Family Fun at the Kent & East Sussex Railway's Hop Festival Weekend 9th and 10th September 2017

A Nostalgic Fun Day Out for the whole family!There's plenty for the whole family to see & do:

• Traditional childrens entertainment

• Hopping Displays

• Morris Dancing

• Local produce BBQ

• Real Ale tent

• Live Entertainment

• Hoppers Kitchen (scrummy homemade cakes!)

• Hop Garden & Hoppers Hut

• Hopping displays

• Vintage vehicles

• Free Heritage bus shuttle to Bodiam Castle (NT)

• TravelCard tickets provide all day travel - "hop" on and off as often as you wish!

• Saturday Evening Real Ale Train

 

Kent and East Sussex Real Ale Train Friday 14 July 2017, 18:30 - 22:00

Real Ale Train
Friday 14 July 2017, 18:30 - 22:00
Real Ale Train
Sourcing some of the finest real ales from micro-breweries and normally including one from each of our neighbours, the Old Dairy Brewery and the Rother Valley Brewing Company.
The train of 1950's era corridor carriages (hauled by a historic steam locomotive and including wheelchair user access and seating in Petros) will be ready for boarding from 6.30pm for a 7.00pm departure and travels from Tenterden to Bodiam return.
During the journey a pre-booked meal is served from the following selection:
Homemade Chicken Curry & Rice
Homemade Vegetable Curry & Rice
Local Sausages and Mash with a rich onion gravy

On arrival at Bodiam Station, a live band provides entertainment for the duration of the station stop. Arrival back at Tenterden is scheduled for 9.45pm.
The price of £29 includes return train travel, your meal, live entertainment at Bodiam and a souvenir branded pint glass to take home. All our real ales are just £3.00 pint!

Please note that the bar on board the train accepts payments in cash only

Santa Specials 2017 Meet Santa at the Kent & East Sussex Railway

Take a magical steam train journey to meet Santa this Christmas with our popular Santa Special trains. At Tenterden Station the beautiful Victorian carousel provides unlimited free rides for the young and young at heart alike.On board the festively decorated steam trains, you'll meet Santa during the 1 hour 10 minute return journey. Look out for his elf helpers with their sacks full of lovely presents - every child receives an age appropriate gift from Santa himself whilst teenagers (13 to 15) receive a scrummy box of festive chocolates. Everyone receives complimentary refreshments too - a mince pie & choice of soft or alcoholic drink for adults and a soft drink & chocolate bar for children. Babies under 18 months of age at the time of travel are free of charge (providing they are not occupying a seat) and there's a little free gift for them too!For a special treat, why not book your own individual compartment - perfect for your own private gathering! There are Standard Class Family Compartments (available for up to 8 people) or, for an extra special experience, our First Class Family Compartments (which can accommodate up to 6) offer larger seats, enhanced refreshments and individually named presents from Santa for each child!Back at Tenterden station, visitors can pose for a free colour family photograph to take home as a memento of their special day and the fun continues with a trip on the Victorian carousel. Our licensed restaurant will be serving Christmas lunches and other tempting dishes whilst there are delicious local hot dogs & burgers at the BBQ.Accommodation is limited so early booking is recommended to secure your chosen date
 All tickets include a train ride, present for each child from Santa, on-board refreshments and a free family photographAvailability and pricesWe experienced exceptionally high demand for our 2016 season of Santa Specials. Bookings for 2017 Santa Specials open in September.ParkingLimited free parking is available at Tenterden Town Station. In the event that our own car park becomes full, we suggest visitors make use of the Pay & Display car parks nearby - you may wish to download & print this mapPlease ensure that you allow sufficient time for your journey & to find a parking space, adding additional time for inclement weather & Christmas congestion. Our Santa Specials are very popular & we regret that we are unable to guarantee accommodation on later services if you miss your booked train.Facilities for the mobility impairedOur facilities have been carefully designed for those with impaired mobility. There are reserved blue badge spaces near to the station entrance at Tenterden and accessible toilets at the station & in 'Petros', which runs throughout our Santa Specials. There's full wheelchair access to the Station Refreshment Rooms and Gift Shop too. Our Booking Office staff will be pleased to assist in planning your day.Terms & Conditions - Santa SpecialsSanta Specials will operate in all but the most severe weather conditions. Should severe adverse weather conditions force us to cancel the advertised services, a replacement Santa Special will operate between Christmas and New Year. Your ticket will be transferred to this date and a refund will not therefore be available.Our Santa Specials are very popular & we regret that we are unable to guarantee accommodation on later services if you miss your booked train. Please ensure you allow sufficient time for your journey - including adverse weather, traffic and finding a parking space. A photographer may be taking photographs for K&ESR marketing purposes.Please note that dogs, with the exception of assistance dogs, are not permitted at this event.Tickets are non-refundable.Platform tickets are not available.The purchase of Santa Special ticket(s) indicates your agreement to our Terms and Conditions. Terms and Conditions are shown in the Company's publications and are subject to change without further notice.

Green Timetable TravelCards on the Kent and East Sussex railway

Save 10% with our Advance Travel Card train tickets when you purchase before midnight on the day preceding travel https://shop.myonlinebooking.co.uk/kesr/buy.aspx?tid=64&cdate=20/june/2017
Other ticket types remain available after this time to purchase in person at the Booking Office

Kent and East Sussex Railway No. 19 Norwegian NORWEGIAN STATE RAILWAY 21C CLASS 2-6-0 TENDER LOCOMOTIVE

The only tender locomotive on the K&ESR, No. 19 arrived in 1971 having been purchased privately and transported from Oslo.

No. 19 was built for the Norwegian State Railway (NSB) by the Swedish firm of Nydquist and Holm (works No. 1163) at Trollhattan in 1919. Eight such locomotives were constructed and designated class 21c. They developed from an earlier series of 2-6-0 moguls built for the NSB. The first three had been built by Messrs Dubs and Company of Glasgow in 1891, the design being credited to David Jones of the Highland Railway. There is also one preserved in Norway and another (No. 377) in this country.

Given the running number 376, this locomotive and its sisters were built for use on the Kongsvingar line in south eastern Norway. Displaced from there, No. 376 ended its days as motive power for snow plough work at Grong on the Nordland line, some 60 miles north of Trondheim. An interesting feature of the 38 ton locomotive was the enclosed cab fitted to provide shelter during the long hours of darkness encountered in the north of Norway. A headlamp is also fitted above the smokebox door, current being provided by a steam generator mounted above the firebox.

After arrival on the K&ESR it was fitted with a vacuum brake and retubed whilst retaining the airbrake for its own use. As K&ESR No. 19 it was regularly in service during 1974-76, but was withdrawn in 1977 for extensive overhaul and repairs.

Work proceeded only slowly and the locomotive changed hands several times. During 1984 it came into the ownership of the Norwegian Locomotive Trust. The tender had to be virtually rebuilt as the old one had suffered bad wastage and it was at this stage that the tender portion of the fully-enclosed cab was dispensed with. As far as the boiler was concerned, many stays needed to be replaced as did all tubes and superheater elements and a new smokebox and ashpan were also required. A particularly time consuming aspect of the overhaul was the valve gear which was very badly worn. The locomotive re-entered traffic in 1996 and was ceremoniously recommissioned by His Excellency the Norwegian Ambassador, the Patron of the Trust. Shortly afterwards the locomotive was named Norwegian.

The Locomotive was withdrawn for routine overhaul but returned to service in summer 2013.

TECHNICAL DATA

Class: 21c
Weight: loco 38 tons; tender 22 tons
Tractive effort: 18,560 lbs.
Cylinders (2) 17 in. dia x 24 in. stroke
Boiler Pressure: 170 lbs. superheated
Wheels: 4 ft. 6 ins. diameter

Kent and East Sussex Railway 16xx Class 0-6-0PT No 1638

This type had its origins in the GWR's 1897-1905 built 2021 class and shared a number of leading dimensions with the earlier locomotives. Although of pure Great Western ancestry and designed by F. W. Hawksworth, the 70 locomotives of class 16XX were built by British Railways between October 1949 and May 1955.

The class was constructed to a restricted loading gauge for use on routes with low overbridges and had a modest axle loading of 13 tons 18 cwt. Many were based in South Wales and there was an allocation of 10 to Lydney in the Forest of Dean. Others worked in Cornwall in one direction and as far afield as Scotland in the other. Workings in South Wales included duties on the Burry Port and Gwendraeth Valley Railway (BPGV), a line which Colonel Stephens had reconstructed as a light railway.

Built at Swindon, No. 1638 was first allocated to Llanelly in March 1951 ( for service on  the BPGV) and was withdrawn from service at Croes Newydd in August 1966. It was purchased for preservation for £1300 and arrived at the Dart Valley Railway on 25 November 1967. The locomotive was acquired for the K&ESR in 1992 and arrived on 1 July 1992; it is now owned by the Railway. It has proved a useful addition to the fleet and, despite its smaller dimensions, appears to be the equal of the Austerities. The K&ESR fleet number has never been carried although when playing the part of Duck on ‘Thomas' weekends the number 8 is displayed. As part of 1638's ‘Thomas' persona a Swindon green livery and GWR lettering have been applied.

TECHNICAL DATA

Class: 16XX 
Weight: 41 tons 12 cwt 
Tractive effort: 18,515 lbs 
Cylinders (2) 161/2 in. dia x 24 in. stoke 
Boiler Pressure 165 lbs 
Coal capacity: 21/2 tons 
Wheels: 4 ft. 11/2 in diameter

Kent and East Sussex Railway Locomotive Class 14 Nos. 48 & 49 BR Class 14 Diesel Hydraulic 650bhp 0-6-0 (BR D9504 )

Fifty six of these Swindon-built centre cab type 1 locomotives were introduced in 1964 to work on shunting duties, local freight and transfer trip workings. They were introduced during the Beeching era - the very time when the work for which they were intended was rapidly disappearing.  Thus they saw only two or three years' BR service and earned the nickname "Teddy bears".  On withdrawal by BR they found a  ready purchased market in industry and continued to enjoy a much longer lease of life in such use.  Three examples have seen use on the K&ESR, although only one remains on temporary loan. Class 14 locomotives have proved capable of handling heavy works trains and running the passenger service in emergencies.For a while there were two running together on the K&ESR. No. 48 ex BR number D9504 is now the current sole resident. There were two No. 49's but they have both now left; the first was D9525 which arrived from the NCB in 1987 but was sold on during 2000 and replaced by former D9529. No. 49 was in BR blue livery with a spurious TOPS Number.The owners hired both 48 and 49 out for contracting work in 2001 and they did not return for some years. In 2008/9 No 49 left the railway for a period of hire to the Nene Valley Railway. No. 48, having returned in 2010, has recently receved a heavy engine overahaul by Bartech Marine Engineering and is in service.

TECHNICAL DATA

• Weight: 50 tons

• Engine:  Paxman ‘Ventura' 6YJXL, 6 cylinder with Napier Turbo-charger, 650hp at 1,500rpm

• Transmission: Voith L217U hydraulic transmission consisting of two torque converters in series with fluid coupling; Hunslet triple reduction and reverse gear box

• Tractive Effort: 39, 910 lb max

• Max Speed: 40 mph

• Wheel arrangement:  0-6-0 diameter: 4ft 0ins

Len Goodman on the BBC The one show tonight on the Kent and East Sussex Railway

Kent and East Sussex Railway Biddenden Cider Express friday 1 September 2017

Cider Express

Friday 1 September  2017, 18:30

Sit back with your locally produced tipple and enjoy your ride behind a historic steam locomotive and watch the delightful countryside of the Rother Valley roll past. Enjoy a tasty hot meal served during the journey and on arrival at the picturesque Bodiam Station there will be live music to entertain you.

Boarding at Tenterden will be available from 6.30pm and the train will depart at 7.00pm. Homemade meals will be available (pre-booking required), served during the journey from Tenterden to Bodiam. Choose from:

• Biddenden Cider Roasted Gammon with a Kentish Honey and Mustard Sauce & served with seasonal vegetables and new potatoes.
• Locally produced sausage and mash with onion gravy (gluten free)
• Vegetable curry with rice

Aboard the Cider Express, enjoy delicious ciders, wines and apple juices from Kent’s oldest vineyard, Biddenden Vineyards, who are working in partnership with the Kent & East Sussex Railway for these special trains.

On arrival at Bodiam Station, a live band will provide entertainment for the duration of the station stop. Arrival back at Tenterden is scheduled for 9.45pm.
The price of £29 includes return train travel, your on-board meal, live entertainment at Bodiam and a limited edition souvenir glass. Ciders are just £3.00 per pint and there is a variety of wine and apple juice to choose from the on-board bar.

Kent and East Sussex Railway Fish and chip suppers wednesday 26th July

Fish & Chip Suppers

Board at Tenterden from 6:00pm ready for a 6:30pm departure. Your chosen meal will be served on departure and there's an opportunity to enjoy a glass of wine, locally brewed beer or cup of tea or coffee from the at-seat trolley service as you travel towards Bodiam (additional charge applies). At Bodiam Station the historic Cavell Van & Gift Shop will be open before the train returns to Tenterden for a 9.15pm arrival. 

Choose from: Cod & Chips; Plaice & Chips; Haddock & Chips; Jumbo Sausage & Chips; Chicken & Chips; Vegetarian Spring Roll & Chips.

Online booking prices including train fare: £25.20 adult, £19.80 child (3-15yrs) Advance booking is required for these popular services

 Wednesday 26th July

 Wednesday 9th August

 Wednesday 23rd August

 Wednesday 30th August

Please allow at least 24hrs notice. Fish & Chip Supper trains are normally hauled by a heritage diesel locomotive.

Just the Ticket Memory Cafe 23rd June 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM at Tenterden Town Station

The members of ‘Tenterden Dementia Friendly Community’ have started holding a weekly memory cafe at the Tenterden station refreshment room.This is a volunteer led and run cafe designed to allow people to come along and meet others.

 

http://dementiafriendlykent.org.uk/my-area/activities/just-the-ticket-memory-cafe/

Kent and East Sussex Railway Experiences day

Join us to experience unrivalled photographic opportunities behind the scenes!

The day starts at 09:00 at Tenterden Town Station, where you’ll meet your fellow three participants and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a breakfast roll.

Following a safety briefing, the first venue is the railways Carriage & Wagon restoration workshops at Tenterden.

Then catch the 11:45 train to Rolvenden Locomotive Works. Here there’s four hours to capture the wide variety of subject matter available, from the heavy engineering of the workshops to the fascinating Victorian signalling within the signalbox. There’s also opportunities to photograph passing trains from the areas of the lineside normally ‘off limits’ to the public.

Catch the 16:10 train back to Tenterden for a debrief over a cup of that all-important railway tea!

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• Whole day experience
• Professional photographer guide
• Access to areas normally off limits
• Train travel to and from Rolvenden
• Light refreshments on arrival
• Packed lunch
• Copious railway tea!

WHAT PARTICIPANTS SAY

"What a great day – I had no idea what went on behind the scenes & the photographic opportunities were fantastic!"

This whole day experience costs £120 inclusive of refreshments and guide

Our experienced staff will ensure your safety at all times and it is essential that you comply with their instructions on the day.

If you are in any doubt please raise your concerns with one of our staff.

Kent and East Sussex Railways Pensioners Treat Returns in JULY from Tenterden Kent UK USA

Pensioners Treat 

If you're over 60, take advantage of our special £13 TravelCard which is valid on all trains departing on the dates shown below.

 If you're not yet over 60, you are of course still very welcome to travel on these dates with tickets purchased at the usual rates.   

Relax in the beautifully restored carriages while the train travels 21 miles on a round trip through scenic countryside between Tenterden and Bodiam.  The return journey from Tenterden to Bodiam takes around 1 hour 50 minutes.

You can choose to pre-order a delicious cream tea or ploughman’s lunch to enjoy during the trip and if grandchildren come along there is a children’s munch box option too.

There's a warm welcome for visitors in the railway’s licensed restaurant at Tenterden station, where you'll find a choice of ‘daily specials’ and a children’s menu.

Tenterden station is a short walk from the idyllic high street in Tenterden with its beautiful Georgian and Victorian buildings which is home to attractive boutiques, quaint antique shops and attractive cafes and restaurants. 

At Bodiam station passengers can choose to take the short walk to Bodiam Castle and explore the romantic ruins, moat and impressive ramparts with their breathtaking views across the surrounding countryside.  Enjoy discounted admission to the Castle with a valid train ticket on same day as travel. 

For those who love to picnic, the railway offers an alfresco lunch option and a pre-ordered picnic hamper can be ready to collect when you arrive at Tenterden station complete with napkins, cutlery and condiments. 

When at Tenterden Station, why not visit the Colonel Stephens Railway Museum - it's free to enter with a valid train ticket. Colonel Holman Fred Stephens was an English eccentric, a brilliant railway engineer, and the man who built the Kent & East Sussex Railway (and amazingly 16 other light railways). His legacy is commemorated in the award-winning museum next to Tenterden Town Station. Open every afternoon when trains are running. 

Well-behaved dogs on leads can also travel on the railway for £3 (£2.70 when booked online) on these and normal operating days.

There is no further reduction for groups on these dates.

Click the highlighted date of your choice to BOOK ONLINE

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A Day out with Thomas & Friends at the Kent and East Sussex Railway

The following activities are included within the price of your ticket

Unlimited rides behind Thomas to Rolvenden Station & return

Shake hands with The Fat Controller

Meet Rusty & Dusty, Sir Topham's mischievous comedy sidekicks

Face Painting

Thomas DVD screening

Imagination Station

Day Out With Thomas Certificate

Balloon Modelling

Live Story re-enactments

Magic Show

Unlimited playtime on the roundabout, bouncy castle and soft play area

Goody bag for each child

 

Or call 01580 765155 for details

Day Out With Thomas™ Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends™ Based on The Railway Series by The Reverend W. Awdry ©2016 Gullane (Thomas) Limited.

Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, Thomas & Friends and Day Out With Thomas are trademarks of Gullane (Thomas) Limited. ©2016 HIT Entertainment Limited.

Historic Ford Rail-Motor replica goes on Display at the Kent and East Sussex Railway

Historic Ford Rail-Motor replica goes on Display at the Kent and East Sussex Railway 

now on display at Colonel Stephens'  museum in Tenterden Town  Kent

Kent and East Sussex Railway BBC's Challenge Anneka - Series 1 20th October 1989

Anneka Rice and the ''Challenge Anneka'' television crew were at Tenterden Town in July 1989, The
challenge involved laying further track between Wittersham Road and Northiam, the extension of which opened
in the following year. The extension meant that the line could become the ''Kent & East Sussex Railway'' proper
– hitherto, running took place only in Kent, between Tenterden Town and Wittersham Road.

A Day out with Thomas & Friends at the Kent and East Sussex Railway 22nd ,23rd and 24th July 2017

The following activities are included within the price of your ticket

Unlimited rides behind Thomas to Rolvenden Station & return

Shake hands with The Fat Controller

Meet Rusty & Dusty, Sir Topham's mischievous comedy sidekicks

Face Painting

Thomas DVD screening

Imagination Station

Day Out With Thomas Certificate

Balloon Modelling

Live Story re-enactments

Magic Show

Unlimited playtime on the roundabout, bouncy castle and soft play area

Goody bag for each child

 

Or call 01580 765155 for details

Day Out With Thomas™ Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends™ Based on The Railway Series by The Reverend W. Awdry ©2016 Gullane (Thomas) Limited.

Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, Thomas & Friends and Day Out With Thomas are trademarks of Gullane (Thomas) Limited. ©2016 HIT Entertainment Limited.