Kent & East Sussex Railway
Members e-newsletter No.54
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Welcome to the November issue of the e-newsletter. |
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 George and Angus get into the Christmas mood.
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A shorter piece from me this time.
The first thing I want to do is to report on the Kent & East Sussex Railway 2021 Annual General Meeting, which took place on 20th November.
We used St Mildred’s Church as the venue; it has level access, a large seating area and a modern sound system. The sound wasn’t perfect, but we now know why, and overall it was far better than the venue we had used previously. 67 members attended. As everyone will know by now, we uploaded the documentation onto the Company website, with members being informed by mail back in June that if they needed hard copies they could write and request them.
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 Simon Marsh 2021 AGM Photo: Robin White
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In the event very few did so, and we shall be looking at the reasons for this and making any desirable adjustments in time for next year. We absolutely don’t want anyone to feel disenfranchised, but we do need to move with the times.
The minutes of the meeting will of course be made available, but in the meantime I can report that the three trustees due to retire by rotation – Matt Hyner, Philip Shaw and Neil Sime – were all re-elected. There were no other nominations.
The text of my speech to the AGM will appear later in this edition, together with that made by General Manager Shaun Dewey.
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 Customers enjoying the Santa Specials atmosphere in previous years.
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The second and final thing I’d like to remind everyone, if you didn’t already know, that Christmas is approaching at speed and that of course means our Santa Special season is very nearly upon us. You’ve been bombarded with requests before, but whether you are an active volunteer or a Member, if you do have any spare time, (and not necessarily on our operating days), do please consider volunteering for one of the many roles that need filling. Not all require experience or training, and not all involve contact with the public. But all will give you a sense of achievement!
Simon Marsh
Chairman
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Visiting Locomotive 4144 |
 4144 arrives at Tenterden following a test run. Photo courtesy of Sam Arner
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4144 has arrived at the Railway and will be invaluable for delivery of the Santa Specials season. A considerable amount of work has gone on behind the scenes from our Locomotive, Permanent Way and Operating departments to make her fit for service on the line - including a 2 inch re-alignment of the track alongside Wittersham Road platform with the track machines to ensure the engine can fit through without damage.
4144 will also be in service over the course of our New Year Services, including on the planned Members special - which will now take place on Monday 3rd January, instead of 1st January as previously published.
Link to book onto the members special at 15:35 on 3rd January can be found later in this newsletter.
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 Alan and Oliver Brice painting 86. Image courtesy of Peter Blythe.
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 Kian Jones painting bogies. Image courtesy of Peter Blythe.
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 Chris Davis and Mike Hobden working on 86. Image courtesy of Peter Blythe.
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As we entered the winter we have been on a big push to get our compartment Mark One CK86 into traffic for Christmas.
With the ceiling and glazing completed, we found ourselves reminded just how much panelling and how many wooden mouldings make up the interior of one of these coaches. We are so lucky to have the volunteers that toiled away on this. The results are really stunning.
The coach was lifted in October to finish the steam heat systems, the wiring and to do the last bits of bogie work. When this was done the Paint Gang went to town and the Southern Region green started to be applied.
The team's persistence paid off and the coach has just completed its test run with a week in hand. So many of the team have gone above and beyond with this one - I think our team have done more homework than most secondary schools these past few months!
The Family saloon hasn't been forgotten but we haven't had many spare hands to divert to it. Its nice to see people falling back on this lovely coach, including the stalwarts of the GWR railcar group that are gladly helping with the onerous stripping of the old paint.
Peter Blythe
Carriage & Wagon Manager
[EDITOR]
We are extremely proud of, and grateful to, our Carriage & Wagon staff for the tremendous effort they've made to bring Mk1 CK86 into traffic in time for the Santa Specials season. A number of factors that could have significantly delayed this achievement were overcome to make this possible. We extend our sincere thanks to all involved, many went over and above to ensure that the income to be earned from this coach can indeed benefit the Railway this year!
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to our friends at the Mid Hants Railway for their hire of a compartment coach, in order that we could maximise capacity available on each train during Santa's whilst observing social distancing.
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 CK86 breaks cover following a massive effort by C&W. Photo courtesy of Peter Blythe
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Saturday 27th November saw the test run of CK86, Mid-Hants Railway hire coach CK16083 and Large Prairie 4144. Carriage & Wagon volunteers and staff "quality check" the overhauled compartments on a jolly outing!! |
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The 2021 AGM was held in St Mildreds Church, Tenterden on Saturday 20th November. The presentations made during the event can be accessed via the website by clicking the button below. |
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 CAPTION COMPETITION TIME. SUGGESTIONS BY EMAIL TO YOUR NEWSLETTER TEAM! Image courtesy of Liam Head
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Environmental Responsibility and Sustainability – Update |
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Following the appeal for volunteers to come forward in the June e-newsletter, the Environmental Sustainability Working Group has been formed. The members of the Working Group are Keith Barron, Kevin Bulled, Philip Noakes and Paul Vidler, who bring a mix of expertise and interest in the environment and sustainability.
As a heritage railway, the K&ESR is fuelled by coal and diesel and increasingly needs to be more environmentally sensitive, sustainable and carbon neutral. The Working Group will regularly report to the Board and will influence and provide support to the department managers and staff, both volunteer and paid, to embed environmental responsibility and sustainability into all areas of K&ESR activities. Awareness and engagement will be at the heart of our work.
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 Dirty Diesels no more!! The Terrier locomotive will always win the hearts of visitors to the Kent & East Sussex Railway, but the diesel observation train wins hands down when it comes to being environmentally-friendly. Image courtesy of Ian Scarlett
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We acknowledge some existing good practice and want to build upon the Railway’s environmental and sustainable initiatives, which have recently included the introduction of biodiesel for our diesel locomotives, DMMU and on track machines, the sale of food from local suppliers in catering outlets and the promotion of walking on local footpaths. This will be achieved through a revised Environmental Policy; producing and raising awareness of a Strategy for a Sustainable Railway; communicating to K&ESR staff and members; engaging with our visitors, local community and beyond; and collaborating and raising awareness with the Heritage Railway Association, other heritage railways, leisure organisations and local organisations.
Achievements to date
- The Working Group has met three times.
- The K&ESR Environmental Policy has been revised and approved by the Board.
- Strategy for a Sustainable Railway has been drafted.
- Secured external professional support from the construction industry.
- Made links with the Heritage Railway Association – Chairman, Simon Marsh, participated in a panel discussion on environmental issues at the HRA Conference earlier this month and Paul Vidler has been invited to join the new HRA Environment Committee.
- Held discussions with Tenterden Town Council and Ashford Borough Council about contributing to environmental initiatives in Tenterden.
Next steps
Over the winter months we will publish the Strategy for a Sustainable Railway; work with managers and staff to identify our environmental achievements to date and future initiatives; provide more information and details at a Second Thursday presentation; and continue to engage and collaborate with other organisations.
Paul Vidler
K&ESR Trustee
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When the wheels started to turn on our first Santa Special train, 47 years ago, who would have thought it would develop from a special event into a family tradition?
The children on those first trains became parents and are now bringing their Grandchildren, such is the appeal. In addition, some of the parents of this years Elves used to be Elves themselves!
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Helping out during the Santa Specials season is hard work but the unprompted thanks that our customers frequently give to us really does make it all worthwhile. |
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If you've never volunteered for a Santa day before don't worry, we've all had that "first time". You will be working with a team people who will guide and help you and you won't be left alone.
Some jobs, like wrapping mince pies, are done during the week, so if you'd prefer something a little quieter (and we understand why this may be the case), weekday jobs behind the scenes may be something that appeals.
To register your interest in volunteering, please click on the button below - it really is very rewarding.
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By the way. Did I mention that all our trains are SOLD OUT? |
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 Railcar basks in the sunshine at Rolvenden locomotive yard. Image courtesy of Neil Edwards.
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Well, it appears that a year has passed since we last appeared in these pages, but I trust you will have read of our progress in 'The Tenterden Terrier'.
November finds us residing in the Carriage Storage Shed - although W20W has had a couple of outings to the ‘wrong side of the tracks’ at Rolvenden. The first time was in May, when the Railcar underwent the railway's inspection to determine the state of the restoration carried out so far and identify what still needs to be achieved. A few points were made that might preclude it ever going at high speed or on the main line and a few other issues were identified that we believe are readily addressable.
The Railcar's second trip across the tracks occurred on 5th November when Paul Morris, the engineer who rebuilt the engines, attended to give both engines a test run. Apart from a sticking injector pump rack on one engine and a couple of stuck injectors on the other, which were all swiftly rectified, everything went very well and it was good to hear the sound of the AEC engines in full song again.
It should be noted that the exhaust silencers were not fitted, so the engines did sound rather more vocal than they should have done!
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 Praying to The Railcar Gods was rewarded!
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The Railcar Team would like to express their sincere thanks to Paul Morris for his generous offer of his specialist engineering knowledge and skills throughout the day. The team would also like to acknowledge the assistance of Richard Stone and Frim Halliwell, who provided access to batteries, starter cables, coolant and oils required for the day. Also thanks to Richard for working with Paul, to rectify the mechanical issues, as they were identified during the test runs.
Now safely back in the carriage storage shed, W20W will be wrapped up for winter while the team visits the warmer climes of C&W, to assist them with other important restoration work for the duration.
It is very much hoped that W20W can be found a slot in C&W in the spring, so that the restoration process can resume. If so, special attention will be given to the fitting of the glazing and window frames as well as the fitting of the roof sheets. This would be done with the intention of achieving a more watertight and weather resilient vehicle, to ensure it doesn’t deteriorate any further during the restoration process, as has happened in the past.
Whilst the Railcar has been resident at Rolvenden, the team have kept the restoration going to the best of their abilities and within the constraints of safe working practices.
Progress made includes:-
- Rolvenden cab front and buffer area panels fettled and fitted.
- Majority of the side panels fitted, only the guard compartment doors to be completed.
- Lower valance panels trimmed to size and fitted.
- Hundreds of screw recesses filled and sanded.
- Guards van boiler and fuel tank housings recreated and built in.
With additional support and access to workshop space in due course, even more progress can be made, bringing the day when the GWR Railcar can re-enter service ever closer.
Chris Mileman / Neil Edwards
Railcar Group
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The Museum is also on the lookout for old, round, market/fruit/vegetable wicker baskets (or "sieves"), typical of the kind widely used in the day at eg Covent Garden, and seen in the background on the historic Kent and East Sussex Railway, and on other railway lines which Stephens ran. They are probably around 20" in diameter and 12" high, with lids. Examples are shown indicated by arrows in the attached photos from the Museum archives. |
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 Fruit baskets on the platform at Tenterden. Image courtesy of Museum.
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 We are seeking baskets similar to those shown in these images....
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The Museum would like to source a few such baskets in order to help "dress" some of the Museum's displays and make them even more realistic and evocative, and would be delighted to hear from anyone who may have some, or who may know where any are. They could well be lurking forgotten in the back of a barn.
If you can help, please contact me at BClifford@kesr.org.uk with further information to help us with our quest for baskets. Thank you.
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Bob Clifford
Colonel Stephens Railway Museum - Volunteer
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New Year Train Services |
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This new year we are delighted to operate the railway a little later than usual, operating for four days over the New Year Bank holiday weekend.
Given that our recent "Autumn Wonders" campaign was so well received, we intend to continue with plans orginally intended for some time ago, to theme our advertising of services by the seasons through 2022 to keep our general day to day advertising "fresh" as we progress through the year.
The New Year trains added to our plans for operating trains in the February half term for seven days have inspired a marketing campaign focusing on the "winter wonderland" of the surrounding countryside.
The artist for this campaign, Rick Hatfield has worked with us in the past and was also responsible for the recent Autumn Wonders campaign. We are very much looking forward to working with Rick again during 2022. A number of K&ESR Branded merchandise items shall be made available in our Gift shops and via our website in the months to come.
Helen Douglas
Sales & Marketing Manager
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 Failed CC72084 is taken to St Valéry Canal depot by the Cockerill and Schneider locos. Photo courtesy of Jocelyne Bourneuf
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For technical reasons unknown, your Newsletter team only recently received news from our friends at CFBS about their summer steam festival - having previously been lost somewhere in the interweb! Although the steam festival took place some months ago, an account has kindly been provided for viewing now.
Our congratulations go to our friends for (despite what the above image might suggest) what seems to have been a successful event!
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 A view from the pit! Image courtesy of Liam Head
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Going Loco...Digitally |
Here at the Loco Department we have started the process of digitising the locomotive technical drawings held at Rolvenden.
This will stop the gradual degrading of the hard copy making drawings hard to read and reduce the amount of mouse food at Rolvenden.
Files will be held in PDF format and will be available for model makers and other interested parties for a small charge.
David Brenchley
Locomotive Delivery Manager
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This unique book is the perfect gift for the Railway, Engineering or Photography enthusiast in your life. Steel-Oil-Steam shows the world and work of the engineers, fitters and volunteers of our Railway. Through the generosity of the creators we are pleased to provide a further opportunity for purchases by members for just £20. This beautifully printed book, with 67 facsimile-quality full-page black and white reproductions, explores the engineering underpinning our railway.
Books can be ordered online HERE
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4253 Locomotive Company |
The team has been working on lots of preparatory jobs for 5668. The team held a "drill a hole Tuesday", where we drilled hundreds of holes in the new tank plates for 5668's new fireman’s side tank.
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 Dick has been let loose with a paint brush. If it doesn't move, paint it.
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 Meg freshens 4253's numbers
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Meg recently took some time to freshen up 4253's numbers as it was last done some 4/5/years ago.
Work has also started work on the mobile lighting tower rebuild and repaint, ready for use in the station car park during Santa Specials at Tenterden. (making it easier to see where people have ignored the signs and parked off the hardstanding!).
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With so much work taking place it is inevitable that tools require some maintenance. To that end, a maintenance day took place recently along with checking of 4253's fittings.
Kelvin Williams
Volunteer
For latest 4253 project news visit the website and social media
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Members Last Train Special
Join us for the traditional 'Members Last Train Special' - to depart on Monday 3rd January at 15:35 from Tenterden Town Station. An opportunity for us to get together and celebrate entering a new year and perhaps enjoy a tipple together!
It is intended that this train will be hauled by visiting Locomotive Large Prairie Tank 4144 - subject to the usual caveats.
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Newsletter Archive
Have you missed a newsletter? Have you recently joined us? Whatever the reason, you can browse recent editions of this newsletter at https://kesr.org.uk/members-e-newsletter-archive/
Tenterden Terrier Online
As a member of the K&ESR, you can access ‘The Tenterden Terrier’ magazine in electronic format by registering your details at https://kesr.org.uk/tenterden-terrier-online/
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Support the K&ESR when you shop!
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Did you know that whenever you buy anything online – from your weekly shop to your holiday – you could be raising free donations for the Kent & East Sussex Railway with easyfundraising?
There are over 4,000 shops and sites on board ready to make a donation – including eBay, Argos, John Lewis, ASOS, Booking.com and M&S – and it won’t cost you a penny extra to help us raise funds.
All you need to do is:
1. Go to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/kesr/?utm_campaign=raise-more and join for free.
2. Every time you shop online, go to easyfundraising first to find the site you want and start shopping.
3. After you’ve checked out, the retailer will make a donation to Kent & East Sussex Railway at no extra cost to you whatsoever!
There are no catches or hidden charges and we’re really grateful for your donations.
Amazon Smile
If you’re an Amazon customer, you can support the K&ESR at no additional cost by using Amazon Smile – simply click the link below and setup the K&ESR as your selected charity.
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If you use Chrome, there’s a browser extension that will automatically turn your everyday Amazon purchases into AmazonSmile donations
https://couponfollow.com/smilematic
Thank You!
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From all of us here at the K&ESR, our very best wishes |
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Kent & East Sussex Railway
Tenterden Town Station, Station Road,
Tenterden, Kent TN30 6HE
www.kesr.org.uk
Registered charity 262481
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