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‍Kent & East Sussex Railway

Members e-newsletter No.72

‍Welcome to the latest edition of the K&ESR's e-newsletter

‍‍From the Chair...

A week or so ago I had the absolute pleasure of being at Bodiam station on a beautiful spring morning.  The occasion was the planting of a Coronation Oak by His Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenant for East Sussex, Maj-Gen John Moore-Bick CBE DL.  The sun shone, the countryside was at its best, and although there were no trains the station was buzzing with volunteer activity and some of our local friends and supporters were present. 

‍The Coronation Oak itself had been organised by the Forestry and Conservation team and kindly provided by Coppice Wood and team member Paul Davies.  There was a polished silver spade, the Bodiam Group were tidying up the station, the shop and tea-room were open for our guests, and the camping coach was being attended to. 

It was also a moment for reflection.   

First, on the importance of the environment through which our Railway runs.  It is up to us not only to preserve and where possible enhance it, and its flora and fauna, but also to work with other individuals and bodies to make the most of this precious asset.  I’m pleased to say that we now have several initiatives in hand to bring this about.  It’s all part of the way in which we are increasingly looking outwards to see how we can better anchor ourselves in the community and the wider world.  This isn’t only right in itself; it will bring us tangible benefits in the years to come. 

Secondly, on the fact that the event was in East Sussex, at what we have come to consider as the far end of the line.  It may be the far end now, and for many of us it feels pretty remote from those who make Tenterden and Rolvenden their centre of gravity, but in a few years that is going to change.  Bodiam will no longer be a terminus, and in the future many of its passengers will come from the other direction, from Robertsbridge and beyond, journeying down the valley and on into Kent.  That’s a whole new way of looking at our Railway, with all kinds of implications for us.  We will need to work through those implications in the next few years, but the immediate task is to develop our presence in East Sussex and forge the same kind of links as those we have already been doing in Kent.  There will of course be challenges as the new stretch of line takes shape, but I am sure we will rise to them.  

‍We are all about people, and this month I should like to mention two, both connected with the signalling community.  As many will know, Clive Norman has, on an entirely voluntary basis, been our Signalling Inspector for no fewer than 40 years.  This must be a record for the longest serving postholder in any role on any heritage railway.  He stayed on to help with the post-Covid recovery, but he now feels it is time for a well-earned retirement.  He leaves behind him a strong, cohesive and all-volunteer department which is often under-appreciated.   

The other person is Richard Smith, who has been the signalling roster clerk for the past 18 years.  Richard has had the unenviable task of ensuring that the right people were in the right signalboxes and crossing huts at the right time, with up to seven individual workplaces to cover, a mix of competencies among the people available to cover them, and in the past couple of years a rather fluid calendar and timetable.  His meticulous and unflappable approach earned the respect of all.  He too has now retired, and we wish him well. 

Clive and Richard are examples of the kind of dedicated volunteer who are absolutely essential to our Railway. There are of course others, and we always need more.

Finally, 257 Squadron will shortly return to its home railway. We shall review the learning from its hire. In terms of bringing revenue to the first part of the season, and raising our profile, there is no doubt that it was a great success. But there was a resource cost, in its high fuel consumption as well as in the time taken to prepare and plan for the operation of a locomotive the like of which has never before been seen on the Kent and East Sussex Railway.

We do need to continue to experiment with ways of keeping the Railway fresh and interesting for everyone, for visitors and our own people, and we shall do so. Agility, fresh thinking, and taking carefully considered risks are key to our survival and success.

Simon Marsh

Chairman 

‍‍‍From the General Manager

"Daddy, I would like to stay here forever."

These words, spoken by a child visiting our 1940's event, perfectly capture the sentiment many of us share about our roles here at the Kent & East Sussex Railway. We understand the feeling of attachment and the desire to preserve something truly special. However, as time inevitably catches up with all of us, it is important to reflect on the theme of this article: Past, Present, and Future.

The Past was beautifully captured through our recent 1940s event and the Schools Evacuation Day. The event, themed as the 'Fabulous Forties,' celebrated the style, glamour, and music of that era. It acknowledged the victory over tyranny and the beginning of a new technological and social age. While we acknowledge the terrible events of war, it is also crucial to be sensitive to the ongoing conflict in Europe, particularly the current suffering inflicted upon the innocent citizens of Ukraine by Putin. 

‍The Schools Evacuation day, held on Monday after, created a different atmosphere. Its purpose was to give children a glimpse into what it would have been like to be evacuated from the imminent terror of bombing raids in the South East of England to the relative safety of rural Wales. It is crucial for them to remember the courage and determination exhibited by our forefathers in the face of adversity. By doing so, we remind them of the bravery and resilience of those who lived through the harrowing days of the Second World War. 

The Present showcased our contributions to the Coronation weekend to mark the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. From steam and diesel locomotives to DMMUs, 'A' Set, Pullman, and Victorian Set, we provided a diverse range of railway travel experiences. Our range of coaches spanned from the 1880's to the 1960's. The presence of classic cars and vehicles, including Minis, a ‘Roller’, a Traction Engine, and a Vintage Lorry, added to the festive atmosphere. The cleanliness of our carriages, the manned gates and signal boxes, and the welcoming station staff contributed to a positive experience for our visitors. The delicious food served in the Buffet, including Sunday Roast and Meg's cheesecake, garnered much praise. We carried nearly 900 passengers, served approximately 400 cream teas, and received numerous positive comments from visitors. The Herculean efforts at Rolvenden to get the locomotives available were greatly appreciated. Additionally, we had volunteers restoring historic vehicles, surprise birthday treats, and the celebration of several anniversary occasions. The dedication and commitment shown by our staff and volunteers were truly extraordinary.

During the Coronation celebrations, we had the privilege of hosting the Deputy Lieutenant of East Sussex, Major General John Moore-Bick CBE DL, who planted an oak tree at Bodiam Station. The tree, a feathered oak supplied by Coppice Wood and sponsored by Paul Davies of the forestry team, symbolises our commitment to ecological sustainability.

We have already planted over 3,000 trees on our land and plan to continue expanding our efforts in the future. As part of our ecological initiatives, we have collaborated with Tenterden & District Wildlife, the Kent Wildlife Trust Consultancy, and the Bumble Bee Conservation Trust to conduct a major survey. This survey has already identified 77 bird species, including ten of the highest conservation concern, and at least one rare bumble bee.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every member of staff for  hard work, dedication, and passion in making all these events a reality. The meticulous organisation by our events team, the tireless efforts of various departments in setting up the scenes and ensuring smooth operations, and the availability of locomotives at Rolvenden truly made all the difference. Your commitment and enthusiasm are truly commendable and have resulted in the success of these events. The smiles on our visitors' faces, the laughter and excitement in the air, and the positive feedback we've received all reflect the Railway’s commitment to excellence.

‍Recently, we held a meeting to begin the process of shaping how the K&ESR will look and feel in 2030. This initial meeting was highly productive, and we are committed to engaging and consulting with a wider audience to tap into the wealth of talent, experience, and creativity among our stakeholders. We must remain nimble and adaptable to changing social, economic, and environmental trends and challenges. As a charity with charitable objectives, we must embrace our legacy and the spirit of innovation and collaboration that has defined our railway throughout history. We must continue to prioritise safety, provide a platform for learning, and ensure that everyone who comes to the railway, whether as a volunteer or visitor, has fun and enjoys a sense of purpose.

It is also worth noting the profound public health challenge of loneliness facing our society. Loneliness has been linked to various health conditions and can have detrimental effects on overall well-being. Fortunately, the K&ESR and other heritage railways already offer an antidote to loneliness. People of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to join our railway family as volunteers. By doing so, they can make friends, have fun, learn new skills, find purpose and focus, achieve great things, and keep our important legacy alive. Perhaps we should consider volunteering as a prescribed remedy for combatting loneliness, improving well-being, and living longer.

Finally our Steam Up event which rounded off a very busy month was met with excitement. Remembering it is through our collective efforts and unwavering dedication that we can continue to create memorable experiences and ensure that the Age of Steam (and first generation Diesels) lives on.

Thankfully the sun shone, the crowds flocked, and the trains ran like clockwork! We took passengers to Junction Road as a taster for the future extension to Robertsbridge. We ran a Special 'Little and Large’ pairing with '257 Squadron' and ‘Marcia':

‍Visitors were able to see rarely seen locomotives, normally in secure storage and 'Behind-the-Scenes’ visits proved very poular.  Everyone I spoke to enjoyed themselves and we received lots of positive messages of thanks, an example being how well we looked after a lady confined to a wheelchair at Northiam. Commercially we achieved our target visitor figures so overall it was a great success.  Was there a highlight? Yes, seeing the last train arrive back in Tenterden at 17:28, 1 minute early after three days of intensive running - we had pulled off a great event! None of it would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of all our team of volunteers and staff: they made the impossible possible.

Sometimes it was tough, and there are without doubt many who again went above and beyond. Thank you all, once again, for your invaluable contributions and for being part of the Kent & East Sussex Railway family. Together, we can shape a future that honours our past and inspires new generations.

Robin Coombes

General Manager

‍‍Bodiam Update

At last some dry(ish) weather has allowed us to get stuck into the maintenance of the grounds and some exterior paintwork to smarten up the station for the busy season. The crossing gates have been refreshed with a pressure wash and a coat of white paint, and other gates and platform benches have also had the ravages of winter attended to. The platform store has been transformed into a stock room for the shop, being lined with insulation and the power points relocated. Warmth on top of much moisture means that grass cutting is now a weekly necessity with hedge trimming and brush cutting when nesting has finished.

The plastic covering on the corrugated tin roof of one elevation of the yard waiting room/museum has been peeling off since last year and needs stripping before re-coating with a suitable paint. It looks unsightly but can’t be completely treated until the last of the plastic film has detached. We will make it as presentable as we can until a complete repaint is possible.

Some ash has been distributed around the yard to level out dips and holes but more work will be necessary.

Malcolm Burgess

Bodiam Group

‍Railcar W20 Update

Progress continues.

The South East Auto heating engineers returned on schedule on the 24th/25th April to complete the connections for the heating system and it was commissioned successfully. It is very effective and even the Driver and Guard are going to be very snug!

The underfloor (Buffalo Board) has now also been completed in the large saloon and vestibules and it looks great.

The boiler housing has been primed but still awaits scumbling (anybody out there with any experience, please get in touch) and the original front of the old water tank stripped and ready for fire-proofing and primer, again, prior to scumbling

The generator has been overhauled and fitted.

The saloon light fittings have been stripped, refurbished and painted to match the ceiling. Compliant replacement wiring has been installed within electrical trunking for protection. (The trunking will be capped with a wooden cover, as per original.) Refurbished lamp fittings are installed and working within the passenger areas. The LED bulbs have been fitted and tested. These bulbs have exactly the same colour as the original incandescent ones, and look superb. The difference being, all those bulbs only draw 1.1 Amps! The restored saloon ceiling ventilators have also been fitted.

So the vehicle will be looking as good as it can for the end of May event when visitors will be able to safely walk on board and admire all the hard work. We hope you will be one of them.

Chris Mileman and Neil Edwards

W20 Group

S‍ustainability Working Group

Not one, not two, but three articles for you.

Not just ‘Picturesque’ but ‘Remarkable’

In the Spring 2023 edition of the Tenterden Terrier, I wrote about the mosaic of habitats along our green corridor. When I wrote that article, we were hoping that a successful bid with the Janus Foundation would support a habitat survey conducted by the Kent Wildlife Trust. It was at the instigation and the good offices of Richard Masefield, founder of the Tenterden Wildlife Trust, that this was made possible at a meeting chaired by the Mayor at Tenterden Town Hall, which Steve McMurdo alluded to in his article on page 16.

Since then the bid has been successful. You may have seen Paul Vidler on KWTV explaining how the survey will enable us to protect and promote the natural richness of the lineside and enable passengers to appreciate more fully what they can see from the train. It is already providing evidence of just how rich and remarkable our corner of Kent and East Sussex is. Heather Packham has plans for an Activity book for children and families to engage their curiosity about the railway’s history and its lineside features, landscape features and history and the diversity of wildlife. Imagine a sort of K&ESR I-Spy style booklet.

We have also contributed information about the sustainability work the Railway has already undertaken to the Tenterden Town Council to support their bid for a Wilder Kent Award from the Kent Wildlife Trust. This is another good example of us working constructively with our local community.

Below is a companion piece about what the early bird surveys revealed. Now, initial pollinator surveys are discovering rare bumblebees. The flowers along our embankments are clearly supporting vital pollinators.

This work has consumed much of the Sustainability Group’s energy. But it is energy-saving to which we must all turn and focus our attention. Ways of achieving this are being investigated.

Keith Barron

Sustainability Working Group

‍Not Counting Peacocks

On stepping out of the car at 5.40 in the morning at Wittersham Road, David, our specialist bird-surveyor, immediately announced: ‘There’s a wren, a treecreeper and a chiffchaff’. I could not see them; neither did he. This was our introduction to his finely tuned hearing. Like some sort of sophisticated radar, he can hear and identify a number of species at the same time. In the two days it took us to walk the entire length of the line, he identified 78 species, 11 of which are on the endangered ‘Red List’. And on our last survey in April, 5 nightingales were identified. We are waiting to hear the final tally of overall numbers.

This shows what a rich and varied sequence of habitats are linked together by the railway line and just how much birdlife the railway helps to support. It was fascinating to watch David: not just eye-opening, but ear-opening. Using an app on his phone, he recorded every bird he heard or saw. Only when you are with an expert can you realise just how common the diminutive wren is. Often, David would stop for 5 minutes or more as he recorded a wealth of details, not just the species, but whether it was in flight, perching or hidden. There were important finds: the sheer wealth of yellowhammers, a bird in serious decline, and the number of early migratory whitethroats.

On Day 1 we walked to Tenterden headshunt. On Day 2, when we walked to Bodiam, the landscape opens up with long and wide vistas across the neighbouring fields. Here we saw ravens, a trio of tumbling lapwings, the occasional buzzard and kestrel and for the entire route we were accompanied by skylarks, another species in decline. Large free-standing willows provide perches for small birds. At one point a flock of over twenty corn buntings flew into one. Yes! You guessed it: another bird in serious decline.

So. What about the peacock? On our second day, we heard the echoing cry of a peacock from the direction of Rolvenden Layne – or was it from the Secret Garden at Great Maytham?

Keith Barron & Paul Vidler

Sustainability Working Group

‍Save Your Energy…?

Your Railway NEEDS you to 

SAVE ENERGY

SAVE WASTE

We all know the reasons why energy prices are so cripplingly high. This poster will shortly appear in buildings across the Railway and was created as a reminder to switch off wherever necessary and to inform how much the Railway spends on energy, particularly electricity.

Do volunteers, members and staff know how much the railway spends on electricity? And how that compares with our own personal unit energy costs?

The latest available annual figures show that KESR spent over £60,000 on electricity alone. So you can see how important it is to use electricity wisely.

KESR is a business paying commercial rates for electricity which are far higher than the domestic tariffs. Establishing the actual cost of electricity is a challenge as the Railway has several contracts, for its different locations, with different suppliers at different rates depending on when the contract was taken out.

Many steps have already been taken to reduce energy consumption including fitting LED bulbs and installing meters to measure consumption in various locations. It may come as a surprise to look at figures from three such locations.

If lights are left on in these locations for 12 hours overnight the daily costs are:

Carriage Storage Shed Sidings: £37.92 at £3.16 per KwH

Rolvenden Shed main lighting: £17.64 at £1.47 per KwH

Rolvenden Yard floodlights: £14.40 at £1.20 per KwH

Which gives an overall total of £69.96 which could be translated into over a ton of coal over 8 day period.

The Railway continues to find way of reducing energy costs in the short term and investigating alternative sources in the longer term each of us can play a part in reducing unnecessary use of electrical energy.

Philip Noakes

Sustainability Working Group

‍‍Commercial Update

1940s weekend 13 – 14 May

Firstly a huge thank you to everyone who helped with delivering  an incredibly successful 1940s event, back to its May timeslot and former scale for the first time since before the pandemic. We welcomed over 1600 people to the event across the two day weekend, with around three quarters of these people choosing to travel on the train to enjoy the entertainment at both ends of the line. With the large number of vehicles and re-enactors who signed up this year, we extended the display on to the grass area at the top of the car park at Tenterden, something which worked well and we can look to repeat in 2024.

Evacuation Day 15 May

We welcomed 6 schools for our evacuation day on the Monday with lots of positive feedback received from teachers on the day about the experience. Again a big thank you to everyone who helped deliver this event alongside a great turnout of reenactors.

‍The next evacuation day will take place on Tuesday 26th September.

FORTHCOMING DATES OF INTEREST:

Traction Engines weekend 10 – 11 June

Opportunity to come and see a display of different traction engines, both large and small, at Tenterden Station .

CAMRA 16 & 17 June

The return of this incredibly popular event with a quiet members evening on the Friday followed by live music throughout the day and evening on the Saturday with plenty of beer flowing!

70's & 80's 24th June

Travel back in time. A chance to dress up in your favourite 70's or 80's gear, take a selfie in front of our groovy photographic backdrop and admire some classic vehicles from that era. Why not try your hand at some retro board games in the assigned games carriages. If you would like to help on the day please get in contact.

Wednesday 28th June June

Evening Fish and Chip train - tickets can be booked via the Booking office 01580 765155.

There is plenty more to look forward to this year, our public website gives further details for those who wish to learn more.

if anyone would like to assist us to deliver the above activities, please contact me via hpackham@kesr.org.uk

Heather Packham

Commercial Officer 

4‍253 Group

It has been a while since we posted an update on the progress of 4253 Locomotive.

Not that we have been idle. 4253 has been stripped of her water tanks and cab and we have been assisting the Engineering shed staff at Rolvenden with various repairs, modifications, painting etc on several locomotives.

‍We also took the time to inspect the Memorial Bench for Dave (Rivet) Dee, and discovered that the paint and wood did not look good, so new hard wood was purchased; the metal legs were taken back to bare metal and repainted, and the wood received a coating of oil.

‍Although several people contributed towards the refurbishment, Bob did the final assemble.

It did not take long before the bench was tried out.

Kelvin Williams

4253 Locomotive Company

‍Bodiam Camping Coach

For more details and booking please email: Bodiamcoach@gmail.com

Bryan Atkins

‍K&ESR AGM

Annual General Meeting in St. Mildreds Church, Tenterden on Saturday 4th November 2023. More details will be circulated in July.

John Cobbett

Company Secretary

‍Situations Vacant

Casual Hospitality Assistants

We are currently seeking Hospitality Assistants to undertake a variety of duties, working in our Gift Shops, Catering outlets or traveling onboard our trains to provide an at-seat service selling a wide range of gifts, souvenirs, food, drinks and alcohol. We are famed for our warm & friendly staff, so to find out more about how you could be a frontline ambassador for the K&ESR, visit https://kesr.org.uk/vacancies/hospitality-assistants/ or email catering@kesr.org.uk

‍Volunteer Pullman Attendants

We have vacancies for Pullman Attendants (waiters) and Bar Stewards on Saturday evening and Sunday Lunch Wealden Pullman services. There's full training available, so the only requirement is that you'd like to enjoy meeting and working with a great team of people! To experience our lovely new kitchen carriage first hand, contact Meg Gooch mgooch@kesr.org.uk

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/

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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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