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‍K&ESR Autumn Newsletter 2025

Bumper Edition  

Latest News from all around our Railway!

Join the Pump Trolley

Charity Challenge!

As you may already have seen on HOPS, Sarah Tagart is organising a fund-raising event that involves clocking up 200 miles of human locomotion on the recently restored K&ESR Pump Trolley. 

It may be the railway’s worst kept secret, but the derelict historical artefact was taken away for expert restoration by a well-known BBC TV programme and returned to the railway for filming last month. We will share an update as soon as we know when the episode will air.

In the meantime – and really the reason Sarah spearheaded the appeal in the first place – the restored Pump Trolley will be used to raise much-needed funds for our Pannier Locomotive No 1638!

The 1638 restoration has a fund-raising target of £163,800. So far, around £56,000 has been donated or committed in regular donations, meaning that we have reached around 35% of our target. Our engineers will visit Leaky Finders in October to review their proposals and agree the next work package.

The fundraising event will take place on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd November from 7am until 5pm, with teams pumping the trolley in turn - more details will be shared soon. 

If you’d like to take a turn at pumping the trolley, or you'd like to propose a team of three, please email Sarah at stagart@kesr.org.uk. You can also help by coming along to cheer from the platform, or make a donation via the 1638 appeals page. Thank you in advance for your support. 

Julie Wilkinson, Newsletter Editor 

‍Retail Working Group

Earlier in the year we published an appeal for volunteers to help form a new working group to support the various retail activities across the railway. We had a really encouraging response and I am delighted to say that the KESR Retail Working Group held its inaugural meeting at Tenterden Station in September.

The aim of the group is simply to help support everything we do at KESR in terms of retail. We already have a fantastic group of dedicated volunteers running our shops, and our hope is to build upon that to enhance what we sell and how we sell it. Of course, we always welcome more help! If you'd like to offer a turn in the shop - the training takes around 2 hours - please contact Andy at apapworth@kesr.org.uk

At our first meeting (held outside the Tenterden buffet in the late summer sunshine, punctuated by wafts of smoke from a traction engine steam-heating the carriages), we agreed that our immediate areas of focus should include our online presence, our product range, opportunities to improve the Tenterden shop, and in the longer term, planning for our retailing activities at Robertsbridge.

And just to show that we really are a ‘working’ group, I am so pleased to say that within a couple of hours of the start of the meeting, the group had not only identified some quick wins that would improve customer flow at the Tenterden shop but had also implemented them as the picture shows!

Who is in the Retail Group?

Andy Papworth, Caroline Warne, David Bray, Tim Wilkinson, Andre Freeman, Keith Jones, Mark Wignall, Pam Grigg and Catherine Motley.

Andy Papworth, Chair of the Retail Working Group

Diesel Fleet Update

Our diesel fleet plays an increasingly important role in our operations, deputising for steam locomotive shortages and, increasingly, as an attraction in their own right. In charge of keeping the fleet serviceable is Diesel Fitter, Jack Marlow. I caught up with Jack in his base at the Headcorn end of the Carriage Shed at Tenterden where he was carrying out a 50-hour exam on the 03, D2023. Sister 03, number D2024, is in the shed and is the main project for next year. 

The class 14, D9504, now over 60 years old, is maintenance heavy and requires a lot of attention to keep in reliable running order. It has recently had two new springs fitted. 

The DEMU ‘thumper’, class 205 number 1118, is now a permanent resident on the railway for the foreseeable future, courtesy of owner Nigel Remmington. It was given a repaint prior to the Diesel Gala by Jack assisted by Matt Webb and very smart it looks too. The unit was given an oil change on arrival and needed a new set of batteries.

Otherwise, it performed well over the three days of the Diesel Gala. It will carry out no more passenger duties this year but will be seen on training turns. It will share duties in 2026 with the DMMU. The Gala organising team are now taking a well-earned rest and working on other projects. Jack has some volunteer help but wouldn’t say no to more - please email Jmarlow@kesr.org.uk  

‍KESR in the News:

Schweerbau Testing

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At the beginning of September both ITV Meridian and the BBC were down at Northiam to report on a major collaboration between K&ESR and leading rail technology company Schweerbau. The equipment was demonstrated to representatives of Network Rail, Transport for London and other rail companies.

Over the previous two months, teams from K&ESR and Schweerbau had been working together to test and commission a ‘game changing’ suite of innovative technological systems. They are designed to tackle the significant challenges for modern rail maintenance: from protecting rail life to reducing environmental impact.

K&ESR has previously played host to the rail industry’s major annual training exercise, the Practical Trackwork Challenge, but this was a longer collaboration which also benefits the railway, offering solutions for universal rail maintenance issues.

Chairman Derrick Bilsby told reporters that this is something he hopes will be repeated: “Heritage lines provide the ideal environment for this kind of intensive testing which replicates urban environments but without the need to disrupt mainline services. What we have achieved together will mean more efficient and more environmentally friendly systems operating on all our rail systems, both modern and heritage.” You can see the BBC’s Report here.

Alison Miles, K&ESR Press Officer

‍Getting Ready for Santa!

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Santa Special bookings are running at about the same level as last year with First Class accommodation close to selling out on a number of days.

A lot of work is going on behind the scenes in readiness for our busiest time of the year. As always, Santa Specials require an army of dedicated volunteers, and Heather Packham is appealing for people to help out with staffing, with full and half-day options available. We are especially keen to find people to help with the Car Park, Catering (on-train and at stations), Cleaning, serving in the Shop and coordinating Santa's Sleigh. 

If you can help - or perhaps you know of a group (Scouts, Cadets, employers etc.) who'd be willing to offer a team of helpers - please message Heather at hpackham@kesr.org.uk 

‍Reunited with 4253...42 years on!

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In 1983, Matthew Taylor and his father visited the Barry scrap yard in South Wales to look at the derelict steam locomotives waiting to be cut up for scrap.

By chance, one of the pictures Matt’s father took was on the front of 4253!

Luckily, although it can’t clearly be seen in the photo, ‘4253’ had been painted on the smokebox door, just below the lamp bracket, which is how Matt came to check if the loco was still in existence.

Having contacted the 4253 group earlier in the year, we arranged with Matt and his father to come to Rolvenden to be reunited after all these years and to see the progress that has been made . . . just a bit different from the sorry state of our loco back then! We thought it would be a good idea to try and recreate the 1983 photo during their visit, which Matt and his father were keen to do — the result of the reunion is shown above.

Matt’s father remembers that even in 1983, you could just walk into the Barry scrap yard and wander about amongst the carriages and locos with little restriction of access.

They were also keen to see what had been achieved with the loco in the ensuing years, with Matt’s father remembering standing in the cab with rust holes everywhere! I think it’s fair to say they were pleasantly surprised by the progress and how complete the loco was.

Dave Farnham

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‍News from
the Rother Valley Railway

The reconnection to Robertsbridge is really taking off with a great deal of progress to report. 

Visitors to Robertsbridge Junction Station cannot fail to notice the impressive new station building, the external structure of which is nearly complete. Designed in Colonel Stephens’ style, the brick building is large enough to accommodate ticket buying facilities, a gift shop, and a refreshments area.

RVR Supporters’ Association members have been busy caring for the extremely attractive flower beds which run the length of the platform, and which ensure that the station already has a mature look about it. 

Down the line, work has been progressing along the track bed in a westerly direction from Austen’s Bridge towards Salehurst with many years of undergrowth rendering the route inaccessible in many places. Track clearance was required before surveying could take place. New fencing has been installed where necessary. By the second week of June, attention turned to the section of track bed near the site of Salehurst Halt. Before any machinery could enter the section, surveys had to be carried out for nesting birds, great crested newts, and bats.  

The two steel spans for Bridge 25 were craned into position during August with installation work continuing through September. Work is now complete to Austen’s Bridge. 22 August saw the replacement steel beams on Bridge 24 craned into place. 

August saw the first 1800 concrete sleepers moved from storage at Northiam and stacked at the lineside in the vicinity of Salehurst. Mid-August saw 71 tonnes of new flat-bottomed rail from British Steel delivered to Junction Road. 

5 September saw the railway take delivery of the level crossing concrete pads and these are stored at each crossing site. The crossing barriers and safety mechanisms are already in secure storage off the railway. 

Finally, some locomotive news. The wheels and frames of RVR’s Manning Wardle number 14 ‘Charwelton’ are now at The Flour Mills locomotive repair workshops at Lydney, Gloucestershire. The boiler and remaining parts are due to be delivered soon and then work can begin on completing the overhaul of this useful engine with a return to steam expected in the first half of 2026. 

Where is Our Coal Coming From?

‍For those of you who are interested in the latest source of our coal and its price, here's an update from Pete Salmon, our Operations Manager.

The choice of what coal we use is a delicate balancing act. Price is important, but so is the sulphur content. Our current supplies are coming from Poland where the quality of coal is good and seems to be in plentiful supply for the foreseeable future.

The latest delivery cost £336 a ton, a slight reduction on the price 12 months ago. Each delivery comprises 28 tons, enough to last about 14 locomotive steaming days. The source has been changed recently with the previous supplies being prone to clinkering, containing an unacceptable level of stone.

Welcome News from
the Wealden Pullman

We welcomed several new volunteers to the Pullman Attendants team this year. Allison and Chris Martin joined earlier in the year and have now been joined by their 14-year-old grandchildren, Sam and Evelyn. ‘It is particularly gratifying to welcome the ‘next generation’ and they show an aptitude well beyond their years’, said Pullman Manager, Meg Gooch. Railway stalwart Kai Bass tried the Pullman as a one-off, found it to his liking and is now a regular. Also new to the team are David Rowlands and Gavin Field.

Bookings for the year are at capacity with all Saturday evening and Sunday lunch trains filled through to the end of the season including the Christmas and New Year trains. 

Three charter trains have been run this year. One was a wedding reception on 23 May for a Canadian couple who ‘discovered’ the Pullman at the 2024 Forties Weekend. Wedding receptions take a great deal of planning and this was no exception involving the best part of 12 months of work. Trustee David Nibloe and his wife Suzie celebrated very special birthdays on 13 May, and we welcomed back the Folkestone and Dover Masons for the 21st consecutive year. 

The appeal in the July edition of the K&ESR Newsletter for a supplier of new Pullman jackets solicited a contact from a past Pullman customer and Newsletter subscriber whose business makes uniforms for 5* hotels and other premium catering establishments. Following an initial meeting on Teams and a subsequent face-to-face visit to meet Meg and André, quotes have now been received.  A number of Pullman staff have indicated that they wish to have their own jacket but a number of ‘common user’ jackets  in various sizes will also be ordered.

An approach was made to 4 other railways who provide a Pullman service, the Bluebell, North Yorks Moors, Swanage and South Devon Railways to understand likely interest and to bulk up the order. New jackets will be available for the 2026 season, the first new items since 2001! They are being paid for out of the tips fund. Also on order and paid for through tips are a number of cast brass items  including light fittings, grab handles and door furniture for eventual use on Pullman Car ‘Isle of Thanet’, itself bought out of the tips fund.

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Commercial Update

The formal launch and operation of the new ‘Rother Valley Limited’ service featuring as its centrepiece Restaurant car ‘Diana’ has, in the words of Commercial Manager, André Freeman, been an ongoing challenge. ‘Diana’ was back in the Carriage Shed recently to finalise the work started earlier in the year, and André confidently predicts ‘it's nearly there’.

An at-seat dining service will operate around two days a week, as well as offering catering support for other events and Fox and Edwards. The menu will comprise a mixture of full English breakfast on the morning train, or a selection of meals on the lunch train - fish and chips, lasagne or curry! Depending on the commitments for that day, it may also run cream teas, afternoon tea or ploughman's on the later trains.  

Fox and Edwards has confirmed they will be back with us for another year with a slightly changed format in the light of experience. They work with 19 heritage railways and openly describe the K&ESR as the most customer focussed. (I know who they consider the least but I couldn’t possibly comment!). Our partnership with Fox and Edwards gives us guaranteed income for the  space they book with us - a welcome addition and suppport for our own Marketing and Events team. 

We’re also working closely with cruise ship operators and with an increase to the highest ever level at Dover Cruise Terminal already booked for 2026, prospects are looking good.

We’re hosting our first unique Murder Mystery Night in association with BLODS - the Bexhill Light Operatic and Drama Society on Wednesday, 15 October. Hopefully this will become a regular feature on our future plans.

Also in October, we have our own production team working on the Spellbound Express during half term, and also "Fright Night!" on 31st October. These events need lots of helping hands to dress, deliver and clear down - if you can offer any assistance, Heather would very much welcome hearing from you! Please contact hpackam@kesr.org.uk

Finally, tickets for 2026 are already on sale, including Wealden Pullman and Fish & Chip trains, with the booking system loaded for the coming year - about 5 months earlier than previous years. Operating days and departure times for the year are agreed with a ‘robust’ timetable being operated. The public website is receiving a much-needed overhaul and this should go live as we work towards our 2026 open season. 

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Carriage & Wagon Update

Work continues apace with the department’s current main projects, namely the body refurbishment of Maunsell NBO No.54, and the repaint of Mark 1 TTO No.68, both of which have seen a lot of hard effort expended by the department’s dedicated staff to carry out the necessary work required. 

No.54 has now had all of its roof work completed, including the fitting of a specially fabricated roof panel over the wooden cover for the water supply tank at the Robertsbridge end of the carriage. The panel was made by Tom Newell who was responsible for the excellent new cab panels on GWR Railcar No. 20. A new door panel has also been fabricated and fitted to one door on the Tenterden platform side, as the old one had suffered corrosion damage to the edges and internal surfaces.

Both sides of No.54 have had the paintwork rubbed down, and one side has now been undercoated ready for the first gloss coat of Southern Malachite Green. The window frames have been varnished, the underframe has been cleaned and painted, and the Headcorn end gangway plate has been replaced. New rainshield sections have also been fabricated and fitted above the passenger doors to try and stop the water leaks that have affected this carriage during its service as part of the Pullman set.

No.68 has now reached the stage of its repaint where the final coats of Carmine and Cream (“Blood and Custard”) gloss paint have now been applied to one side, and lining-out commenced, while the other is receiving its final coats of cream gloss paint on the upper bodyside, all contributing to what will be a very smart looking carriage when completed. Attention has also been given to No. 68’s running gear, with work carried out including the replacement of the two wheelsets on the Headcorn end bogie, and the replacement of all brakeshoes on both bogies.

Besides this work, the department has also been busy with the various maintenance tasks and examinations required to keep the running fleet operational. We are also pleased to report that the department has been able to welcome some new volunteers to its ranks, especially in light of current workload. 

Chris Davis

‍Unless otherwise stated, all articles have been written by Mark Toynbee, our new volunteer Roving Reporter, based on content from contributors. Thank you, Mark! 

Enormous thanks to you all for sharing your news to better connect our Railway communities and departments. If you have any submissions or suggestions for future issues, please email newsletter@kesr.org.uk or message Mark at mtoynbee@kesr.org.uk

‍Kent & East Sussex Railway

Tenterden Town Station, Station Road,

Tenterden, Kent TN30 6HE

www.kesr.org.uk

Registered charity 262481

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