Kent and East Sussex Railway's Centenary
April 2nd, 1900-2000
The Kent & East Sussex Railway was the first to be built under the 1896 Light railways Act, and opened on the 2nd of April 1900, three years before the
Welshpool and Llanfair, which was built under the same Act. After a totally unprofitable career, the line was closed to passengers in 1954, and the Tenterden - Headcorn section lifted. In 1961 the Tenterden - Robertsbridge section, previously kept open for goods traffic, was also closed.
A preservation society was rapidly formed, and the section from Tenterden to Bodiam saved, with the 2 mile section from Tenterden to Rolvenden being reopened in 1974. The railway attracts a lot of support, with several websites, including
a Volunteer's homepage and the
Ashford Area supporters Group, and as a consequence eagerly took up the opportunity presented by Millenium funding. It was thus possible to accelerate the plans to reopen the line to Bodiam, well ahead of schedule, and in time for the centenary of the original opening of the line in 1900. It was thus with great pleasure, that my wife and I were, complete with digital camera, able to travel on the 3.20pm Centenary Service to Bodiam, from Tenterden.
My ticket for the 3.20 Train!
Waiting for the arrival of the train.
Dover Castle shunting carriages.
Our train arrives!
A closer view of the arrival of No. 65, the engine pulling our train. Built in America in 1943, she has had a varied life as a shunter at Southampton Docks, and as a general wagon shunter at Ashford. She has now been restored to post war condition and carries the Southern railway livery.
No. 65 has a change of crew.......
.........and a top up of water!
Rolvenden Station from our carriage window.
No. 376, Norwegian, viewed through our carriage window, pulling a passing train.
A distant view of Bodiam castle and the new path built to reach it.
The new Bodiam Station, with No. 65 just visible on the right reversing back through the level crossing.
A view of the new siding at Bodiam station, with a more distant view of the intended extension to the railway, on to the mainline at Robertsbridge. It is the society's intention to try to complete this final extension in time for it's own 50th anniversary.
No. 65 going round to the front of the train for the return trip.
No. 65 shunting back across the level crossing, to get to the front of the train.
No. 65 ready to pull us back to Tenterden.
No.25 or Northiam arriving at Tenterden.
No. 32650, one of the original Terrier engines of the line, waiting for restoration at Tenterden Station.
Our final view of Northiam, as we take our departure from Tenterden station, after a delightful afternoon out!
All images Copyright Dr. Colin F. Parsons, April 2000
