kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge

The K&ESR's own stock was generally confined to that system. The preserved line currently runs from Tenterden Town station to Bodiam (within sight of the National Trust's Bodiam Castle), with an extra one mile (1.6km) of track to the Junction Road station site (though there are currently no plans to re-open for alighting). Built in 1848 by the London and South Western railway for. This was abandoned in 1899 as it was deemed too expensive to construct, and the South Eastern Railway again backed the Tenterden Railway, but no work was done and powers to construct the line lapsed in 1901.[4]. A short section has re opened from Robertsbridge Station to roughly half a mile round the corner near the A21 main road. When this extension fever was over, the K&ESR was established as a growing and mostly profitable concern. The Tenterden to Robertsbridge section survived until 1961 for freight. Plans for a heritage railway extension that would see Tenterden connected to the mainline have come to a temporary halt. Southern Railway No. Plan meals, try new foods and explore cuisines with tested recipes from the country's top chefs. An 1877-built six-wheel hand-operated crane and match truck were purchased c1919. A gala weekend in 2013 saw a steam passenger train operating at Robertsbridge for the first time since the early 1960s, running up to Northbridge Street. "These are to better understand what effect a level crossing, which would only operate during off-peak hours, would have on the A21.". Passenger traffic and the operation of the Headcorn extension ceased in 1953 and the railway closed completely in 1961. 10th May 2021. In the late 1990s, the company was almost bankrupted but avoided administration due to an error in the bank's loan agreement. . Scrapped in 1948. Body later used as a shed on a farm, where it survived until 1964. [9], By 1924, the section from Tenterden to Headcorn was operating at a loss. Purchased secondhand in 1932. It takes its name from the original name for what later became the Kent and East Sussex Railway, running from Robertsbridge through to Headcorn in Kent, via Tenterden. The decision was taken to shut down the passenger service and retain the goods service on the old Rother Valley section only. In Spring 2019 work began to prepare the former trackbed between Austen's Bridge and Junction Road for tracklaying, this work being substantially completed by the end of 2020. Purchased secondhand in 1906. In 1855, a proposed railway from Headcorn via Cranbrook to Tenterden failed to obtain its Act of Parliament. The extension was built and opened in 1905. Credit: Richard Crease/Alamy Live News. On 16th March, 1903 the existing Tenterden station was renamed Rolvenden and the line extended 1 miles to a new terminus at Tenterden Town. RVR has met with the three landowners and will continue to engage with them with a view to acquiring the original track bed by agreement.. The railway emphasises the Colonel Stephens connection as a major factor of its utilitarian heritage. The K&ESR acquired a horse-drawn van and two drays in 1916. At Tenterden visitors can explore the Colonel Stephens Museum, and at the other end of the line admire the castle ruins at Bodiam. Delivered to Rolvenden and used on the line before delivery to the East Kent Light Railway. In 1935, the K&ESR purchased a 2-ton Bedford LQ lorry, and another was purchased in 1936. kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge. The Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) refers to both an historical private railway company in Kent and East Sussex in England, as well as a heritage railway currently running on part of the route of the historical company. [10], In 1931, Colonel Stephens died, and the management of the K&ESR came under the control of William Henry Austen, who had been assistant and life-partner to Stephens for a number of years. kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge. Only the section from Tovil to Tovil Goods was ever built. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. In 1864, a proposed railway from Paddock Wood via Cranbrook and Tenterden to Hythe (the Weald of Kent Railway) also failed to obtain its Act of Parliament. In 1957, Drewry diesel locomotive 11220 was successfully trialled on the line, and it and 11223 were the regular locomotives for the final years of operation. THE KENT & EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY - transportsofdelight But the project has found support among Tenterden residents because of its potential to bring in visitors from London and boost tourism. Two compartments plus brake. The Rother Valley section would always show a favourable margin, however small, but losses on the Headcorn extension climbed to catastrophic levels which, even with the mainline subsidy, could not be sustained. ', End of the line:Those behind the current bid by the Rother Valley Railway, or RVR, argue it will attract an extra 50,000 visitors annually and add 4.1million a year to the local economy. Two compartment brake third. Rother Valley Railway - Wikipedia Extensions followed, notably to Wittersham Road in 1977 and Northiam in 1990; then to Bodiam in 2000, and an extra one mile (1.6km) extension to the site of Junction Road halt in 2011. The Rother Valley Railway's awaiting trains from Tenterden. [11] The whole line was relaid with 60 pounds per yard (29.8kg/m) rails in 1939. At both ends of our railway you have so many places to choose from to eat, drink and keep everyone entertained to create a memorable day out whether you are 3 or 93! The habitats that survive there are incredible. The Rother Valley Railway (RVR) is a heritage railway project based at Robertsbridge in East Sussex, England. These locomotives worked on the line between 1948 and 1961. In the hopping season special passenger trains commenced running to Northiam and continued at weekends for the three week season. Powers were obtained in 1882 to extend the line to Hawkhurst. . On 1 January 1948, the line became part of Southern Region of British Railways on nationalisation. They're spending a lot of money at the Robertsbridge end, renewing bridges, building a station and other buildings. Access to the current KESR is largely made by private car or coach, so the railway would help reduce traffic movements on local rural roads. In 1904, the Headcorn and Maidstone Junction Light Railway was authorised. The proposal to build this road was the major reason preventing the acquisition from British Railways of this section of the railway by the Tenterden Railway Company in the 1960s, and the railway land was subsequently sold off to local farmers. From 2009 to 2010 the RVR with help from K&ESR and volunteers were able to complete the 1 mile (1.6km) extension westwards from near Bodiam station, through Quarry Farm, to the B2244 (Junction Road). For the opening . It takes its name from the original name for what later became the Kent and East Sussex Railway, running from Robertsbridge through to Headcorn in Kent, via Tenterden. The use of compulsory purchase orders on farmland needed for the new track has even been branded The Great Robertsbridge Train Robbery by campaigners. Converted c1909 to a five compartment brake third. Only in the brief hop-picking season did the bustle return as the hop-pickers and their friends arrived from London for their annual invasion. The Kent and East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) refers to both a historical private railway company in Kent and East Sussex in England, as well as a heritage railway currently running on part of the route of the historical company. At the Eastern end RVR has rebuilt this section of the railway from Bodiam to Junction Road so KESR was able to start running passenger trains in 2011. The results of the delayed public inquiry (due to Covid-19) to extend the Rother Valley Railways route from between the national railway system at Robertsbridge, East Sussex, to the Kent & East Sussex Railways station at Bodiam on the original trackbed, is not now expected until 2022. In that year, the first of the locomotives hired from the Southern Railway arrived on the line, this was P Class No. 2684. Difficulties in raising capital caused delays. BBC's 1million star Zoe Ball, 52, lands big new payday for Abba show on ITV. Plans for the missing central part of the route are well advanced, despite being hampered by the A21 trunk road crossing the track bed, the need for some very expensive bridge works and the necessity to purchase the route from landowners. The next stage now is to seek the required Act of Parliament to secure the final go-ahead for construction of the missing two-mile link to begin. DS377, 32636, 32640, 32641, 32644, 32655, 32659, 32662, 32670 and 32678. With the help of a grant from the Railway Heritage Trust RVR acquired and removed the railway turntable from Hither Green depot in 2020, and following refurbishment this has recently been installed at Robertsbridge. In 1932, Austen was appointed Official Receiver for the line. Railway experience days are also offered. As early as April 1948 it was considered for closure but 'it was generally considered that [closure] would not be a good policy to adopt so soon after the nationalisation of the railways and would bring forth an outcry from the public. A proposal was promoted in 1900 to build a line from Robertsbridge to Pevensey, which was to be worked by the Rother Valley Railway. Built as a first class carriage. An application has been made for a Transport and Works Act order which would give statutory powers to rebuild and operate the line. kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge. Subscribe to Old Glory magazine today and receive your first 3 issues for just 5! Acquired from Hodson's Mill, Robertsbridge in 1972. In large part by pressure exerted by Stephens and his associates, it was decided to permit Light Railways and the K&ESR did so. By June 2012, this further extension was also completed. Could be used on either passenger or freight trains. A mile of new track has already been laid to the west of Bodiam station, to the site of the former Junction Road Halt. Headcorn was remodelled by the Southern Railway in 1930 to provide two through roads and the junction was then moved to the Tonbridge side of the station. Revealed: The top 10 fastest-growing destinations for UK pensioners retiring overseas. In 1900, the Kent & East Sussex railway was built from Tenterden to Robertsbridge giving access to the main line for the rural villages. Our Education Directory has everything you could possibly need! Components for Operation Pluto were conveyed along the line. Their extension by West_Stanley Fri Nov 23, 2012 4:20 am They're extending to their original terminus at Robertsbridge, about 4 miles away from their current one at Bodium. The plan is that K&ESR will operate this extended railway once completed, as its constitution provides. In 1904, a 4-wheel hand-operated crane was purchased from R Y Pickering and delivered numbered. The railway line from Rolvenden to Robertsbridge was opened in 1900. Trains first ran again on the Kent & East Sussex Railway on 3 February 1974 between Tenterden to Rolvenden, the line gradually being restored and extended in stages, reaching Wittersham Road in 1977, Northiam in 1990 and finally Bodiam on 2 April 2000, exactly 100 years to the day since the original opening of the line to passengers. They say it could put Robertsbridge, which dates to 1176 when a Cistercian abbey was founded, back on the map. It was released from government control in 1921, and 1,487 in compensation was paid. With the end of the War, the Transport Act 1947 took powers to acquire all railway undertakings and this spelt the end of the independent K&ESR and indeed its partial closure. Indeed in the provision of steam heating it was in advance of many main lines. In 1910 the decision was undertaken to upgrade the rolling stock to more comfortable steam-heated stock and obtain more locomotives. The line was an alternative supply route to the south coast, and relieved some of the pressure on Ashford. By the 1950s passengers were no longer carried on the line and . Correspondence with the Southern Railway in 1930 led to Sir Herbert Walker stating that there was no chance of the line making a profit, and that even if passenger services were withdrawn, it was doubtful whether the receipts from freight traffic would cover operating expenses. The railway track has been laid on nearly a third of the 3.5-mile route between Robertsbridge and Bodiam and a new Robertsbridge Junction station is being created, which has a five-coach capacity platform and sits adjacent to Network Rails mainline station. Owned by the Rother Valley Railway and/or the Kent and East Sussex Light Railway. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The RVR agreed to build and operate a line to Headcorn, in return for a financial guarantee to make up any losses. However, in 2011 this plan was dropped in favour of moving directly to a final layout suitable to handle the eventual traffic to and from Tenterden, with no interim railway operations. Posted by Chris Graham on 20th November 2021, The Rother Valley Railways awaiting trains from Tenterden. Purchased new in 1904, seated 32. Controversially the railway extension requires the compulsory purchase of land at two East Sussex farms Parsonage Farm at Robertsbridge owned by the Hoads and Moat Farm near Salehurst owned by the Ainslies, who have set up a Facebook page The Great Robertsbridge Train Robbery to oppose the expansion. The original Tenterden station, later renamed Rolvenden was some 2 miles (3.2km) from the town. Using a CPO to take someone's land for a heritage railway is immoral. The railway was authorised by its own Act of Parliament in 1896, but with the passing later that year of the Light Railways Act, the directors obtained permission to bring the RVR under that Act for construction and operating purposes. The remaining passenger traffic continued to drop and, most importantly, the profitable general merchandise traffic followed. kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge With the passing of the Light Railways Act 1896, a group of citizens of Tenterden, led by Sir Myles Fenton proposed a railway from Robertsbridge to Tenterdenthe Rother Valley Railway. In 1904, the Rother Valley Railway changed its name to the Kent & East Sussex Light Railway. Top March : 021 625 77 80 | Au Petit March : 021 601 12 96 | info@tpmshop.ch [2], The Ashford - Hastings line had originally been promoted to run via Headcorn and Tenterden, but the government preferred the more southerly route. Kent & East Sussex Railway - Tenterden - Northiam - Bodiam Welcome to the Kent & East Sussex Railway Train Services Sunday 19th March 2023 Give Mum the gift of time travel this Mothers' Day! Tenterden Town station is the main headquarters for the heritage railway, where a book and gift shop can be found, selling Thomas the Tank Engine gifts, the carriage and wagon department and a cafe that was once the Maidstone & District Motor Services bus station building from Maidstone, Kent. [1], By the mid 19th century, Tenterden was in the middle of a triangle of railway lines. . RECONSTRUCTING THE KENT & EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY FROM ROBERTSBRIDGE TO BODIAM The RVR Robertsbridge Junction Station site is OPEN Sundays from 10.00 to 16.00 You can get to us at Robertsbridge by main line railway. [4] Stephens attained the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army (TA) in 1916 and was subsequently known as Colonel Stephens. 1556. Kent and East Sussex Railway - Wikipedia Afternoon Tea, Lunch and Evening Dining trains, Treat mum to something special this Mothers Day. Kent & East Sussex Railway - Kent & East Sussex Railway Despite legally authorised extensions over much of the Kent Weald to Maidstone, Rye and Cranbrook, lack of capital meant that only an extension to Headcorn was to be built and opened in 1905. 51.5687N 0.2269W. Stationmaster Geoff is Tourism Superstar Award 2023 finalist! Several bridges need to be rebuilt between Northbridge Street and Junction Road, and three road crossings made, including the A21 Robertsbridge by-pass. Cruise-goers reveal their most terrifying incidents at sea - from watching a ferocious 'You'll be missed forever': Elizabeth Hurley and son Damian share heartfelt tribute to her late ex Shane 'I was a bit of a mess': Amanda Abbington reveals she considered suicide after split from ex Martin Freeman Matt Hancock discussed 'deploying' new virus variant to 'frighten the pants off everyone' as former Health 'So many dead. A wind pump was provided at the Headcorn end of the station. The Rother Valley Railway's public enquiry result about the planned route extension to Bodiam, in East Sussex, has been delayed yet again! Some are connected with local history and the railway whilst, as on other heritage lines, Thomas and Santa specials provide a commercial underpinning to the company's activities. The Kent and East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) refers to both a historical private railway company in Kent and East Sussex in England, as well as a heritage railway currently running on part of the route of the historical company. WordPress Designers and Developers in Kent. The K&ESR owned a number of non-rail vehicles, one of which survives today. (then known as the Rother Valley Railway) was opened in 1900 from Robertsbridge on the S.E.R. The proposed Order is applied for by Rother Valley Railway Limited (RVR), working in partnership with the Kent and East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) which operates an existing heritage railway between Tenterden and Bodiam. This page was last edited on 2 February 2023, at 16:12. The main reasons for a separate organisation were to allow K&ESR to remain focussed on its existing activities, to avoid placing that activity at any financial risk, and to enable the new project to proceed with its own dedicated management team. Nos. The first advertised passenger service over this section ran on the weekend of 19/20 March 2011, although services are currently restricted to occasional gala days only. Double-heading was prohibited between Rolvenden and Robertsbridge.[13]. Rother Valley Railway - History Ten years later it might be a very different story but before the Great War the K&ESR was seen as a progressive, and indeed model, light railway that served its community with distinction. The line closed the following day, apart from a short stretch at Robertsbridge serving Hodson's Flour Mill, which became a private siding. It's GRAYGATE! The railway was further extended to a junction with the SECR at Headcorn, opening on the 15 May 1905. Completion of the railway line between Bodiam and Robertsbridge Junction Station adjacent to the mainline railway will enable visitors to use the country's public transport system to access the Kent & East Sussex Railway and the attractions it serves. In summer 2011 work began at Robertsbridge to extend further eastwards to Northbridge Street, which entailed the rebuilding of five bridges. RVR applied to the Secretary of State for a Transport and Works Act Order on 19 April 2018. The Kent and East Sussex Railway is a preserved steam railway which makes for an excellent family day out. He said: "Although we have managed to satisfy many of the statutory consultees with regards any concerns they may have had about our proposals, Highways England and the Office of Rail and Road have requested additional studies be carried out. The final passenger train ran on 2 January 1954. Motive power was Terriers 32655 leading and 32678 at the rear. She has put up a poster protesting about proposed railway track extensions through her area, A train on the Kent and East Sussex Railway at Bodiam Station - part of the East Sussex Heritage Line, 'They are just big bullies who want their train set and don't seem to care what they have to do to get it. Rail mounted guns were stationed at Rolvenden and Wittersham. Purchased secondhand in 1901. Further wagons were hired from Hurst Nelson between 1911 and 1919. Formerly a model of its kind the K&ESR was now perceived as a run-down decrepit railway of the greatest charm. Supporters include Tom Lewis, the owner of Morghew Park Estate in Smallhythe Road, who described the heritage K&ESR line that already crosses his land as "a responsible and co-operative neighbour". Hire purchased in 1924 from Edmonds of Thetford. It was originally opened, in 1900, as the Rother Valley Railway, with its first stretch of line running from Robertsbridge to Tenterden (the station later being renamed Rolvenden). [5], The South Eastern Railway abandoned its plans to build the Cranbrook to Appledore line; the scheme was adopted by the Rother Valley Railway. In the 1924 book A Parcel of Kent by F J Harvey Darton, the railway described is clearly based on the Kent & East Sussex Railway. Rother Valley Railway chairman Gardner Crawley said the railway had requested that the hearing be delayed so it could gather more information on its impact on traffic. Rother District Council granted planning permission last year. Conceived as the Rother Valley Railway, it opened from Robertsbridge to Rolvenden station (then named Tenterden) in 1900 and subsequently on to Tenterden Town in 1903. Bekijk de beste plekken om te bezoeken in de regio en plan je volgende avontuur vandaag nog. RVR spokesman Mark Yonge said: This is a real red letter day and we are extremely pleased permission has now been granted. The controversial 7million scheme, led by rail enthusiasts backed by wealthy and anonymous benefactors, would restore what supporters call the 'missing link' in the Kent and East Sussex Railway, connecting it with the national network on the London to Hastings line. Only 10 Terriers remain; two of which are on static display. The battle was however lost; in 1913 105,000 passengers were carried; by 1919 the figure had dropped to 85,000; and to 68,000 in 1922. The railway has suffered from the legacy of Colonel Stephens's cheap and poor construction of the permanent way; thus the preserved railway has sought to update permanent way features, for instance by renewing culverts and embankments. [36] The Kent & East Sussex Railway is the subject of the poem Farmer's Train[37] by Hugh Bevan,[38] illustrated by Rowland Emett,[36] and published in Punch issue dated 3 June 1946. The work was overseen by Holman F Stephens, who was appointed general manager in 1899 and managing director in 1900. The railway also appears in the 1940 book Ember Lane by Sheila Kaye-Smith, where it is titled the Sussex Border Railway. "An extension to the Kent and East Sussex Steam Railway from Bodiam to Robertsbridge, along the route identified on the Proposals Map, will be supported, subject to a proposal meeting the following criteria: (i) it must not compromise the integrity of the floodplain and the flood protection measures at Robertsbridge; The K&ESR was the very . Three compartments plus brake. The line runs through a lightly populated area and was never well . Rother Valley Railway (RVR) says it is delighted that its application for restoration of the Northbridge Street to Junction Road section of the Robertsbridge to Bodiam Reconnection Project has been approved by Rother District Council (RDC). May have carried No. Preservation activities began immediately. It will serve Brent Cross and the northern parts of Cricklewood and Dollis Hill areas of north London. The line from Headcorn Junction was opened on 15th May1905 but the expansion programme had come to an end. Trying to find the right nursery, school, college, university or training provider in Kent or Medway? The South Eastern Railway opened its line from Ashford to Hastings on 13 February 1851. The end was in sight and traffic decline was now steep. Seleziona un'opzione qui sotto per avere indicazioni dettagliate e confrontare i prezzi del biglietto e i tempi di viaggio nel pianificatore di viaggio di Rome2rio. The Tenterden Railway Company is now known as The Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR), as of January 2004. With the increase in price for scrap metal during the war, most of the line's surplus stock was scrapped. In 1904 (officially on 1st June), the new title Kent and East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) was adopted, The railway had been an operational and commercial success, but it was probably fortunate that much of the wider network was not built. The section between Tenterden Town and Headcorn was largely paralleled by roads, and was open to competition from road transport. Situated at Tenterden is the Colonel Stephens Railway Museum. They are trying to prevent a heritage railway line being extended by two miles from Bodiam to Robertsbridge amid accusations of bullying and environmental vandalism. The RVR also owns a steam locomotive, Charwelton, which works on the K&ESR but is currently under overhaul at Rolvenden. However preservation as a Heritage Railway beckoned. In 1990, the railway had to remove 200 metres of embankment damaged by badgers. Became British Railways property on nationalisation. Mrs Ainslie said: 'It is purely the whim of an organisation of train enthusiasts who feel they have the right to take something for their own gratification. Supporters include Network Rail and the National Trust, which will gain a rail link to the 14th century moated Bodiam Castle. The comments below have not been moderated. Crucially, however, the two families whose farms would be crossed by the line do not want to sell their land to RVR. Since 1991, the Rother Valley Railway has been acquiring parts of the trackbed as and when possible. Hastings line to a temporary terminus, later named Rolvenden, near Tenterden. Purchased by the East Kent Light Railway in 1926. [14] This final section of the line closed on 1 January 1970. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Formerly a classic rural branch line, it has an interesting history and runs through stunning scenery. Purchased secondhand in 1901. Brent Cross West [3] is a railway station under construction on the Thameslink route on the Midland Main Line. The option was not exercised. The section from Headcorn to Appledore was authorised in 1892, and agreement was reached in 1896 with the South Eastern Railway over the operation of the line. The carriages were required for use in the filming of The Loves of Joanna Godden. Ex LSWR No 0127. Designed to serve rural villages, the railway opened in 1900 and originally ran between Robertsbridge and Tenterden. Sadly there have since been no other. Around 15 light railways were built, the Kent & East Sussex Railway being one of the most famous. All ticket stock was withdrawn and new tickets were printed, and the staffing of stations was increased. It was the 5:50 pm from Robertsbridge to Headcorn, composed of six corridor coaches which had been specially brought from Ashford for the occasion. He entered into negotiations with the Southern Railway aimed at disposing of worn out stock and obtaining serviceable replacements. RM E0YC0N - Robertsbridge Junction, the future terminus of the Kent and East Sussex Railway now being constructed at Robertsbridge station. Acquired in 1947. Rother Valley Railway - Objectives

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