He entered into negotiations with the Southern Railway aimed at disposing of worn out stock and obtaining serviceable replacements. The railway has suffered from the legacy of Colonel Stephens's cheap and poor construction of the permanent way; thus the preserved railway has sought to update permanent way features, for instance by renewing culverts and embankments. Bodywork by Eaton Coachworks, Cringleford. The Kent & East Sussex Railway was one of the light railways operated by Colonel H.F. Stephens, the railway engineer. Purchased new in 1904, seated 48. Purchased secondhand in 1901. Body later used as a shed on a farm, where it survived until 1964. Ex Southern Railway No. Headcorn was remodelled by the Southern Railway in 1930 to provide two through roads and the junction was then moved to the Tonbridge side of the station. At Tenterden visitors can explore the Colonel Stephens Museum, and at the other end of the line admire the castle ruins at Bodiam. To compete for passengers Stephens then brought in some railmoters to supplement the existing somewhat minimalist steam services established during the Great War. Railway experience days are also offered. By the 1900s, the parish was a thriving community with shops, inns and in addition to agriculture had a number of industries including saw milling, flour . The final passenger train over the line before closure was a Locomotive Club of Great Britain railtour on 11 June 1961. The Great Robertsbridge Train Robbery: Families accuse railway line stealing their farm land for a 7million extension project using a compulsory purchase order allowing companies to buy. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. In 1864, a proposed railway from Paddock Wood via Cranbrook and Tenterden to Hythe (the Weald of Kent Railway) also failed to obtain its Act of Parliament. Most of the permanent way between Northiam and Bodiam has now been rebuilt to modern standards. Plan meals, try new foods and explore cuisines with tested recipes from the country's top chefs. Still in regular use in the 1930s. A proposal was promoted in 1900 to build a line from Robertsbridge to Pevensey, which was to be worked by the Rother Valley Railway. This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). 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. The Inspector will submit a report to the Secretary of State, with recommendations. 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. On Saturday 26 March 1949, A1 32678 was derailed between Northiam and the Rother Bridge working the 5:50 pm from Bexhill West. There is also a small collection of historic railway vehicles in various stages of preservation. Passenger traffic and the operation of the Headcorn extension ceased in 1953 and the railway closed completely in 1961. [12], Upon nationalisation, one of the surviving two locomotives and all but the newest rolling stock were scrapped. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. An 1877-built six-wheel hand-operated crane and match truck were purchased c1919. 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. This is the reconstructed Robertsbridge Junction station, adjacent to the Network Rail station. Purchased by the East Kent Light Railway in 1926. Traffic began a further decrease in the wake of the disastrous ASLEF strike of June 1955, and, after 17th October, only the morning service continued. In that year, the first of the locomotives hired from the Southern Railway arrived on the line, this was P Class No. A mile of new track has already been laid to the west of Bodiam station, to the site of the former Junction Road Halt. By June 2012, this further extension was also completed. Purchased in 1923 from Edmonds of. By end of 2013, the track had been laid from the newly built platform at Robertsbridge all the way to Northbridge Street over five newly rebuilt bridges, and during 2013 the first steam trains ran along this line since it was closed. Formerly a model of its kind the K&ESR was now perceived as a run-down decrepit railway of the greatest charm. WordPress Designers and Developers in Kent. The railway emphasises the Colonel Stephens connection as a major factor of its utilitarian heritage. The decision was taken to shut down the passenger service and retain the goods service on the old Rother Valley section only. It's not as though we're putting a new line across virgin land there was a railway there until the 1960s.'. Renumbered 3550 in 1912 and again renumbered to 6413 in 1923. Their extension by West_Stanley Fri Nov 23, 2012 4:20 am They're extending to their original terminus at Robertsbridge, about 4 miles away from their current one at Bodium. (Pic: Colin Tyson) kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge. On 16 March 2017, Rother District Council granted planning permission for the reinstatement of the line between Northbridge Street and Junction Road. Kent & East Sussex Railway, Tenterden: See 1,192 reviews, articles, and 784 photos of Kent & East Sussex Railway, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 21 attractions in Tenterden. Work began on restoration and by April of that year the track was laid. Converted c1909 to a five compartment brake third. The line today is a tourist attraction in the South East of England. With the passing of the Light Railways Act 1896, a group of citizens of Tenterden, led by Sir Myles Fenton proposed a railway from Robertsbridge to Tenterdenthe Rother Valley Railway. This was a line from Northiam to Rye. The first train departed at 7:30 am, carrying some 60.2 passengers. 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Acquired in 1936. From the train you can look out for deer, sheep, cows, buzzards, swans, pheasants and so much more. Built in 1848 by the London and South Western railway for. 78 schoolchildren, along with Sir Myles Fenton, Holman F Stephens, and other dignitaries. A wind pump was provided just outside Headcorn Junction to supply water for the locomotives. The financial position has since improved. Purchased secondhand in 1901. (then known as the Rother Valley Railway) was opened in 1900 from Robertsbridge on the S.E.R. 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. Fitted with flanged wheels and tested on the Kent & East Sussex Railway. The railway also appears in the 1940 book Ember Lane by Sheila Kaye-Smith, where it is titled the Sussex Border Railway. Acquired in 1936. Sadly there have since been no other. The Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) refers to both an 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. RM 2FMJAE2 - Tenterden, UK. The line opened to Goudhurst in 1892 and Hawkhurst in 1893. There was occasional passenger traffic in the form of railtours. Indeed in the provision of steam heating it was in advance of many main lines. 2655 was loaned from 1939 to 1945, 2678 was loaned in 1940.