All aboard the county’s treasured railway heritage
Whether it is the sound of the rhythmic clack of wheels on the line, the sight of huffing spouts of steam or the smell of coal smoke, there is something magical about the railways of old.
Many of the steam engines and heritage railways in Kent and Sussex run on the hard work and goodwill of the volunteers who keep them going. And they also make smashing family days out.
Here we celebrate the history of some of our surviving railway lines and suggest things to do in the next couple of months….
SITTINGBOURNE & KEMSLEY LIGHT RAILWAY
Built in 1905 for the transportation of the raw materials required for the manufacture of paper and the finished product. The line continues to use the steam engines and rolling stock supplied to operate the railway in its working life prior to preservation in 1969.
Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway Ltd, PO Box 300, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 2DZ Tel: 01795 424899
DON’T MISS
Santa Specials will be running every December weekend before Christmas. Trains will depart from Sittingbourne Viaduct station at 11am, 12pm, 2pm & 3pm – advanced booking is essential.
EAST KENT RAILWAY
The East Kent Railway was built between 1911 and 1917 to serve the growth of the Kent coalfields to link the collieries with the main line and a new port at Richborough. The line was built to light railway standards by engineer Colonel H .F. Stephens. The first passengers were carried in 1916, with just a few facilities being provided for them. A line from Shepherdswell to Tilmanstone Colliery remained operational until the 1984-85 miners’ strike. In late 1985, the East Kent Railway Society was formed and four years later began the massive task of clearing the tangle of shrubs, trees and other vegetation that had claimed the railway since closure. The East Kent Railway has transformed the station area and its environs at Shepherdswell, with a replica of the original station building and platform being built, along with new access roads, car parks laid, and the addition of toilet blocks, a café and picnic areas being provided.
East Kent Railway Trust, Station Road, Shepherdswell, Dover CT15 7PD. Telephone: 01304 832042
DON’T MISS October 29 – 31 Halloween Train Of Terror 22 Mid Kent Living
Images: Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch railway, courtesy of Steve Town Top right courtesy of KESR.
ROMNEY, HYTHE & DYMCHURCH RAILWAY
The famous Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway has been an integral part of the landscape of the Romney Marsh for nine decades and runs one-third full size steam and diesel along 13 miles of track from the Cinque Port of Hythe to Dungeness through varied and stunning landscapes.
Contact RHDR, New Romney Station, New Romney, Kent TN28 8PL. Tel: 01797 362353
DON’T MISS
November 5 & 6 - End of Season Parade and Light Railway Get Together — an opportunity to reflect on another busy year. Check website for further details
November 26 & 27 - Santa Specials from New Romney to Dungeness. A 2015 sell-out, so early pre-booking advised.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72