WordPress Designers and Developers in Kent. Purchased secondhand in 1901. Southern Railway No 3334 loaned to the Kent & East Sussex Light Railway in 1938 when No 4 was sent to. The battle was however lost; in 1913 105,000 passengers were carried; by 1919 the figure had dropped to 85,000; and to 68,000 in 1922. It aims to restore track and services east from the main line railway station to Bodiam. The railway runs between Tenterden Town and Bodiam . The final passenger train ran on 2 January 1954. In the late 1990s, the company was almost bankrupted but avoided administration due to an error in the bank's loan agreement. 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. Two freight trains a day continued to run, with hop-pickers' specials operating until 1958. 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. With some additional help from the mainline railways in the form of deferred debts, it continued. kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge In 2010, the latter section was further extended to reach Junction Road. Work began on restoration and by April of that year the track was laid. Mr Crawley added: "We are happy to carry out these additional studies and look forward to reassuring these consultees that it will be possible to reinstate the full length of the railway between Tenterden and Robertsbridge, with all the benefits that would bring, without any unduly adverse effects.". Two compartments plus brake. 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. Kent & East Sussex Railway extension public inquiry delay It also has links to multi-millionaire hedge fund manager Jeremy Hosking, 59, who owns a number of steam locomotives including the Royal Scot. The K&ESR acquired a horse-drawn van and two drays in 1916. 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. Rolling stock of the Kent & East Sussex Railway (heritage) The financial position has since improved. In the hop-picking season, special trains were run to bring the hop-pickers down from London. By 2013, much of the new Robertsbridge layout was in place including new track and most of a new full-length station platform. A short section has re opened from Robertsbridge Station to roughly half a mile round the corner near the A21 main road. They are trying to prevent a heritage railway line being extended by two miles from Bodiam to Robertsbridge amid accusations of bullying and environmental vandalism. In 1855, a proposed railway from Headcorn via Cranbrook to Tenterden failed to obtain its Act of Parliament. The name of the railway was changed in 1904 to the Kent & East Sussex Light Railway. 51.5687N 0.2269W. 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. 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. Planning permission was secured for its scheme at Robertsbridge, and the whole route is safeguarded in the Council's local plan. Purchased new in 1904, seated 48. The Tenterden Railway Company is now known as The Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR), as of January 2004. May have carried No. The Kent & East Sussex Railway Preservation Society was formed in 1961 following closure of the line by British Railways. The first official train ran on the weekend of 19/20 March 2011. It would wreck part of our farm, chopping fields into narrow pieces that we can't farm properly. 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. In April 2021, Rother District Council granted planning permission for the installation of the turntable at the Robertsbridge site, a few hundred yards north of the platform and next to the planned loco shed. This was the quintessential Stephens' light railway and was always the heart of his empire. Formerly a model of its kind the K&ESR was now perceived as a run-down decrepit railway of the greatest charm. The proposed Order is applied for by Rother Valley Railway Limited (RVR), working in partnership with the Kent and East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) which operates an existing heritage railway between Tenterden and Bodiam. Correspondence with the Southern Railway in 1930 led to Sir Herbert Walker stating that there was no chance of the line making a profit, and that even if passenger services were withdrawn, it was doubtful whether the receipts from freight traffic would cover operating expenses. Purchased in 1923 from Edmonds of. 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. The Kent and East Sussex Railway 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. A small collection of rolling stock is stored at Robertsbridge, with several items undergoing active restoration. It's GRAYGATE! 2714. 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. 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. 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. Supplied new in 1901 for the opening of the line. Contents 1 Historical company 1.1 Background 1.2 Opening and growth 1.3 Grouping and decline 1.4 British Railways A previous attempt by rail preservationists to take over the missing Bodiam to Robertsbridge section was quashed in 1973. KENT AND EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY - 30 Photos - Yelp The remaining landowners have additionally expressed concern and RVR fully appreciates that a railway crossing their farms represents some disruption. London transport portal. kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge. Sold in 1909 to the. Scrapped in 1948. Using a CPO to take someone's land for a heritage railway is immoral. Originally numbered. It was released from government control in 1921, and 1,487 in compensation was paid. Ten open wagons were purchased new from Hurst Nelson. The Kent & East Sussex Railway is twinned with the Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme, a preserved railway in France. [12], Upon nationalisation, one of the surviving two locomotives and all but the newest rolling stock were scrapped. Rother valley railway hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy Speed was to be limited to 15 miles per hour (24km/h), but under the terms of the Act was soon raised to 25 miles per hour (40km/h). 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. Purchased secondhand in 1932. 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. The Kent & East Sussex Railway are proud to be the home for two of these historic locomotives; Bodiam, was . One probably carried a number between 11 and 14. Brent Cross West railway station - Wikipedia The remaining passenger traffic continued to drop and, most importantly, the profitable general merchandise traffic followed. In 1958, Hastings Diesel Electric Multiple Unit number 1002 underwent load tests between Bodiam and Northiam the only time one of these units visited the line prior to the preservation era. These locomotives worked on the line between 1948 and 1961. The final working was the 7.55 am working from Robertsbridge on Saturday 10th June 1961 followed the next day by a rail tour. Bodies used to create bogie carriages in 1906. Planning permission to reinstate the final section eastwards from Northbridge Street to Junction Road was granted in 2017. 2655 was loaned from 1939 to 1945, 2678 was loaned in 1940. Scrapped in the 1930s. 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. The Light Railways Act 1896 allowed for cheaper construction methods in return for a speed restriction. Construction work commenced in 1898 but there were delays with contractors' bankruptcy and it was not until 9th January 1900 that the line was reported complete. Access to the current KESR is largely made by private car or coach, so the railway would help reduce traffic movements on local rural roads. Motive power was Terriers 32655 leading and 32678 at the rear. Purchased new in 1904, seated 46. A Transport & Works Order is to be sought to enable statuary powers to cross roads, including the busy A21, and to operate the railway. Locals are in revolt over the proposed expansion of the historic train route. 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. 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. 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. Hired or loaned to the Kent & East Sussex Light Railway. 1555 was loaned in 1947. Three level crossings would be needed, including one on the busy A21 London to Hastings road. REVEALED: Huge sonic boom felt by thousands across the country was caused by RAF Typhoon jets scrambling to DR ELLIE CANNON: My breast has not got lumps but it's itchy, should I be concerned about cancer at age 72? Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group, Charles 'will NEVER build real relationship with Archie and Lili unless Harry and Meghan get new royal home': Sussexes 'to get Andrew's Buckingham Palace apartment' after Frogmore eviction made it 'incredibly complicated for family to visit again', 'Petrified' autistic boy, 14, at centre of 'scuffed Quran' row is forced to flee his home by arson threat - as scandal that speaks volumes about modern British policing continues to cause uproar, When will the Beast from the East be at YOUR door? A wind pump was provided at Robertsbridge to supply water for locomotives. The line from Headcorn Junction was opened on 15th May1905 but the expansion programme had come to an end. RVR, which would pay 10 per cent above the market value of the land, is already building a heritage railway station opposite Robertsbridge mainline station and track has been laid for about half a mile towards the two farms. Next Trains Mothering Sunday - 19-Mar-23 Treat mum to something special this Mothers Day 20 for 20 Appeal 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. The public inquiry due to take place in June will now be scheduled for early 2020. A proposed roadside tramway from Headcorn to Tenterden suffered the same fate in 1882. Although these were light and economical to run, they did not provide much in the way of passenger comfort. The railway emphasises the Colonel Stephens connection as a major factor of its utilitarian heritage. Great Western Railway 0-6-0 Dean Goods War Department Nos WD195, WD196 and WD197 were used on the Kent & East Sussex Light Railway between 1941 and 1943 when rail mounted rocket guns were stationed at Rolvenden and Wittersham. Plan meals, try new foods and explore cuisines with tested recipes from the country's top chefs. 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. Built as a first class carriage. Steam locomotives - Kent & East Sussex Railway He entered into negotiations with the Southern Railway aimed at disposing of worn out stock and obtaining serviceable replacements. The Tenterden to Robertsbridge section survived until 1961 for freight. Two compartment brake third. Negotiations continue with two remaining landowners to secure the remainder of the route. With the increase in price for scrap metal during the war, most of the line's surplus stock was scrapped. Sadly there have since been no other. 1556. The line closed the following day, apart from a short stretch at Robertsbridge serving Hodson's Flour Mill, which became a private siding. Acquired in 1947. Only track relaying and imported motive power during World War II and at nationalisation in 1948 saved it. However the world was in rapid change as ex-army motor lorries and buses flooded the transport market. But the project has found support among Tenterden residents because of its potential to bring in visitors from London and boost tourism. For the opening . [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. Only in the brief hop-picking season did the bustle return as the hop-pickers and their friends arrived from London for their annual invasion. 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. Horse Bus - built in 1902 by W J Mercer, Tenterden Carriage Works. At both ends of our railway you have so many places to choose from to eat, drink and keep everyone entertained to create a memorable day out whether you are 3 or 93! Situated at Tenterden is the Colonel Stephens Railway Museum. Built by London and South Western Railway. It's full steam ahead for rail line extension - Kent Online 962, a 42 feet (12.80m) long seven compartment third. The impetus seems to have come from landowners and businesses in Northiam and Bodiam in late 1894. Our Education Directory has everything you could possibly need! kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge 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). Built by London and South Western Railway. 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. Scrapped in 1948. [9], By 1924, the section from Tenterden to Headcorn was operating at a loss. Body later used as a shed on a farm, where it survived until 1964. 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. Rother Valley Railway (Bodiam to Robertsbridge Junction) Order. 2021530 . [1], By the mid 19th century, Tenterden was in the middle of a triangle of railway lines. Bad floods probably delayed the opening of the line, which finally opened to goods traffic on 26th March and to passengers on 2nd April. Southern Railway No. The first train from Rolvenden to Tenterden carried 312. 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 heritage railway runs from Tenterden Town station through the Rother Valley to Bodiam. 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. Ex Southern Railway No. THE KENT & EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY - transportsofdelight Such workings continued on a diminishing basis until the 1958 season. On 1 January 1948, the line became part of Southern Region of British Railways on nationalisation. 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'. Southern Railway No. Still in regular use in the 1930s. 2684. (HD) Kent & East Sussex Railway opens to Robertsbridge 78 schoolchildren, along with Sir Myles Fenton, Holman F Stephens, and other dignitaries. In 2018, the RVR applied for a Transport and Works Act order which, if approved, would give the statutory powers to complete the reinstatement of the line and operate it. Simultaneously the South Eastern & Chatham (SE&CR), decided to rid itself of an obligation to build its long envisaged line to Tenterden. There will be an end-on link with the Kent and East Sussex at Bodiam enabling through running. 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. [3], The Tenterden Railway was the next to be proposed, running from Maidstone to Hastings via Headcorn, Tenterden, and Appledore. 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.. Designed to serve rural villages, the railway opened in 1900 and originally ran between Robertsbridge and Tenterden. It sat for 19 days and concluded on 3 September 2021. 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. kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge. An extension of the Rother Valley Railway, as it was then called, to Tenterden opened in 1903. Subscribe to Old Glory magazine today and receive your first 3 issues for just 5! Double-heading was prohibited between Rolvenden and Robertsbridge.[13]. Powers were obtained in 1882 to extend the line to Hawkhurst. However preservation as a Heritage Railway beckoned. Railroad Company. The South Eastern and Chatham Railway, seeking to relieve themselves from building the Tenterden Railway, entered into an agreement with the Rother Valley Railway for the latter to build and operate the line from Tenterden to Headcorn. Rail mounted guns were stationed at Rolvenden and Wittersham. The passenger railway finally came to an end on Saturday 2nd January 1954. The Rother Valley Railway's public enquiry result about the planned route extension to Bodiam, in East Sussex, has been delayed yet again! Owned by the Rother Valley Railway and/or the Kent and East Sussex Light Railway. kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge