Join us on the 26th and 27th April for "Dwarves of Steam"

Our Dwarves of Steam Gala 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 between Tenterden Town and Wittersham Road, the event is the K&ESR’s latest in celebration of Rail200 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 everyday 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 us 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’

Hunslet No.469 ‘ Hastings’,

K&ESR will welcome two very special guests:

‘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 main line to reach the china clay works, as well as operate on tight curves 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. They 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.

‘Willie’

‘Willie’ was built in 1918 by Kerr, Stuart & Company to an earlier design by E Borrows & Sons.
The engine was supplied new to the National Shipyard at Chepstow where it spent all of its working life. As a result of the number of merchant ships lost in the First World War, the government established the National Shipyards. As a result, all shipbuilding companies at Chepstow came under government control and were expanded to form National Shipyard Number 1 (Chepstow). Over 6,000 men from the Royal Engineers built the shipyard, and men from Tyneside and the Clyde came to work at the yard.

In 1925 Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd bought and later dismantled the shipyard. In due course the company became Fairfield-Mabey Ltd, who in 1982 ‘sold Willie’ Ltd 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 and also acted as the works shunter. The engine recently had an overhaul and was repainted into red livery before moving to the Swindon and Cricklade Railway for the 2024 season.

GALA information 

Gala visitors will be able to enjoy an intensive two-train service running between Tenterden Town and Wittersham Road Stations (no public services will operate to Northiam or Bodiam Stations). The service will operate regularly between 1000 and 1600 and will feature two carriage sets in operation - timetables are available to download here.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, visitors can see the work being carried out at Rolvenden Locomotive Works on the restoration of Kent’s most powerful steam locomotive – GWR No.4253.

Undergoing restoration from Barry scrapyard condition by the engine’s owners, the 4253 Locomotive Company, the engine will soon be making its first ever moves in preservation. You'll have the opportunity to alight from the train at Rolvenden station for a guided tour of the locomotive.

Tickets for the Dwarves of Steam Gala are available to pre-book now