The Dwarves of Steam Gala (26-27 April) promises to show that small can be mighty with two extra special visiting locomotives operating alongside three of the railway’s smallest and much-loved residents on an intensive weekend timetable.
The weekend gala is the K&ESR’s latest event in celebration of Rail 200 and has been sponsored by local model railway company Rapido Trains UK.
The K&ESR is no stranger to small locomotives both in its heyday and as part of its 50-year preservation life. However, the demands of modern tourist operation mean that the smaller engines cannot always be used and are sometimes overlooked in favour of larger locomotives. Dwarves of Steam will celebrate the unique characteristics of diminutive engines, allowing visitors to enjoy the sights and sounds of these steam heroes demonstrating their true power.
Alongside K&ESR favourites Peckett No.1631 ‘Marcia’, Southern Railway No.2678 ‘ Knowle’ and Hunslet No.469 ‘ Hastings’, the K&ESR plans to welcome two very special guests - both subject to final agreements with their owners and custodians:-
W G Bagnall No.2572 ‘Judy’
‘Judy’ entered service in 1937 having been specially commissioned to deal with the geographical restrictions of Par Harbour in Cornwall. Here, engines had to pass under an 8ft tall bridge below the Cornish Mainline to reach the china clay works, as well as operate on curves down to a 70’ radius.
‘Judy’ and sister locomotive ‘Alfred’ gained celebrity status at Par, not only because of their unusual size and stature but because they were some of the last working steam engines in Cornwall. The engines became so popular that the Rev. W. Awdry immortalised them in his Railway Series stories as ‘Bill’ and ‘Ben’.
‘Judy’ was returned to operational condition in 2023 at the Bodmin and Wenford Railway and has run at a number of events since. The visit to the K&ESR will be the locomotive’s first ever appearance in the South East, courtesy of the Bodmin Railway.
Kerr Stuart No.3063 ‘Willy The Well Tank’
Built in 1918 by Kerr, Stuart & Company to an earlier design by E Borrows & Sons, ‘Willy’ was supplied new to the National Shipyard at Chepstow where it spent all of its working life.
In 1982 ‘Willy’ was sold by Fairfield-Mabey Ltd, who had taken over and dismantled the shipyard in 1925, and subsequently moved to the Flour Mill in the Forest of Dean. The engine was returned to steam in 2012 and has visited a few preserved lines as well as acting as the works’ shunter. The engine recently had an overhaul and repaint into its current red livery before moving to the Swindon and Cricklade Railway for the 2024 season. ‘Willy’ will be visiting courtesy of Bill Parker / The Flour Mill.
Together, these five pocket-sized locomotives will operate on the stretch of line from Tenterden Town Station to Wittersham Road before returning up the steeply inclined bank between Rolvenden and Tenterden.
Gala visitors will be able to enjoy an intensive two-train service running between Tenterden Town and Wittersham Road Stations. The service will operate regularly between 1000 and 1600 and will feature two carriage sets in operation – one formed of three Victorian 4-wheeled carriages and one formed of two larger 1960s bogie carriages.
At the opposite end of the spectrum visitors will also have the opportunity to visit and see the work being carried out on the restoration of Kent’s most powerful steam locomotive – GWR No.4253.
Undergoing restoration in the workshops at Rolvenden by the engine’s owners - the 4253 Locomotive Company, the engine is nearing the end of its restoration from Barry scrapyard condition and will soon be making its first ever moves in preservation. Visitors will have the opportunity during the gala to alight from the train at Rolvenden station for a guided tour of the locomotive.