As the Great War came to an end the Government decreed that the railways be re-organised into large private companies generally known as 'The Grouping'. 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. Southern Railway No 3440 was loaned to the Kent & East Sussex Light Railway in 1940. 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). Opposition from the South Eastern Railway meant that the Tenterden to Appledore section was dropped. The Rother Valley section continued for goods with one morning and one afternoon service. The line runs through a lightly populated area and was never well . Two first-class four-wheel carriages were purchased new in 1901 for the opening of the line. Rother Valley Railway - Objectives To compete for passengers Stephens then brought in some railmoters to supplement the existing somewhat minimalist steam services established during the Great War. 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. Originally numbered, Built as a Wolseley Siddeley motor car. The railway was further extended to a junction with the SECR at Headcorn, opening on the 15 May 1905. 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. 31048, 31064, 31065, 31370, 31390 and 31434, On 9 January 1929, the Ford railmotor was derailed at. That was not accompanied by an increase in passengers, and regular passenger services ceased. KENT AND EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY - 30 Photos - Yelp 1555 was loaned in 1947. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The decision was taken to shut down the passenger service and retain the goods service on the old Rother Valley section only. But opponents fear it will leave an 'ugly scar' on the landscape, harm wildlife habitats and destroy the area's tranquillity. The railway was reconnected to the Network Rail (NR) mainline in December 2016 to permit stock transfers, and use of the RVR by NR plant for training and other purposes; and the newly installed turntable can also be accessed. The locomotive works is located at Rolvenden station and has a viewing platform overlooking the works yard and a selection of former inter-modal shipping containers used for equipment storage. These were withdrawn in the mid-1930s. The Southern Railway refused permission for some of the K&ESR carriages to be taken to Lydd in 1947 citing safety reasons. A separate Company, the Rother Valley Railway (East Sussex) Ltd, was formed on 22 May 1991 with the approval of the Tenterden Railway Company to reconstruct the railway between Bodiam and Robertsbridge and has since simplified its name to Rother Valley Railway Ltd. Bekijk de beste plekken om te bezoeken in de regio en plan je volgende avontuur vandaag nog. Kent and East Sussex Railway. To British Railways on nationalisation and remained in service on the line. For a money-saving subscription to Old Glory magazine, simply click here, Kelsey Media Ltd, The Granary, Downs Court, Yalding Hil, Yalding, Kent, ME18 6AL www.kelsey.co.uk . On 16 March 2017, Rother District Council granted planning permission for the reinstatement of the line between Northbridge Street and Junction Road. Brighton works between 1872 and 1880. Some of the original ten wagons were hired to the Shropshire & Montgomeryshire Light Railway between 1927 and 1929. The RVR began by reinstating the first few hundred yards of line eastwards from Robertsbridge, and also a short stretch westwards from Bodiam. At Tenterden visitors can explore the Colonel Stephens Museum, and at the other end of the line admire the castle ruins at Bodiam. Families accuse steam railway of trying to grab their farm land In 1855, a proposed railway from Headcorn via Cranbrook to Tenterden failed to obtain its Act of Parliament. 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. The public inquiry due to take place in June will now be scheduled for early 2020. 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This is the reconstructed Robertsbridge Junction station, adjacent to the Network Rail station. In the hopping season special passenger trains commenced running to Northiam and continued at weekends for the three week season. From 2009 to 2010 the RVR with help from K&ESR and volunteers were able to complete the 1 mile (1.6km) extension westwards from near Bodiam station, through Quarry Farm, to the B2244 (Junction Road). By the 1950s passengers were no longer carried on the line and . The line from Headcorn Junction was opened on 15th May1905 but the expansion programme had come to an end. 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. This is the reconstructed Robertsbridge Junction station, adjacent to the Network Rail station. Most of the permanent way between Northiam and Bodiam has now been rebuilt to modern standards. [12], Upon nationalisation, one of the surviving two locomotives and all but the newest rolling stock were scrapped. The passenger railway finally came to an end on Saturday 2nd January 1954. To British Railways on nationalisation and remained in service on the line. What's for dinner? Coordinates: 513407N 01337W / . On 16th March, 1903 the existing Tenterden station was renamed Rolvenden and the line extended 1 miles to a new terminus at Tenterden Town. About Robertsbridge . Cruise-goers reveal their most terrifying incidents at sea - from watching a ferocious 'You'll be missed forever': Elizabeth Hurley and son Damian share heartfelt tribute to her late ex Shane 'I was a bit of a mess': Amanda Abbington reveals she considered suicide after split from ex Martin Freeman Matt Hancock discussed 'deploying' new virus variant to 'frighten the pants off everyone' as former Health 'So many dead. 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! Built by London and South Western Railway. Hire purchased in 1924 from Edmonds of Thetford. Used at the opening of the East Kent Light Railway in 1912 and inaugurated passenger services on that line in 1916. Trying to find the right nursery, school, college, university or training provider in Kent or Medway? [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 views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Plans to connect Tenterdens Kent & East Sussex Railway with the London-Hastings main line have finally been approved. Purchased in 1923 from Edmonds of. Of wandelen of fietsen je ding is, Salehurst and Robertsbridge is een regio waar 20 verborgen pareltjes op je staan te wachten. Contents 1 Historical company 1.1 Background 1.2 Opening and growth 1.3 Grouping and decline 1.4 British Railways Planning permission to reinstate the final section eastwards from Northbridge Street to Junction Road was granted in 2017. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. ', At the local pub, the Salehurst Halt, landlady Karen Collier-Keywood, 59, said: 'Our village has always been about community. It aims to restore track and services east from the main line railway station to Bodiam. The section between Tenterden Town and Headcorn was largely paralleled by roads, and was open to competition from road transport. There will be an end-on link with the Kent and East Sussex at Bodiam enabling through running. Railway experience days are also offered. [38], The grand cavalcade at Tenterden Town Station during a Steam Gala on the Kent and East Sussex Railway, For details and history of rolling stock on the line since preservation, see, Headcorn and Maidstone Junction Light Railway, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Rolling stock of the Kent & East Sussex Railway (heritage), https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/politics/application-seeks-phased-development-of-rother-valley-railway-3434807, "Miniature Locomotives and Large Exhibits", Kent and East Sussex Railway Co. Ltd. website, Video on Joost: Golden Age of Steam (episode 5) focussing on the heritage railway, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kent_and_East_Sussex_Railway&oldid=1137062740, London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LBSC), Purchased new in 1905. Three of the five were scrapped in 1935, and a fourth, No. 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. Plans for a heritage railway extension that would see Tenterden connected to the mainline have come to a temporary halt. Kent & East Sussex Railway - Tenterden - Northiam - Bodiam 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. In 1904 (officially on 1st June), the new title Kent and East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) was adopted, The railway had been an operational and commercial success, but it was probably fortunate that much of the wider network was not built. This awaits a public inquiry.[22]. Purchased secondhand in 1932. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Body scrapped in 1976. Three compartment brake third. 2684. Since 1991, the Rother Valley Railway has been acquiring parts of the trackbed as and when possible. 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. The heritage railway runs from Tenterden Town station through the Rother Valley to Bodiam. 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. 'Few preserved railways would seem to offer better prospects for an increase in Two compartments plus brake. The Kent & East Sussex Railway is twinned with the Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme, a preserved railway in France. Mrs Ainslie's grandfather Robert de Quincey bought it in 1946 after returning from three years as a prisoner of war in Burma. Acquired in 1936. The Kent & East Sussex Railway was one of the light railways operated by Colonel H.F. Stephens, the railway engineer. The original Tenterden station, later renamed Rolvenden was some 2 miles (3.2km) from the town. They claim the project is to allow 'rich men to play with their toys' and the threat of compulsory purchase orders, or CPOs, amounts to 'a land grab reminiscent of the Dark Ages'. May have been a brake vehicle. Work began on restoration and by April of that year the track was laid. An 1877-built six-wheel hand-operated crane and match truck were purchased c1919. 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? In 2012 a plan to reconnect the RVR to the national railway network once more was announced, and this connection opened in 2016. 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 line today is a tourist attraction in the South East of England. The K&ESR was not included in the grouping of the railways into the Big Four in 1923, and continued its independent existence. The comments below have not been moderated. It's GRAYGATE! A Transport & Works Order is to be sought to enable statuary powers to cross roads, including the busy A21, and to operate the railway. The railway line from Rolvenden to Robertsbridge was opened in 1900. (Pic: Colin Tyson). Double-heading was prohibited between Rolvenden and Robertsbridge.[13]. K&ESR focussed efforts on the eastern end of the line. kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge 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 . Some are connected with local history and the railway whilst, as on other heritage lines, Thomas and Santa specials provide a commercial underpinning to the company's activities. Not so shipshape! In 1906, the K&ESR purchased a Great Western Railway. Fitted with flanged wheels and tested on the Kent & East Sussex Railway. 962, a 42 feet (12.80m) long seven compartment third. The use of compulsory purchase orders on farmland needed for the new track has even been branded The Great Robertsbridge Train Robbery by campaigners. All ticket stock was withdrawn and new tickets were printed, and the staffing of stations was increased. Sold in 1909 to the Woolmer Instructional Military Railway, where it lasted until 1940. The Inspector will submit a report to the Secretary of State, with recommendations. The habitats that survive there are incredible. Two landowners remain resistant to selling the necessary agricultural land for railway development, and the plans for a level crossing on the A21 in particular has caused local controversy. Afternoon Tea, Lunch and Evening Dining trains, Treat mum to something special this Mothers Day. K&ESR locomotives have made visits to the CFBS. Sadly there have since been no other. 2655 was loaned from 1939 to 1945, 2678 was loaned in 1940. In 1904, the Headcorn and Maidstone Junction Light Railway was authorised. However preservation as a Heritage Railway beckoned. June 30, 2022 . Supplied new in 1901 for the opening of the line. In September 2013, a Gala weekend at Robertsbridge marked the progress to date and the start of the next phase - the re-instatement of the section between Northbridge Street and Junction Road, for which statutory permissions are being sought. 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. 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. The second-hand replacement stock obtained was at the time superior to virtually everything available on most rural branch lines. It sat for 19 days and concluded on 3 September 2021. Three level crossings would be needed, including one on the busy A21 London to Hastings road. Rother Valley Railway - Gateley 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. Mr Hoad, 67, who runs it with wife Lynn and sons Tom, 38, and Will, 34, said: 'We feel angry at having our land taken from us against our will for what can only be termed a vanity project. The railway went into by receivership in 1932. 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. 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. The Rother Valley Railway was a standard gauge line from a junction at Robertsbridge in East Sussex, on the SE&CR's Tonbridge-Hastings line, to Tenterden, 12 miles away in Kent. Operated under contract by William Hook & Son until the firm ceased trading in 1916. Horse-drawn van and two drays. 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. The name of the railway was changed in 1904 to the Kent & East Sussex Light Railway. Once that is achieved money is in place to start the work and if everything progresses to plan the entire 14-mile route from Tenterden to Robertsbridge could be up and running in two years time. Acquired during the Second World War. The renamed Kent &. Themed events are run through the year. When this extension fever was over, the K&ESR was established as a growing and mostly profitable concern. It supplied a water tower located at the Robertsbridge end of the station. Next Trains Mothering Sunday - 19-Mar-23 Treat mum to something special this Mothers Day 20 for 20 Appeal The railway also appears in the 1940 book Ember Lane by Sheila Kaye-Smith, where it is titled the Sussex Border Railway. Acquired from Hodson's Mill, Robertsbridge in 1972. ', End of the line: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. [15], The Kent & East Sussex Light Railway was operated as two separate sections, Robertsbridge - Tenterden Town and Tenterden Town - Headcorn. The final passenger train over the line before closure was a Locomotive Club of Great Britain railtour on 11 June 1961. Still in regular use in the 1930s. 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. One batch of stock disposed of was valued at 855, but realised only 6 10s 0d. 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. A wind pump was provided just outside Headcorn Junction to supply water for the locomotives. Rother Valley Railway's extension news | Heritage Machines The preservationists wanted to reopen the line through to Robertsbridge, but were refused permission by the then Transport Minister Barbara Castle to take over the section between Bodiam and Robertsbridge, despite taking the Minister to the High Court. [11] The whole line was relaid with 60 pounds per yard (29.8kg/m) rails in 1939. Some remaining farmland on the original trackbed has yet to be purchased. Planning permission was secured for its scheme at Robertsbridge, and the whole route is safeguarded in the Council's local plan. Purchased by the East Kent Light Railway in 1926. Purchased secondhand in 1906. May have carried No. 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? In 1904, the Rother Valley Railway changed its name to the Kent & East Sussex Light Railway. After many trials and tribulations, the Tenterden Railway Company Limited was incorporated in 1971 as a Company limited by guarantee and in 1973 was successful in purchasing that part of the line between Tenterden and Bodiam. Originally numbered. RM E0YC0N - Robertsbridge Junction, the future terminus of the Kent and East Sussex Railway now being constructed at Robertsbridge station. At the Eastern end RVR has rebuilt this section of the railway from Bodiam to Junction Road so KESR was able to start running passenger trains in 2011. kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge. Rother Valley Railway - Kent & East Sussex Railway This section was acquired by RVR, leaving just two stretches still to be acquired. 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'.