The Kent & East Sussex Railway...

Hi all. This morning, bright and early, I was on the M40 making my way south. My destination was, ultimately, the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. Eddie was already down there, having taken a weeks holiday as part of our visit to the famous miniature mainline. However, whilst in the area, we couldn't pass up the opportunity of visiting the nearby Kent & East Sussex Railway. Having collected Ed from our new southern base at Ashford, we meandered through the country lanes and soon reached the pretty little town of Tenterden. At the bottom of a small road just a few hundred yards from the town centre, we discovered the KESR station. Car parked, we ambled over the level crossing and towards the booking office. The first departure of the day, the 10:40, was waiting patiently in the platform with Pannier Tank No1638 at its head. With a few minutes still to spare, it gave us time to admire the loco.

I was very pleased to see the Pannier as I had sort of unfinished business with her in a way. Years ago she was booked to attend a gala at Shackerstone and I was rostered to fire her on one of the days. Sadly, she failed just before her visit and so we missed out on her. It was a pleasure to see her today, if a few years late! Built at Swindon in 1951, 1638 is the sole survivor of the once 70-strong 1600 Class. A true GWR design, these engines were actually built under Hawksworth as BR Western Region locos. With a 165psi boiler plumbed up to 16.5" cylinders, power output isn't far removed from the 6400 variant, with both types being a little more subtle than their stronger sisters of the 5700 Class. Looking beneath the tanks, the differences in slide bar and crosshead design are noticeable on this slightly younger Pannier...

As departure time neared, we opted to board the coaches. Ed: having saved some money with his HRA Pass: was feeling a little frivolous so we decided to pay the supplement for First Class on the 11.5-mile journey to Bodiam. The comfortable surroundings of this Southern region coach were very welcome as we enjoyed the sounds of 1638 hissing out of Tenterden. The trolley service was a pleasant addition to proceedings and a hot cuppa' was just what the doctor ordered...

The history of the KESR is a long and interesting one. It owes a lot to one Holman Fred Stephens who was brought in to engineer the line as a light railway. Essentially the railway was to be built on a budget and the track bed followed the lay of the land. Stations and buildings were constructed cheaply and in a minimalist fashion, as befitted the rural landscape the line passes through. Even today, the light railway aspect is evident with the varying gradients as the train chugs uphill and down dale. An early starter in preservation, the KESR was taken over by a charity in 1973 and since then has gone from strength to strength. Having descended the main bank on the line, we arrived at Rolvenden: home of the locomotive shed. Here we passed the KESR's tender engine: a Norwegian Mogul built in 1919...

The KESR travels through a lot of unspoilt countryside, with the train gently easing its way up and over the hills. 1638 was chugging along beautifully, with her crisp voice echoing through the trees as we enjoyed our tea. Soon enough, there was a short water stop at Northiam to replenish the 875-gallon tanks...

From Northiam, 1638 took us on another steady amble to reach the terminus of the preserved KESR at Bodiam. Passengers can break the journey here to visit the nearby Bodiam Castle, which dates back to 1385. The Pannier was uncoupled from the stock prior to running round in preparation for an 11:43 departure...

I like the lines of this engine. All of the typical Pannier features are there but she just looks a little more compact. It's a shame there's only one left...

Soon enough the engine was sitting pretty at the head of the returning service...

With a "Right Away" from the Guard, 1638 barked out of Bodiam right on time with her coaches in tow. I managed to catch a quick shot of the castle in the distance...

On the return run there was a pathing stop at Northiam and so 1638 sat simmering away happily to herself, staring at the closed crossing gates ahead...

I managed to catch the driver for a quick chat at Northiam. When he got talking it turned out he was, like myself, a bit of a Pannier fan. He'd been on Tyseley's own 7752 during her visit to the KESR some years ago and raved about the go anywhere durability of the 5700's. He explained that 1638 had recently returned to service following axlebox repairs as she had a tendency to run hot. Today she was in fine fettle and had no trouble pulling our train over the gradients. Leaving Northiam behind, it was interesting to listen to the 0-6-0 at work. She was really being worked properly, using the gradients to her advantage whether up or down, reducing the effort required. As the old saying goes: "momentum is your friend". At Rolvenden, the engine was halted just before the platform to take water again prior to the ascent of Tenterden bank...

1638 sets out from Rolvenden and onto the rising gradient...

After a very vocal climb back to Tenterden, 1638 came to rest at the end of the platform. What a very nice run with this plucky little Pannier...

Train ride completed, it was time for a spot of lunch. Well known destroyer of menus 'Eddie the Late' was primed and ready for a Three Course Challenge! However, with a pub meal booked for this evening, I managed to persuade him that a simple breakfast roll might be the safer option for now...

I think we were both impressed by the whole set-up of the KESR. The engine and coaches were tidy, the stations well maintained, staff smart and friendly, catering facilities up to scratch...you name it! It just has all the hallmarks of a well run organisation and, dare I say, business. The passenger loadings on a simple midweek service certainly seemed strong and there were plenty of people milling about the stations. In the main forecourt, a very smartly turned out Pullman car caught my eye as we made our way to the souvenir shop...

By now 1638 was back at the head of the train, feathering at the safety valves as the needle neared the red line. What a nice old gal'...

Wandering back across the level crossing, we waited to see 1638 depart on her 13:15 train before visiting the impressive railway museum...

When the time came, with barely a hiss, 1638 hauled the train gently backwards in the direction of Bodiam. With her vacuum pump ticking away, she gradually disappeared from view. After our look in the railway museum we ambled back towards the car to plan our next move...New Romney bound! What a very pleasant first visit to the KESR: a lovely little railway with nothing but good to offer. Cheers all, Sam...