kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge

Formerly a classic rural branch line, it has an interesting history and runs through stunning scenery. 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. Southern Railway No. The railway was further extended to a junction with the SECR at Headcorn, opening on the 15 May 1905. 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 . Next Trains Mothering Sunday - 19-Mar-23 Treat mum to something special this Mothers Day 20 for 20 Appeal The decision was taken to shut down the passenger service and retain the goods service on the old Rother Valley section only. May have carried No. The Southern Railway refused permission for some of the K&ESR carriages to be taken to Lydd in 1947 citing safety reasons. The Rother Valley Railway's public enquiry result about the planned route extension to Bodiam, in East Sussex, has been delayed yet again! With some additional help from the mainline railways in the form of deferred debts, it continued. Robertsbridge, East Sussex, TN32 5DG telephone: 01580 881833 RVR e-mail: . Most of these will be from the Kent & East Sussex Railway as this is one of my personal specialties, but other lines will be included where possible. Planning permission to reinstate the final section eastwards from Northbridge Street to Junction Road was granted in 2017. Built in 1906 using the bodies of two of the Hurst Nelson carriages on a new underframe. 2714. Renumbered 3550 in 1912 and again renumbered to 6413 in 1923. 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! Purchased by the East Kent Light Railway in 1926. 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. This section was acquired by RVR, leaving just two stretches still to be acquired. Bodies used to create bogie carriages in 1906. 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. 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. The contract for the construction of the line was won by London and Scottish Contract Corporation, who sub-contracted the work to Godfrey and Siddelow. In 1898, the proposal was abandoned in favour of extending the Cranbrook and Paddock Wood railway to Tenterden and Appledore. However, in 2011 this plan was dropped in favour of moving directly to a final layout suitable to handle the eventual traffic to and from Tenterden, with no interim railway operations. Scrapped in 1948. Our Education Directory has everything you could possibly need! The train was hauled by the ex LSWR Saddletank No 4. Fitted with flanged wheels and tested on the Kent & East Sussex Railway. What's for dinner? This is approximately a .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}2+12 miles (4.0km) long section. There are some problems of subsidence outside Rolvenden, which often requires speed restrictions to avoid further damage to the line's foundations. Purchased secondhand in 1909. The line was opened as far as Headcorn on 31 August 1842 and to Ashford on 1 December 1843. 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. The tickets were printed at Rolvenden. Only track relaying and imported motive power during World War II and at nationalisation in 1948 saved it. kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge. This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). In that year, the first of the locomotives hired from the Southern Railway arrived on the line, this was P Class No. The RVR also owns a steam locomotive, Charwelton, which works on the K&ESR but is currently under overhaul at Rolvenden. The heritage railway runs from Tenterden Town station through the Rother Valley to Bodiam. The order of scrapping of the locomotives was 7, 5, 6 (steam railcar), 1, 9, 2 and 8.[7]. It offers an 11+12 miles (18.5km) ride through the Rother Valley in vintage and British Railways coaches usually hauled by a steam locomotive, although some off-peak services are operated by a diesel multiple unit. 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.. Wagons. In large part by pressure exerted by Stephens and his associates, it was decided to permit Light Railways and the K&ESR did so. Passenger traffic and the operation of the Headcorn extension ceased in 1953 and the railway closed completely in 1961. Kent and East Sussex Railway. The Southern Railway were liable to make up any operating losses, as the successor to the South Eastern and Chatham Railway under the terms of the Act of Parliament for the construction of that section of line. It will serve Brent Cross and the northern parts of Cricklewood and Dollis Hill areas of north London. [17], Tickets were usually issued on the trains, although the K&ESR did not acquire any corridor carriages until 1944. Stationmaster Geoff is Tourism Superstar Award 2023 finalist! The railway runs between Tenterden Town and Bodiam. Body scrapped in 1976. One probably carried a number between 11 and 14. 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 abandoned in 1899 as it was deemed too expensive to construct, and the South Eastern Railway again backed the Tenterden Railway, but no work was done and powers to construct the line lapsed in 1901.[4]. [7] The original Tenterden station was renamed Rolvenden on this date. It was released from government control in 1921, and 1,487 in compensation was paid. By the 1950s passengers were no longer carried on the line and . The Kent & East Sussex Railway was one of the light railways operated by Colonel H.F. Stephens, the railway engineer. The total cost of the entire project is expected to be somewhere between 6 and 7m. The K&ESR was not included in the grouping of the railways into the Big Four in 1923, and continued its independent existence. 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. 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. Motive power was Terriers 32655 leading and 32678 at the rear. 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. Southern Railway No 3334 loaned to the Kent & East Sussex Light Railway in 1938 when No 4 was sent to. 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. This branch line closed to passenger traffic in 1954. In 1900, the Kent & East Sussex railway was built from Tenterden to Robertsbridge giving access to the main line for the rural villages. Several bridges need to be rebuilt between Northbridge Street and Junction Road, and three road crossings made, including the A21 Robertsbridge by-pass. 2684. A proposal to double the line wasn't carried out, but the track was again relaid to a higher standard, using rails salvaged from the Elham Valley Railway. 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. Purchased new in 1904, seated 46. 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. Opposition from the South Eastern Railway meant that the Tenterden to Appledore section was dropped. 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. 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. 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. Scrapped in 1941. The public inquiry due to take place in June will now be scheduled for early 2020. 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. Situated at Tenterden is the Colonel Stephens Railway Museum. The Tenterden Railway Company is now known as The Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR), as of January 2004. In a statement this week RVR chairman Gardner Crawley said: Their fears will be addressed as the scheme progresses and it is to be hoped that the economic benefits of the scheme will become apparent. Plan meals, try new foods and explore cuisines with tested recipes from the country's top chefs. The Rother Valley Railway (RVR) is a heritage railway project based at Robertsbridge in East Sussex, England. This has now been installed (Spring 2023). The first railbus was introduced in 1923. London transport portal. Four third-class four-wheel carriages were purchased new in 1901 for the opening of the line. 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. A wind pump was provided at Robertsbridge to supply water for locomotives. A small collection of rolling stock is stored at Robertsbridge, with several items undergoing active restoration. Built by the London and South Western Railway Ex Southern Railway No. Designed to serve rural villages, the railway opened in 1900 and originally ran between Robertsbridge and Tenterden. The final working was the 7.55 am working from Robertsbridge on Saturday 10th June 1961 followed the next day by a rail tour. This is a popular exhibit amongst children visiting the museum, many of whom delight in the collection of old railway magazines and timetables. Rother Valley Railway chairman Gardner Crawley said the railway had requested that the hearing be delayed so it could gather more information on its impact on traffic. Bodywork by Eaton Coachworks, Cringleford. (Pic: Colin Tyson) 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. It was originally opened, in 1900, as the Rother Valley Railway, with its first stretch of line running from Robertsbridge to Tenterden (the station later being renamed Rolvenden). The reason for this refusal was the Ministry plan to build a by-pass to take the A21 around Robertsbridge. A proposed roadside tramway from Headcorn to Tenterden suffered the same fate in 1882. The railway runs between Tenterden Town and Bodiam. Sold in 1909 to the Woolmer Instructional Military Railway, where it lasted until 1940. The railway also appears in the 1940 book Ember Lane by Sheila Kaye-Smith, where it is titled the Sussex Border Railway. Karen Collier-Keywood, the landlord of the Salehurst Halt Pub in Salehurst. 51.5687N 0.2269W. 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. (then known as the Rother Valley Railway) was opened in 1900 from Robertsbridge on the S.E.R. The line opened to Goudhurst in 1892 and Hawkhurst in 1893. Body later used as a shed on a farm, where it survived until 1964. ', At the local pub, the Salehurst Halt, landlady Karen Collier-Keywood, 59, said: 'Our village has always been about community. Built by the London and South Western Railway. Purchased secondhand in 1906. Mixed trains continued to run, but were now provided with a brake van. 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. RVR spokesman Mark Yonge said: This is a real red letter day and we are extremely pleased permission has now been granted. Kent & East Sussex Railway - Tenterden - Northiam - Bodiam Welcome to the Kent & East Sussex Railway Train Services Sunday 19th March 2023 Give Mum the gift of time travel this Mothers' Day! [5], The South Eastern Railway abandoned its plans to build the Cranbrook to Appledore line; the scheme was adopted by the Rother Valley Railway. With the increase in price for scrap metal during the war, most of the line's surplus stock was scrapped. Liaison continues with the relevant authorities. As early as April 1948 it was considered for closure but 'it was generally considered that [closure] would not be a good policy to adopt so soon after the nationalisation of the railways and would bring forth an outcry from the public. Around 15 light railways were built, the Kent & East Sussex Railway being one of the most famous. 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. Authorisation was received in December 1899 to build the Cranbrook and Tenterden Light Railway from Cranbrook via Benenden to the Tenterden terminus of the Rother Valley Railway, and to extend further into the town of Tenterden itself. There is also a small collection of historic railway vehicles in various stages of preservation. Future developments are to include a carriage shed, loco shed and completion of the station building. Purchased secondhand in 1901. The first train departed at 7:30 am, carrying some 60.2 passengers. [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. The original route, between Robertsbridge and Headcorn in Kent, opened in 1900 and was shut in 1961. 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. K&ESR focussed efforts on the eastern end of the line. 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 first advertised passenger service over this section ran on the weekend of 19/20 March 2011, although services are currently restricted to occasional gala days only. Converted c1909 to a five compartment brake third. This was the quintessential Stephens' light railway and was always the heart of his empire. Purchased new in 1904, seated 32. 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. / 51.5687; -0.2269. It supplied a water tower located at the Robertsbridge end of the station. Only the section from the original Tenterden terminus to Tenterden Town was actually built of all these schemes.[6]. shop.kelsey.co.uk . Er zijn genoeg bezienswaardigheden om te bezoeken rond Salehurst and Robertsbridge. Only 10 Terriers remain; two of which are on static display. Number 107 in the K&ESR stocklist. In the 1924 book A Parcel of Kent by F J Harvey Darton, the railway described is clearly based on the Kent & East Sussex Railway. 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. [10], In 1931, Colonel Stephens died, and the management of the K&ESR came under the control of William Henry Austen, who had been assistant and life-partner to Stephens for a number of years. We will be applying for final permission now from the Department of Transport which will require an Act of Parliament. 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. Purchased secondhand in 1932. Two first-class four-wheel carriages were purchased new in 1901 for the opening of the line. DS377, 32636, 32640, 32641, 32644, 32655, 32659, 32662, 32670 and 32678. The RVR agreed to build and operate a line to Headcorn, in return for a financial guarantee to make up any losses. 32655 was replaced by O1 31065 and 32678 banked the train to St Michael's. Acquired in 1936. "These are to better understand what effect a level crossing, which would only operate during off-peak hours, would have on the A21.". Body later used as a shed on a farm, where it survived until 1964. Purchased secondhand in 1909. Sold for scrap on 25 May 1944. 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. Two compartments plus brake. Horse Bus - built in 1902 by W J Mercer, Tenterden Carriage Works. kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge. K&ESR locomotives have made visits to the CFBS. In 2010, the latter section was further extended to reach Junction Road. 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.". 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. Ex LSWR No 0127. Some remaining farmland on the original trackbed has yet to be purchased. The ultimate guide to watching the Royal Wedding in Windsor: Ukraine soldiers shoot down enemy drones with drones of their own, Mark Gordon arrives at Crawley Police Station after remains found, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!'