 Kids Go Free Promotion: Courtesy of Stepstone Images |
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Kent & East Sussex RailwayNewsletter - August 2025 |
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| Welcome to the latest news from our Railway |
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| What a Summer... |  Teddy Bear's Picnic | | Thanks to the hard work and dedication of all our teams, K&ESR enjoyed a busy and financially successful July, with income results at 10% over budget.
Our 3-day Diesel Gala attracted great TV and radio coverage, followed by two Diesel Driver Experience days. Then we launched our summer school holiday promotions: Kids Go Free and local's Season Tickets. We introduced a free Teddy Bear Trail and Activity Sheet; and a new teddy bears' picnic set arrived at Bodiam (provided with thanks by Tenterden's Mens Shed).
Of course, the glorious summer weather - not to mention our warm, friendly welcome! - all made for a successful July - with thanks to everyone who helped make this happen!
August results are looking a little more challenging but with the month not quite over yet, an update will come in the next issue. Market insight suggests that people, especially families, are tightening their 'days-out' budgets and looking for more free things to do, so we're exploring new ways to offer better value for money and extend our appeal.
Marketing, Communications and Events Team |
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Exciting News From
the Other End of Our Line... |  Helen Douglas, Appeals Director and Trustee, RVR | | We are thrilled to share some exciting news regarding our cherished railway community. One of our own, a dedicated member, volunteer, and former K&ESR employee, has been elected as a Trustee for the Rother Valley Railway Heritage Trust. This appointment is a testament to Helen’s commitment and passion for our railway heritage.
In Helen’s new role as Appeals Director, she will be taking the lead in the fundraising campaign for the necessary facilities at Robertsbridge Junction station. This is a pivotal step toward our goal of delivering on our mission statement of “Reconnecting Robertsbridge to Tenterden - The Dream Comes True" .
The appeal for facilities at Robertsbridge Station is to supplement the construction of the central section of the railway's 'missing link', which is already kindly funded by significant private charitable donations, to bring the vision to life.
Phase 1 of this fundraising project was to raise the additional funds required for the construction of the station building at Robertsbridge Junction. The structure of the station building will shortly be complete, with grateful thanks to K&ESR Trustee David Nibloe for his work in raising part of the total cost, by way of grants.
Phase 2 of the fundraising project will be to raise the necessary funds for a locomotive running shed behind the turntable, to enable flexibility of services of both steam and diesel trains from Robertsbridge, to ensure we are ready to respond to emerging customer trends when the railway reopens. Phase 3 of the appeal will be for a carriage shed opposite the platform at the station.
Helen’s experience, enthusiasm, knowledge of the K&ESR and the tourism industry make her the ideal candidate to support the aims of the Rother Valley Railway Heritage Trust and the K&ESR and work together as one railway to raise these vital funds.
We are confident that Helen’s leadership will inspire our community and help us reach new milestones in our journey. Please join us in congratulating Helen on this well-deserved appointment.
Together, we can continue to preserve and celebrate the rich history of our railway. Your support and involvement are crucial as we work towards these exciting developments, and we thank you for your continued dedication.
Derrick Bilsby |
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| Our Care for the Environment |
Having completed biodiversity surveys under the advice of the Kent Wildlife Trust and Adonis Blue, we are pleased to share news on the work being done by our Environment and Conversation Group, headed up by Trustee Paul Vidler and with the expert support of Keith Barron.
A new Environment and Conservation video is available to view on the K&ESR YouTube Channel, with our thanks to our volunteer videographer, John Bolton.
- A bird survey was undertaken to identify whether the railway line supported Red Listed species like Turtle Doves and Nightingales.
- A bumblebee survey was undertaken by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.
- We surveyed for reptiles and found significant numbers of Sloworms.
- We also surveyed for water voles, but found none.
We're now looking at other ways to share the great work being done to protect our 10-mile green corridor.
Thanks to Heather Packham and our artist-in-residence, Rick Hatfield, we now have available for sale (at just £4) an Explorer's Book full of beautiful illustrations based on the findings of the survey, plus facts on the history of our railway, and things to see and do.
Well done to everyone who's been involved in this important project. Please help promote this lovely booklet to friends and family!
Paul Vidler, Keith Barron, Heather Packham
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| Update from Carriage & Wagon | | With the refurbishment of the Restaurant coach Diana complete, attention turned to the Maunsell NBO 4443 (KESR No 54) which came into the shed for repairs and an external repaint. It is now over 10 years since the coach had a major restoration. The canvas roof was leaking, showing signs of deterioration and needed replacing - a labour-intensive and physical task.
As the volunteers who last carried this work are now 10+ years older, the decision was made to fit a new sheet-steel roof over the canvas one (pictured). Purists may not agree but at a time of rising costs and falling skills levels, replacing canvas roofs every 10 to 15 years is not an option. The integrity of the vehicle has not been compromised, and the change is reversible so could be put back to its original condition if ever required.
The existing paintwork was sanded back and localised repairs made to the aluminium cladding. All the delaminating glazed windows were replaced, and the internal timber work refitted. The droplights to the doors were removed and refurbished. The water tank servicing the toilet had a leak, which was repaired, and a new sheet-steel cover for the tank was fabricated to match the roof.
With work under way on the NBO, BR Mark 1 TTO S4355 (KESR No 68) came into the shed for a repaint and minor repairs. The timber door frames were deteriorating so need replacing. New timber sections were machined on-site in hardwood but have to be fettled to suit each unique opening. It is slow progress - sometimes taking a day to fit a single door jamb. As these frames contain the door locks, they are safety critical and must be done right.
While the work to the door frames continues, the coach has been rubbed down and any imperfections filled ready for the repaint. This coach has had a major refurbishment in the past so will not require a full repaint (up to eight coats of paint and varnish – with the cost of paint alone running to over £1,000) which reduces the cost and time to complete.
We have always aimed to do the best job we can when refurbishing our rolling stock to make them as future-proof as possible. This means less work next time a repaint is needed and doing it properly will save money in the future.
John Wheller, C & W Volunteer
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| Help Create Special Memories! |  Mark Wignall, Travelling Ticket Inspector. Image courtesy of Stepstone Images. | Thanks to a suggestion by Travelling Ticket Inspector, Mark Wignall, an assortment of Birthday Cards is now available to hand out to passengers on our trains if news of a special event reaches the TTI on board.
Mark delighted one 95 year-old birthday boy by encouraging an entire carriage of passengers to sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY! And then presented him with a 'Thomas the Tank Engine' Birthday Card, signed on behalf of the Kent and East Sussex Railway, much to his amusement.
This trial has proved to be such a hit, Caroline Warne is busy working to get K&ESR branded celebration cards produced - they'll be available very soon! We're also looking at whether we could offer a "Birthday Celebrations" upgrade package including balloons and bunting...
Thank you, Mark, for helping us find ways to improve our customer experience at the railway, so our visitors can create special memories with us. What a great team effort!
Mark Wignall, Julie Wilkinson, Caroline Warne, Heather Packham |
| How We're Planning toImprove Communication | New initiatives are being discussed to help us improve communication across our organisation - from finding ways to share essential last-minute changes to helping us all feel more informed:
More Newsletter 'News' Thanks to his very kind offer, Mark Toynbee will, from September, trial a new role as Newsletter Roving Reporter! Look out for him as he visits Departments seeking out stories of all the great work you're doing behind the scenes. If you're not confident writing, don't worry! Mark will take all the details and we'll craft a draft for you.
Communications Improvement Team A group of volunteers are exploring how we can do better with our communications across the organisation, looking at practical solutions to real-time issues. Look out for more news as plans develop.
Mark Toynbee, Julie Wilkinson
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| | | Kent & East Sussex RailwayTenterden Town Station, Station Road,Tenterden, Kent TN30 6HEwww.kesr.org.ukRegistered charity 262481 | | | | |
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