Kent & East Sussex Railway
Members e-newsletter No.64
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Welcome to the September 2022 issue of the e-newsletter. |
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 Chairman Simon Marsh congratulates John Emmott for his long service during an evening special train.
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From the Chair...
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September has of course been overshadowed by the sad death of Queen Elizabeth II, at the beginning of whose reign the Kent and East Sussex Railway was still open to passengers and freight, and along the whole length from Robertsbridge to Headcorn. Much has changed in the intervening seventy years. I am proud that we as a Railway responded appropriately, lowering our flag to half-mast, posting a message of condolence on our website, and hosting a community event for the funeral.
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 The sun sets as the nation goes into mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth II and our flag is lowered to half mast. Photo courtesy of Robin Coombes.
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Robin Coombes, our General Manager, continues to settle in and deepen his understanding of the changes we need to make and how to go about them. In this he will be challenged and supported by the Trustees.
For changes there will have to be. Along with many other heritage railways and similar attractions, we are facing a downturn in income compared with pre-Covid times. Our August visitor figures, for example, were 24% down on the base year of 2019. And, to take but one example on the expenditure side, our insurers have withdrawn from the railway market and the cost going forward with a new company is going to be significantly higher. We are, as I have said many times before and will doubtless do so again, going to have to look for more, and more radical, ways of cutting our coat to fit the cloth. The reserves that we built up for a rainy day are steadily diminishing; the rain is heavier and longer lasting than we could reasonably have predicted.
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We have not been passive. The commercial team is looking at ways of extracting more revenue from the Tenterden site, for example by running cinema nights, and we will shortly be hosting a visit from a body of group travel operators.
Our catering and retail businesses are performing ahead of expectations. That said, the going will continue to be tough, and it will become increasingly tougher.
It is often simple to say: “why don’t we do . . . ?”.
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 33202 arrives at Tenterden Town Photo: Caroline Warne
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The reality however is that to lay on an event, or develop any kind of new initiative, we need people who are prepared to step up to the plate in the common interest, and to bear a share in the responsibility. Many of course already do this, and we could not manage without them. That said, we must prevent individuals from burning out and jeopardising their wellbeing. The risk is a real one. We always need more volunteers, not only in the obvious front line roles but in the backroom too.
At the moment, for example, among other needs, we could do with additional help with IT, more people with project management experience, and someone to help the General Manager with the routine so that he can concentrate at the more strategic level. If you are interested, please contact Robin or me, or any Trustee.
We are, as many will know, taking further steps to recruit volunteers and cherish those that we have. This month I have had the privilege of attending a volunteering committee meeting at which plans for doing this were taken forward. And I was able to spend a delightful evening in the newly restored SE&CR Family Saloon presenting Long Service Awards to a number of our people, each of whom was invited to bring a guest. There will be more such events in the future.
Still on volunteering, Andrés Castellón, a student from Cardiff University and originally from Bolivia, has been volunteering with us throughout the summer. He is now returning to university. We would like to thank him for his contribution.
A presentation took place on the Pullman just last weekend, where he was presented with some K&ESR merchandise so that he cannot forget us too quickly!
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 "Northiam" arrives at Tenterden. Image courtesy of Robin Coombes.
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Trustees have been busy, individually and as a Board. Together with the new General Manager we have been reviewing our risks and how to manage them, as well as looking at what hasn’t gone as well as it might have done and how to ensure we don’t make the same mistakes again.
There are of course several items that haven’t gone as smoothly or as quickly as we would have wished. We know this; but all too often the root cause has been the sheer lack of bandwidth across the Railway.
There are times where we know what we need to do, but just can’t find the space to do it. Collectively, at all levels, we are close to, or at, the limit of what can be managed effectively. Perhaps it is time we all recognised the fact.
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 View from Tenterden Headshunt. Image courtesy of Robin Coombes.
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The Annual General Meeting will take place on 12 November 2022. If you are unable to attend, please do email your proxy forms to jcobbett@kesr.org.uk well in advance. That way we can ensure that everyone has a voice.
Will we be successful for the rest of 2022, in 2023, and going forward?
Yes, if we keep focused on increasing revenue and getting value for every pound that we spend, if we are prepared to take difficult and perhaps unpopular decisions, and if we continue to evolve as an organisation.
Simon Marsh
Chairman
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 A classic country scene is complete with this vintage bus which transported a group to KESR. Image courtesy of Robin Coombes.
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Annual General Meeting |
 KESR 2021 Annual General Meeting in full swing
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The Annual General Meeting will take place at St Mildred's Church on Saturday 12th November 2022 during the afternoon.
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Looking After Wellbeing |
Health & Wellbeing has been a focus of the wider rail industry for some time and the well publicised effects of the lockdowns associated with Covid has added further impetus to these efforts, Mental Health being a particular area of concern.
We are also aware of pressures on both our paid staff and volunteers both from the impact of Covid and the wider challenges we all face on a day to day basis and look to support them in whatever limited ways we can.
To provide support to all levels of the industry, Health & Wellbeing Live is an event to whom everyone is welcome to attend and the attached information will enable anyone who wishes to get involved to participate. I have sampled some very good presentations in previous years and would recommend that you take a look at the various subjects on offer and tune in - either live, or "on demand" afterwards - to anything that sparks your interest. Click here to read the agenda
Neil Sime
Safety Director
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Locomotive Department |
 Coaling up at Rolvenden to return to steam. Photo courtesy of Robin Coombes.
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We were delighted to be able to return to steam haulage from the beginning of September and are pleased to report that our very own "Northiam" No.25 and hire-locomotive "Swiftsure" are holding their own and maintaining the service, ably supported by the DMMU, Class 33 and Class 14 Diesels.
We were however sad to say goodbye to visiting Prairie locomotive 4144 this month and hope that we may see her run on our line again some time in the future.
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 Driver Heidi Mowforth preparing her engine for service. Image courtesy of Robin Coombes.
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USA Tank number 65 "Maunsell" continues her overhaul. The boiler progresses well: tubes are in and expanded. Now comes the hydraulic test to find out if we have any leaks.
Her cab is currently in the workshop being stripped of black paint in preparation for her to be repainted a nice shade of green...
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 Austerity locomotives pass at Northiam as they keep the service ticking over nicely. Photo courtesy of Phil Edwards.
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Charlwelton's boiler work continues and we anticipate that it will be reaching it's conclusion and return to K&ESR shortly.
In the meantime there is plenty of work to be completed including ensuring the cylinder blocks are in place and will be ready for final bolting into the frames - all work which is superbly completed by our volunteers.
David Brenchley
Locomotive Delivery Manager
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 A view at dawn from Tenterden Home Signal. Image courtesy of Robin Coombes.
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Commercial Update
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October events
Film nights
Following the success of our screening of "Elvis" in September and the positive feedback from those who attended, we are looking to offer further cinema nights during the October half-term week of 22nd to 30th October.
Film titles and timings are still being finalised, but The Rocky Horror Picture Show is definitely on the cards for one or two evenings and then some family-friendly films like Coco.
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October half term family activities
The theme this October half term will be nature-related, focusing on the various animals who go in to hibernation over the winter months. Each child will be offered a trail entitled “The Big Sleep” to entertain them on board the train.
Heather Packham
Visitor Experience Manager
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Schools Visits |
 Children from Tenterden Junior School experience the conditions of a "crammed" carriage during the Evacuation Experience at Tenterden on Monday 26th September 2022. Image courtesy of Robin Coombes.
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 Volunteer Re-Enactors wave as the train departs for Evacuation.
Monday 26th September 2022.
Image courtesy of Robin Coombes.
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 Our tradition of providing an interactive educational experience continues to enhance classroom learning. Image courtesy of Robin Coombes.
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 Northiam between trains. Image courtesy of Robin Coombes.
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Bodiam Group |
With the celebration of the hop-picking season being spread over a month this year, the Bodiam team were tasked with decorating the station and preparing as much interpretative material as possible. Frank Wenham, Chris Wady, Bruce Sharp and Graham Holden harvested several bines from the station hop garden and used them to drape the station building to good effect.
Paul Randall and I located and positioned the hop trough between the rows of hops in the garden and strung a washing line for the hoppers hut while Pat and Colin King refreshed the interior of the hut and wrestled with the audio visual set up in the waiting room/hopping museum. During the first weekend Vic Grigg gave talks beside the hut to interested passengers. Pat also supplied bunting which Adrian Freeman and I strung along the platform. These measures gave the whole station a celebratory atmosphere.
The large gate protecting the sidings from the main running line was built by a former Bodiam team member several years ago. Despite several repaints the weather has got into it so that a refurbishment and repair job is necessary. Adrian and Jim Barnes have taken on this task and, weather permitting, it will be secure and spruced up before the winter sets in. The tatty CCT van deposited at the station about 5 years ago was beginning to detract from the pleasant atmosphere so Chris, Graham and Bruce, on top of other demands, freshened up the paintwork.
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 Staff receive their service awards at Bodiam station during an evening special. Image courtesy of Robin Coombes.
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The land at the Robertsbridge end of the site and beyond the picnic area, planted a few years ago with trees as a memorial to the late Robin Dyce, suffered considerably during the culvert rebuilding project and the installation of the camping coach. It became very uneven, overgrown and unattractive for visitors. The new General Manager, Robin Coombs, has given the go-ahead to re-profiling the spoil mound, levelling the central area, reinstating the boundary fence and replanting the spaces between the trees with wildflowers.
A mown path will allow visitors to walk safely through the area to enjoy the wildlife which we hope will colonise this area. Ideally the necessary machine work will be completed before Christmas so that seeding can take place early next year and an attractive, contemplative space will be available for next summer.
Malcolm Burgess
Bodiam Group
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 Chris, Graham and Bruce freshening up the derelict PMV. Image courtesy of Malcolm Burgess.
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 The station decorated with hops and bunting. Image courtesy of Malcolm Burgess.
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On Track Machinery
We’ve had a busy few months with the On Track Machinery – as ever! Since the beginning of August the 07 tamper DR73434, and ballast regulator DR77329 have been away at the Epping and Ongar Railway, carrying out maintenance works and some more significant realignment and re-cross levelling works to reduce track cant in order to diminish some wheel wear they were experiencing. This is generating not only useful income for the upkeep of the machines, but has also been a great networking opportunity – our visit to the E&OR is what led to the visit of 33202 to the K&ESR when we most needed it during the tinder dry summer.
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 Ballast Regulator with the Tamper in the background arrive at North Weald station on the Epping & Ongar. Image courtesy of Jamie Douglas.
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These machines are due to return to the K&ESR before the end of October, after which they will carry out works in support of the K&ESR Permanent Way team. The 07 tamper will then need to go into the workshop at Tenterden for major maintenance, some modifications, repairs and the next stage of body repairs and re-painting. The remaining Balfour Beatty blue and white livery should be rather smaller, and the tamping units a little quieter, by the end of this! |
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 Ballast regulator at work beneath an overbridge near Epping. Image courtesy of Nick James.
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 Ballast Regulator at work brushing excess stone from the sleepers near Epping. Image courtesy of Nick James.
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We have also continued to work through the final tasks of commissioning Clive Lowe’s new switch and crossing tamper – DR75201. It only remains to finalise the hiring agreement for this machine, and it can go into service, as well as being available for external hire in due course.
Finally, some work has been carried out on the TRAMM to bring the re-entry of this useful and versatile machine a little closer, after the fantastic work carried out by the guys at Tenterden some time ago.
Jamie Douglas
Permanent Way Volunteer
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4253 Locomotive Group Update |
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During the week, the main focus was progressing the current project which involved finishing the hole drilling, stripping the majority of it apart again so that all the burrs round the drilled holes could be cleaned off prior to the mating surfaces being coated with mastic after which it was all realigned and bolted together again in preparation for riveting up.
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 Courtesy of 4253 Locomotive Co.
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 Courtesy of 4253 Locomotive Co.
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 Courtesy of 4253 Locomotive Co.
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The boiler work at HBSS continues to progress with the expansion brackets trial fitted to their newly installed studs.
This shot, taken from in the firebox facing forward, shows the fitted longitudinal stays - three of which are just visible through the larger flue tube holes plus all the new copper stays at front and sides.
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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 receive notification when ‘The Tenterden Terrier’ magazine is published online by registering your details at
https://kesr.org.uk/tenterden-terrier-online/
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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/ |
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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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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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