing Cross to Hastings route to access the heritage route to Tenterden, currently the largest town in Kent without a railway connected to the main line. [9], By 1924, the section from Tenterden to Headcorn was operating at a loss. Assent was granted to construct the line under the Act. Two compartments plus brake. Kent & East Sussex Railway There has been some resistance from two landowners with regard to the proposed reinstatement, while the third missing section of route adjoining Junction Road has now been acquired by RVR Ltd and made ready for tracklaying. 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. RM E0YC0N - Robertsbridge Junction, the future terminus of the Kent and East Sussex Railway now being constructed at Robertsbridge station. Simultaneously the South Eastern & Chatham (SE&CR), decided to rid itself of an obligation to build its long envisaged line to Tenterden. Could be used on either passenger or freight trains. ', End of the line:Those behind the current bid by the Rother Valley Railway, or RVR, argue it will attract an extra 50,000 visitors annually and add 4.1million a year to the local economy. Fitted with a body similar to those used on buses and sent to the, A pair of railcars. Cruise-goers reveal their most terrifying incidents at sea - from watching a ferocious 'You'll be missed forever': Elizabeth Hurley and son Damian share heartfelt tribute to her late ex Shane 'I was a bit of a mess': Amanda Abbington reveals she considered suicide after split from ex Martin Freeman Matt Hancock discussed 'deploying' new virus variant to 'frighten the pants off everyone' as former Health 'So many dead. In addition are a number of other wagons and carriages undergoing or awaiting restoration. Using a CPO to take someone's land for a heritage railway is immoral. kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge Mixed trains continued to run, but were now provided with a brake van. "These are to better understand what effect a level crossing, which would only operate during off-peak hours, would have on the A21.". Used at the opening of the East Kent Light Railway in 1912 and inaugurated passenger services on that line in 1916. The use of compulsory purchase orders on farmland needed for the new track has even been branded The Great Robertsbridge Train Robbery by campaigners. On 16 March 2017, Rother District Council granted planning permission for the reinstatement of the line between Northbridge Street and Junction Road. [7], When World War II broke out in 1939, the K&ESR again came under government control, being placed under the Railway Operating Division of the Royal Engineers. One such train in 1936 is recorded as having consisted of four Southern Railway bogie carriages, two K&ESR six-wheeled carriages and a van. It would wreck part of our farm, chopping fields into narrow pieces that we can't farm properly. Liaison continues with the relevant authorities. The section from Headcorn to Appledore was authorised in 1892, and agreement was reached in 1896 with the South Eastern Railway over the operation of the line. Andrew Hoad, 67, with his two sons Tom 38 (left) and Will 34 (right) who own Parsonage Farm in Robertsbridge, East Sussex where multi millionaire Richard Broyd is trying to extend a heritage steam railway across their land as a 'Vanity Project'. Preservation activities began immediately. A charity, supported by a society of volunteers, is attempting to re-establish the railway link. A familiar and friendly face on our platforms, volunteer Geoff has reached the finals of this prestigious Visit England award but only your votes can help him win. To British Railways on nationalisation and remained in service on the line. 1556. kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge. Four cattle wagons were purchased in 1904, and another was purchased in 1928. [11] The whole line was relaid with 60 pounds per yard (29.8kg/m) rails in 1939. May have been a brake vehicle. In 1935, the K&ESR purchased a 2-ton Bedford LQ lorry, and another was purchased in 1936. The Light Railways Act 1896 allowed for cheaper construction methods in return for a speed restriction. The latter section was lifted and became abandoned in the mid 1970s. From the train you can look out for deer, sheep, cows, buzzards, swans, pheasants and so much more. May have carried No. Built by the London and South Western Railway Ex Southern Railway No. Purchased secondhand in 1909. December 2016 saw the reconnection of the RVR to the Network Rail system some 50 years after closure. The railway runs between Tenterden Town and Bodiam . If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Several bridges need to be rebuilt between Northbridge Street and Junction Road, and three road crossings made, including the A21 Robertsbridge by-pass. [2] A public inquiry took place in the summer of 2021, and the Secretary of State's decision on the order is expected to be given when the inquiry report has been submitted. 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. The vote is open until 20 March so please give him your support: Welcome to the Kent & East Sussex Railway. kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge
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