Kent & East Sussex Railway
Members e-newsletter No.59
|
|
|
Welcome to the April issue of the e-newsletter. |
|
|---|
From the Chair...
|
The big news this month is that after seven years Shaun Dewey has decided it is time for him to retire as General Manager. During his service with us he has been tireless in promoting the interests and wellbeing of our Railway.
Shaun has successfully guided us through the unpredicted and unpredictable tribulations of Covid and he has laid the foundations for us to thrive in the future. His shoulders have been very broad, and he will leave the Kent and East Sussex Railway in a far better shape than it was when he first took up the reins.
Shaun's actual departure date is yet to be finalised but when he does go it will be with our sincere thanks and best wishes.
We shall be advertising very soon in the press and social media for a permanent successor.
|
|
|---|
In the meantime, I am pleased to say that we have secured the services of longstanding Member Mark Stuchbury to oversee the transition.
Mark will work alongside Shaun in the first instance and then hold the fort until a new person can take up post.
For those who don’t know him, Mark has held a number of senior posts in the railway industry, and he has been a volunteer with us for very many years.
|
|
 Mark aboard Diesel Shunter 08888 purchased for the benefit of K&ESR.
|
|
While on the subject of people, the Board has co-opted Andy Papworth to fill its vacant slot. Andy, a relatively new volunteer, has filled various roles on the Railway and currently chairs the Project Assessment Committee. In his previous life he has worked in banking and insurance, most recently in senior human resources roles. It’s the people aspects of the Railway that really interests him. He has many skills and much experience which we can put to good use. |
|
 Andy Papworth can be found - like many others - fulfilling any number of useful roles at the Railway. Here he is wearing his TTI Hat - literally!
|
|
|---|
Meanwhile, on the ground, the 2022 season has now started in earnest. Thanks to the efforts of many staff and volunteers, our station sites and trains are looking as fresh and smart as they have done for a long time, and we are offering our customers a new range of products and services. More will follow as the season unfolds.
|
Income over Easter was well in excess of £30,000, which has to be good in anyone’s book. And we are now looking forward to the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen, as well as our own Terrier 150 celebrations.
|
 A small addition to the departures for the Queen's 96th Birthday. Image: Caroline Warne
|
|
Unfortunately, not quite everything in the garden is lovely. Coal and other prices continue to rise at an alarming rate. We will be accelerating the work to ensure that we don’t spend money running trains that are not well filled, and together with colleagues in the Heritage Railway Association and elsewhere we shall do all we can to keep the needs of steam preservationists in the forefront of decision takers’ minds.
We also have to contend with the effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We don’t yet know what all of these will be, but all the pundits agree that the impact on the UK economy will be serious. For us it means that we will have to be even more prudent than usual, including by not committing ourselves to expenditure and projects that we are not absolutely certain we can fully fund.
But I sense that there is a lot of positivity and energy around the Railway. Let’s build on that, and work together to make 2022 a season to remember for all the right reasons.
Simon Marsh
Chairman
|
|
|---|
Carriage and Wagon |
Work continues on the new Kitchen Car in Carriage & Wagon. The team have been focusing on replacing the woodwork that supports the floor, which has been much easier by the commissioning of the dust extraction equipment in the Wood Machine Shop, regaining our ability to machine inhouse. Thanks are due to the team that have stuck with us through a very tricky period, in which everyone found themselves doing everything the hard way! Work also continues fitting the new hygenic plastic ceiling throughout, thanks to two comparatively recent additions to the team - volunteers Ivan Pelling and Jim Price who are seen fitting the sheets. Richard Stone has made some good progress with the complex on-board electrical systems. |
|
|---|
 Fitting the new ceiling. Photo: Peter Blythe
|
|
|---|
In others news we have purchased a Mark 1 BCK compartment coach from Riviera Trains. While it will need a bit of work, it has good potential to become a really lovely coach. It contains a small luggage area with double doors, so our intentions are this could make a wonderful second accessible carriage and give us another compartment coach that would be very useful – particularly at Christmas. |
|
|---|
 Our new Mk1 Photo: Peter Blythe
|
|
|---|
Work continues on the Family Saloon, to the point we have Meg in doing the signwriting. We are putting the coach into 1930’s Southern Green this time around, as this with two Maunsell’s is two Tons under our loading limit for a Terrier.
This will give us a matched three car set with wheelchair access that we think is going to look very nice!
|
|
 Meg applying the critical paintwork. Photo: Peter Blythe
|
|
 The Dancehall Brake looking fetching in pink! Photo: Peter Blythe
|
|
Work also continues on the SECR Dancehall Brake Van, with particular thanks due to the Great Western Railcar team.
It's currently in a "Maroon with Pink Ends" colour scheme that is quite striking. However this is just the undercoat!
|
|
Of course this is balanced with getting all the toys out of the box, for we are running trains again. We have our Mark 1's, Maunsell’s and the Vintage set in action already. Here we go!
Peter Blythe
Carriage and Wagon Delivery Manager
|
|
|---|
Terrier 150th anniversary - volunteers needed
|
|
|---|
To celebrate the 150th birthday of our Terrier No. 70 'Poplar' (also known as 'Bodiam') the K&EESR and The Terrier Trust are leading an educational project involving up to 5,000 primary school children in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets - which covers the district of Poplar.
Memorably, Terrier 'Poplar' will star at the Docklands Light Railway depot in Poplar over 6 days (15/16/17 June & 20/21/22 June) during which over 700 school children will see the loco up close and personal. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to share the story of Terriers and our Railway, to residents of inner London.
To ensure that the children's visits to this high-profile event are a memorable and educational experience, we are appealing for volunteers to greet the 30-strong school parties of children plus teachers/helpers and talk a little about the Loco and the Railway (based on a briefing which we will provide).
We hope you will agree that this is an exciting event. To find out more about how you can help or to register your interest in volunteeering please contact Patrick Favell via HOPs or by email to secretary@terriertrust.org.uk
|
|
|---|
|
 No 70, Poplar Photo: Colonel Stephens Railway Museum
|
|
|---|
Clive Lowe’s newer tamper, DR75201, is continuing to work towards final commissioning into K&ESR service. It was used to tamp and align the winter Permanent Way works at Tenterden, the renewal of the loop line, and the short renewal just over the road towards Cranbrook Road.
This gave us a good opportunity to continue ‘shake down’ trials of the machine.
This tamper is now in the workshop at Tenterden for repainting to be undertaken - which Jon Grimwood and his growing team of volunteers have progressed extraordinarily quickly, and to a great standard! A real credit to the team. The final major hurdle to overcome before the machine can be commissioned is finalising a hiring agreement.
|
|
 Tamper DR75201 undergoing repainting works on the diesel road in the workshop at Tenterden. Image: Jamie Douglas
|
|
Jamie Douglas
Permanent Way Volunteer
|
|
|
|---|
 J27 passing the Grosmont coaling plant at the NYMR. Photo sent by Chris Lawson (NELPG)
|
|
|---|
The K&ESR Guest Engine Fund is delighted to announce that the K&ESR is to be afforded the privilege of hosting North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group (NELPG) owned ex-LNER J27 number 65894 for approximately 6 weeks over the summer.
This hire has been arranged with the locomotive owners, in close cooperation with K&ESR managers, by the Guest Engine Fund and is to be funded in the main by Guest Engine Fund contributors - who will be contributing some £22,000 towards the cost of the visit.
Final details of the hire agreement, including arrival and departure dates are still to be agreed, and this information will be announced as soon as we are able, but in the meantime we look forward to seeing this loco running on the K&ESR and making up a very different steam fleet for the peak summer season to that which we have become accustomed for many years!
Jamie Douglas
K&ESR Guest Engine Club
|
|
|---|
|
Commercial Update
|
School Evacuation Days Monday 16th/Tuesday 17th May
We look forward to welcoming schools to our popular evacuation days on the above dates and a third in September at the request of some of the schools who visited us last year. Part of the day will include a billeting exercise when the children arrive at Northiam Station (renamed as a Welsh town for the day!). Thank you to those who have offered your help already. If you would like to be involved, we are still looking for a few more people to play Welsh locals so do please email me to find out more.
Terrier 150
To celebrate the return of Poplar for its 150th birthday, two events have been organised on Tuesday 31st May: a Press event in the morning before the station opens to visitors; and a special members train that evening - seats for which sold out in less than 24 hours!
Poplar will also haul its inaugural public train on the morning of Thursday 2nd June, premium price tickets apply for the 11:45 departure - bookings for this are now open. Poplar, and sister locomotive Knowle, will also be operating throughout the Best of British weekend
New Tenterden Family Trail
A brand new town trail for families has just arrived - with us taking pride of place as the Number 1 spot! Paper copies of the local trail are available at Tenterden station or download from our website. Once families have completed the trail, they can visit the Tenterden Museum to get their badge.
Heather Packham
Visitor Experience Manager
|
|
|---|
|
W20W Railcar Restoration Status Update
|
|
|
The Railcar’s engines were satisfactorily run up again at Rolvenden on April 20th as part of the agreed schedule. In the interim the team have been making good progress with the ‘Dance-hall’ brakevan and carrying out odd-jobs to support the Family Saloon whilst looking forward to the time when W20 can take their place in Carriage & Wagon. Hopefully this will be by June, which is also the month when we will hear the result of our grant application with A.I A. Fingers firmly crossed!
Chris Mileman was pleased to give a presentation about the Railcar to the Pevensey Transport Interest Group (PTIG) on April 12th. The group had been chaired by Tim Lawrence, an early member of the K&ESR, who led the Sussex Group. Tim was a long-term supporter of the Railcar, actively fundraising for us over the years. Sadly he passed away about four years ago but had already set in motion more fundraising for us. The PTIG continued to raise funds and finally achieved their target of £500. Chris was delighted to accept a cheque from Tim’s wife, Sally, on the evening and this will be paid into the Railcar Restricted fund and put to good use as soon as work recommences.
Chris Mileman / Neil Edwards
GW Railcar Team
|
|
|
|---|
Infrastructure and Wednesday Working Group (WWG)
|
|
|---|
Bearing in mind that almost all our work is outside, despite some poor weather the past few weeks have been busy in the Infrastructure Department & Wednesday Working Group.
Rotten fencing has been repaired/replaced around the Tenterden level crossing and picnic area, the repainting of the crossing gates is almost finished. Rolvenden crossing gates will be the next ones to be painted, followed by Wittersham Road & Northiam.
Success brings its own challenges, so as projects get ticked off, numerous "can you just" jobs get added! There's always plenty to do....
|
|
|---|
 Making everything nice and fresh. Photo: John Holland
|
|
|---|
 The junior project nears completion Photo: John Holland
|
|
The multi-coloured carriage wheelset was completed for the Junior Engineering Experience days and some of our junior members (Kian & Tom) have completed the refurbishment & repainting of the yard crane next to the offices - they will start on the crane at C&W next.
Much painting has also been carried out in the video room & the outside of the model railway/baby change/SCO & Santa container.
Cranbrook Road toilet has been painted again ready for its planned move into position next week - thanks to PWay for preparing the earthworks & moving the toilet.
|
|
The usual unseen general maintenance tasks carry on, the weeding, grass cutting, tidying, fixing leaking pipes etc. Paula continues with the cleaning of the carriages Mon-Fri, (when she's not dressed as the Easter Bunny!) whilst I clean them at the weekend.
For the past few weeks, the gang has been working additional days to keep up with the growing list of work, doing 3 days per week on some ocassions.
The team has also been split so a gang could go to Bodiam to help to get the camping coach looking as good as possible. This has included topsoiling, seeding, hedge planting & installing a frame with black netting to disguise the underneath of the carriage.
Thanks to the Bodiam group for their help & patience with this work.
Our next project is tidying up Wittersham Road Station & then we will start Paul Vidler's favourite job of painting signals. Working in cooperation with S&T, the public visible signals will be prepared & painted.
Thank you to all the WWG team, Paul(s), Rob, John, Geoff(s), Simon, Andy, Paula, Kieran, Pete, Roy, Sharon, Kelvin & the young recruits Tom & Kian.
Our Electrical Department are working their way through updating installations that were 'OK in the 80's' but now need more attention. They have worked on numerous areas this past month including Tenterden Video Room & Bodiam Shop, plus preparing for a rewire of Northiam Booking Office. Not forgetting Dennis who is quietly PAT testing his way around the whole railway, another mammoth task. Thanks to Richard, Clive, Peter & Dennis.
Camping Coach
A lot of work has been going on behind the scenes getting the Camping Coach ready to let, after getting the necessary inspections in place.
|
|
|---|
The bedding, cutlery & all manner of 'stuff' has been put in place, so the camping coach is now ready for customers.
There is still some landscaping to put in place & the hedges/grass still look thin on the ground, but in time they will grow to make the carriage blend in more to its surroundings.
|
|
 Inside the Camping Coach Photo: John Holland
|
|
 The Camping Coach coming together. Photo: John Holland
|
|
Next week we hope to have the carpark matting installed, 20 tons of topsoil moved, seeded & watered frequently.
More news on the camping coach to follow in the next newsletter.
|
|
If you'd like to join the group, or the other station/gardening groups, please contact me via infrastructure@kesr.org.uk
Brian Richards
Infrastructure Manager
|
|
|---|
View from the Stationmaster’s Office
Stationmasters pride themselves on maintaining a serene persona, presenting a public image of calm control whilst directing passengers, ensuring everything is safe and, of course, a whistle and arm raise which tells the Guard that all is well for departure and entertains our visitors.
Some days this is easier than others! On the first Tuesday service of the season the team at Bodiam, led on the day by Bernie Dobson, were eagerly anticipating the arrival of a coachload of cruise ship passengers who would be enjoying a trip on the train. We are all pleased to see this custom back after the enforced break. In the station yard contractors were opening a trench, minutes before the party arrived their digger managed to find an unmarked and undetected electrical cable. The station lost all power and use of its most requested “facilities”. After lots of smiling and possibly a bit of shoulder shrugging by the team our visitors were sent happily on their way to Tenterden, none the worse for their unplanned “experience”. An excellent outcome, teamwork at its very best.
|
 Peter keeping on the good side of our Easter Bunny!
|
|
|---|
It is reasonably safe to say that none of us around on the Railway today were here to see the first train in 1900! Over the generations things have changed a bit but a constant has been a loyal and committed workforce, which has relied upon a steady stream of replacements for those who have moved on. It is very pleasing that after the latest volunteer recruitment event, no fewer than four newcomers have chosen to start their KESR association by becoming trainee platform assistants - we look forward to you joining us.
First joining us in the late 1970's, David Goodwin has decided that the time is now right for him to step back from active volunteering. In recent years he has mainly been spotted at Bodiam as Station Master and a range of other roles. We had a chat about his early days when he told me that his first turn was as Booking Office Clerk at Wittersham Road, issuing Edmondson Tickets and doing the banking before he went home! As ever things have moved on a bit. Thank you David, your contribution has been much appreciated. We hope you will have the opportunity to pay us a visit from time to time.
Geoff Colvin
Chief Station Master
|
|
|---|
 Eileen waiting to greet passengers! Image: Frankie Grigg
|
|
|---|
 The new booking hall at Bodiam station. Image: Pat King
|
|
|---|
 Bodiam Shop with much improved space. Image Frankie Grigg
|
|
 Stocked shelves awaiting eager shoppers! Image Frankie Grigg
|
|
Spring is springing (sort of) and we are back in the running season, so work patterns on Tuesdays have to reflect the presence of the public. The hop garden is beginning to show signs of life, so Vic Grigg and Colin King have re-strung the hop poles ready for the plants to grow up. Although there won’t be a Hopping event specific to one weekend this year, the garden still remains a reminder of the station’s special function in the past and will continue to be part of telling our rich hop-picking story.
To ensure the station is welcoming to visitors, Adrian Freeman has been washing down the interior of the canopy and the main building, while Chris Wady and I have been refreshing the canopy paintwork. A non-train day next week should see this completed, weather permitting. Bruce Sharpe has installed the new lamp post and the refurbished lamp head will be re-fitted shortly.
150 hedge plants were delivered to screen the underside of the camping coach and Frank Wenham, Adrian and Bruce made a good start getting them planted in difficult ground. The remainder may be even more challenging in compacted ballast and clay!
The best intentions of dealing with the long-standing sewer smell outside the yard waiting room were thwarted when the contractor severed the main electricity supply cable, blacking out the station building completely on the first Tuesday of train services. The team set up temporary arrangements to keep the shop freezers working and boiling kettles to offer some sort of hot drinks service for passengers but till services were down. All was restored to normal within a few days thankfully.
The extended shop is a great improvement following the relocation of the partition wall by Dave Stubbs and repainting by Graham Holden and Bruce. BT have also re-located a telegraph pole at the entrance to the station, so the next major project is to re-position and renew the main entrance gates, posts and fencing. This will allow easier access for road coaches bringing and collecting passengers to the station. The opportunity has also been taken to replace the modern industrial gates with something more in keeping with those fitted to the station originally.
Malcolm Burgess
Bodiam Group
|
 Bodiam Station. Image courtesy of CSRM
|
|
|
|---|
Vacancy (Volunteer Post) |
|
|---|
There is a vacancy in the Tenterden Terrier team for an Editorial Assistant.
Duties mainly consist of proof reading but the successful applicant will also be welcome to commission or submit suitable articles or photographs for publication. All work is undertaken via email.
It is essential that applicants are computer literate, broadband connected, have an eye for detail and a reasonable knowledge of the K&ESR as it presently operates.
Experience of writing for publication or of publishing is desirable.
Please apply to Nick Pallant, Editor, at terrier@kesr.org.uk
|
|
|---|
Memorial Train - Mark Yonge |
|
|---|
It is with pleasure that we invite members to join a train service in memory of the late Mark Yonge; longstanding member, previous K&ESR Chairman and a pioneer for the RVR project.
The special train will depart Tenterden Town for a return journey to Bodiam on Monday 16th May at 15:35 and Members are asked to show their valid membership card for the journey.
Members of Mark's family and close friends plus his RVR Board colleagues will be present to mark the extraordinary contribution Mark made during his many years of support for the K&ESR.
|
|
 KESR Member and former Chairman and 4253 Director Mark Yonge.
|
|
|
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 receive notification when ‘The Tenterden Terrier’ magazine is published online by registering your details at
https://kesr.org.uk/tenterden-terrier-online/
|
|
|
All editions of ‘The Tenterden Terrier’ are now available to view or download from our website: to access this fascinating archive, click on the image above or visit https://kesr.org.uk/terrier/ |
|
Support the K&ESR when you shop!
|
|
|
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.
|
Thank You!
|
The total donated by Amozon to the K&ESR to date is £599.11 |
|
|---|
From all of us here at the K&ESR, our very best wishes |
|
|
Kent & East Sussex Railway
Tenterden Town Station, Station Road,
Tenterden, Kent TN30 6HE
www.kesr.org.uk
Registered charity 262481
|
|
|
|
|
|
|---|
|
|
