By end of 2013, the track had been laid from the newly built platform at Robertsbridge all the way to Northbridge Street over five newly rebuilt bridges, and during 2013 the first steam trains ran along this line since it was closed. Powers were obtained in 1882 to extend the line to Hawkhurst. 10th May 2021. Mixed trains continued to run, but were now provided with a brake van. Scrapped in the 1930s. At Robertsbridge, a separate railway preservation effort was set up by the Rother Valley Railway in 1990. This is a popular exhibit amongst children visiting the museum, many of whom delight in the collection of old railway magazines and timetables. The South Eastern Railway opened its line from Ashford to Hastings on 13 February 1851. The Southern Railway refused permission for some of the K&ESR carriages to be taken to Lydd in 1947 citing safety reasons. When this extension fever was over, the K&ESR was established as a growing and mostly profitable concern. This branch line closed to passenger traffic in 1954. The decision follows requests from Highways England and the Office of Road and Rail for additional traffic impact studies to be carried out into the effects of installing a crossing on the A21, at Northbridge Street, East Sussex, which would be needed to build the extension. Prince Harry interview RECAP: Duke of Sussex fans say his Q&A with Gabor Mate 'should have been longer' Do not sell or share my personal information. 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. 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. The line from Tenterden to Headcorn Junction opened to traffic on 15 May 1905. Purchased secondhand in 1932. Once that is secured we will be working towards a spring 2019 target date to finish the work.. 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). kelseymarketplace.co.uk . Railroad Company. 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". The Tenterden Railway Company is now known as The Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR), as of January 2004. Acquired in 1936. 1555 was loaned in 1947. The Rother Valley Railway was a standard gauge line from a junction at Robertsbridge in East Sussex, on the SE&CR's Tonbridge-Hastings line, to Tenterden, 12 miles away in Kent. The railway was reconnected to the Network Rail (NR) mainline in December 2016 to permit stock transfers, and use of the RVR by NR plant for training and other purposes; and the newly installed turntable can also be accessed. They're spending a lot of money at the Robertsbridge end, renewing bridges, building a station and other buildings. But opponents fear it will leave an 'ugly scar' on the landscape, harm wildlife habitats and destroy the area's tranquillity. The contract for the construction of the line was won by London and Scottish Contract Corporation, who sub-contracted the work to Godfrey and Siddelow. The K&ESR settled into a period of greater quietude, useful primarily to the farmers and small tradesmen in the locality, as well as those travellers who were not on a bus route. On 1 January 1948, the line became part of Southern Region of British Railways on nationalisation. [3], The Tenterden Railway was the next to be proposed, running from Maidstone to Hastings via Headcorn, Tenterden, and Appledore. The railway has cited improved public transport links from passengers on the main-line Charing Cross to Hastings route to access the heritage route to Tenterden, currently the largest town in Kent without a railway connected to the main line. The vote is open until 20 March so please give him your support: Welcome to the Kent & East Sussex Railway. 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 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. [8] The original junction at Headcorn was on the Ashford side of the station. This awaits a public inquiry.[22]. 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. Sold for scrap on 25 May 1944. The Light Railways Act 1896 allowed for cheaper construction methods in return for a speed restriction. Last edited on 21 February 2023, at 15:49, Learn how and when to remove this template message, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rother_Valley_Railway&oldid=1140748000, From 1988 until the early 1990s, another "Rother Valley Railway" had a brief existence on the site of, This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 15:49. In April 2021, Rother District Council granted planning permission for the installation of the turntable at the Robertsbridge site, a few hundred yards north of the platform and next to the planned loco shed. Scrapped in 1948. The railway line from Rolvenden to Robertsbridge was opened in 1900. Two compartment brake third. Components for Operation Pluto were conveyed along the line. Scrapped in 1948. Horse-drawn van and two drays. By the 1900s, the parish was a thriving community with shops, inns and in addition to agriculture had a number of industries including saw milling, flour . A separate railway preservation effort, the Rother Valley Railway, is restoring track at the western end between Robertsbridge Junction and Bodiam. Two landowners remain resistant to selling the necessary agricultural land for railway development, and the plans for a level crossing on the A21 in particular has caused local controversy. 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. The Rother Valley Railway (RVR) is a heritage railway project based at Robertsbridge in East Sussex, England. 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. On 16th March, 1903 the existing Tenterden station was renamed Rolvenden and the line extended 1 miles to a new terminus at Tenterden Town. May have carried No. Three compartment brake third. A Transport & Works Order is to be sought to enable statuary powers to cross roads, including the busy A21, and to operate the railway. To British Railways on nationalisation and remained in service on the line. The line was opened for freight between Robertsbridge and Rolvenden on 26 March 1900, and to passenger traffic on 2 April 1900. kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge. Converted c1909 to a five compartment brake third. By 2013, much of the new Robertsbridge layout was in place including new track and most of a new full-length station platform. 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. Assent was granted to construct the line under the Act. London transport portal. 1426 was loaned to the Kent & East Sussex Light Railway in 1943. Purchased secondhand in 1906. [2], The third part of the triangle was the line between Tonbridge and Hastings which had opened as far as Tunbridge Wells on 24 November 1846, Robertsbridge on 1 September 1851, Battle on 1 January 1852 and to St Leonards on 1 February 1852, running powers over the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway's line to Hastings having been negotiated. The work was overseen by Holman F Stephens, who was appointed general manager in 1899 and managing director in 1900. Purchased new in 1904, seated 46. Limited efforts to improve and integrate the K&ESR into the national system soon come to an end and the writing was on the wall for closure. The diminutive tank locomotives were designed to haul commuter trains on the already heavily congested lines in South and South-East London. The original Tenterden station, later renamed Rolvenden was some 2 miles (3.2km) from the town. Brighton works between 1872 and 1880. Bad floods probably delayed the opening of the line, which finally opened to goods traffic on 26th March and to passengers on 2nd April. Two first-class four-wheel carriages were purchased new in 1901 for the opening of the line. The railway runs between Tenterden Town and Bodiam. . BBC's 1million star Zoe Ball, 52, lands big new payday for Abba show on ITV. Owned by the Rother Valley Railway and/or the Kent & East Sussex Light Railway. The line opened to Goudhurst in 1892 and Hawkhurst in 1893. Around 15 light railways were built, the Kent & East Sussex Railway being one of the most famous. One probably carried a number between 11 and 14. 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. One embankment is still visible but is covered by mature oak and other trees. A proposal was promoted in 1900 to build a line from Robertsbridge to Pevensey, which was to be worked by the Rother Valley Railway. 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. ', 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. They claim the project is to allow 'rich men to play with their toys' and the threat of compulsory purchase orders, or CPOs, amounts to 'a land grab reminiscent of the Dark Ages'. A wind pump was provided just outside Headcorn Junction to supply water for the locomotives. 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. Purchased secondhand in 1906. The preservationists wanted to reopen the line through to Robertsbridge, but were refused permission by the then Transport Minister Barbara Castle to take over the section between Bodiam and Robertsbridge, despite taking the Minister to the High Court. [7], On the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the K&ESR came under government control, as did most railways at the time. The Kent & East Sussex Railway Preservation Society was formed in 1961 following closure of the line by British Railways. shop.kelsey.co.uk . There will be an end-on link with the Kent and East Sussex at Bodiam enabling through running. The order of scrapping of the locomotives was 7, 5, 6 (steam railcar), 1, 9, 2 and 8.[7]. Still in regular use in the 1930s. Southern Railway No 3334 loaned to the Kent & East Sussex Light Railway in 1938 when No 4 was sent to. 31048, 31064, 31065, 31370, 31390 and 31434, On 9 January 1929, the Ford railmotor was derailed at. 2655 was loaned from 1939 to 1945, 2678 was loaned in 1940. 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. [38], The grand cavalcade at Tenterden Town Station during a Steam Gala on the Kent and East Sussex Railway, For details and history of rolling stock on the line since preservation, see, Headcorn and Maidstone Junction Light Railway, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Rolling stock of the Kent & East Sussex Railway (heritage), https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/politics/application-seeks-phased-development-of-rother-valley-railway-3434807, "Miniature Locomotives and Large Exhibits", Kent and East Sussex Railway Co. Ltd. website, Video on Joost: Golden Age of Steam (episode 5) focussing on the heritage railway, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kent_and_East_Sussex_Railway&oldid=1137062740, London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LBSC), Purchased new in 1905. 'Few preserved railways would seem to offer better prospects for an increase in 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. Bekijk de beste plekken om te bezoeken in de regio en plan je volgende avontuur vandaag nog. The Rother Valley section continued for goods with one morning and one afternoon service. DS377, 32636, 32640, 32641, 32644, 32655, 32659, 32662, 32670 and 32678. RVR chairman Gardner Crawley, 74, said: 'There's a lot of very wealthy people in East Sussex but parts of it are very deprived and the big employer nowadays is tourism. A separate Company, the Rother Valley Railway (East Sussex) Ltd, was formed on 22 May 1991 with the approval of the Tenterden Railway Company to reconstruct the railway between Bodiam and Robertsbridge and has since simplified its name to Rother Valley Railway Ltd. Supplied new in 1901 for the opening of the line. This section was acquired by RVR, leaving just two stretches still to be acquired. The remaining landowners have additionally expressed concern and RVR fully appreciates that a railway crossing their farms represents some disruption. The line continued to be run as two sections. Three level crossings would be needed, including one on the busy A21 London to Hastings road. Supporters include Network Rail and the National Trust, which will gain a rail link to the 14th century moated Bodiam Castle. He entered into negotiations with the Southern Railway aimed at disposing of worn out stock and obtaining serviceable replacements. In 1932, Austen was appointed Official Receiver for the line. Stationmaster Geoff is Tourism Superstar Award 2023 finalist! Ministers in clash as farmers fear Britain will be flooded with cheap Mexican and Canadian meat Britain's Special Forces are banned from TikTok and other apps amid fears their accounts could be Mamma Mia! 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. Number 107 in the K&ESR stocklist. Later it was able to achieve charity status, and is led by the Rother Valley Railway Heritage Trust. RVR, which would pay 10 per cent above the market value of the land, is already building a heritage railway station opposite Robertsbridge mainline station and track has been laid for about half a mile towards the two farms. It sat for 19 days and concluded on 3 September 2021. It opened in 1900 and was extended to TenterdenTown station in 1903 (the original terminus was renamed Rolvenden), and through to a junction at Headcorn on the SE&CR . December 2016 saw the reconnection of the RVR to the Network Rail system some 50 years after closure. Southern Railway No. The work will be financed by private benefactors and RVR says independent studies have shown that the reinstatement of RVR will bring economic benefits in excess of 2m per year to the area. Scrapped in 1948. 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. Plans for a heritage railway extension that would see Tenterden connected to the mainline have come to a temporary halt. In 2010 a further 150yds of track bed was obtained and track was laid to the site of Junction Road Halt adjacent to the B2244 (formerly the A229). The planning approval is for the central two mile section of the railway to be restored, which has been granted despite concerns from some about level crossings and excessive parking in Robertsbridge. As with most heritage railways, the line has a number of paid employees to secure its continued operation and stages a variety of special events days to boost income. [2] A public inquiry took place in the summer of 2021, and the Secretary of State's decision on the order is expected to be given when the inquiry report has been submitted. In 1855, a proposed railway from Headcorn via Cranbrook to Tenterden failed to obtain its Act of Parliament. The final passenger train over the line before closure was a Locomotive Club of Great Britain railtour on 11 June 1961. We are continuing to try to protect this for future generations. With the increase in price for scrap metal during the war, most of the line's surplus stock was scrapped. Nos. The habitats that survive there are incredible. . The renamed Kent &. A 14-year-old autistic boy's naive prank. On12th March 1903 a contract to build the Headcorn and upgrade the Rother Valley line was signed, a wise upgrade to meet a successful increase in traffic. There are some problems of subsidence outside Rolvenden, which often requires speed restrictions to avoid further damage to the line's foundations. [2], The Ashford - Hastings line had originally been promoted to run via Headcorn and Tenterden, but the government preferred the more southerly route. The Rother Valley Railway's public enquiry result about the planned route extension to Bodiam, in East Sussex, has been delayed yet again! These locomotives worked on the line between 1948 and 1961. The application will then be decided by the Secretary of State. June 14, 2022; indigo child symbol Built by London and South Western Railway. [12], Upon nationalisation, one of the surviving two locomotives and all but the newest rolling stock were scrapped. 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. Contents 1 Historical company 1.1 Background 1.2 Opening and growth 1.3 Grouping and decline 1.4 British Railways Built as a first class carriage. Acquired in 1947. The Tenterden to Robertsbridge section survived until 1961 for freight. The extension was built and opened in 1905. Some of the original ten wagons were hired to the Shropshire & Montgomeryshire Light Railway between 1927 and 1929. Purchased secondhand in 1905. 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. The Great Robertsbridge Train Robbery: Families accuse railway line stealing their farm land for a 7million extension project using a compulsory purchase order allowing companies to buy. 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. There was occasional passenger traffic in the form of railtours. [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. Motive power was Terriers 32655 leading and 32678 at the rear. 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. Speed was to be limited to 15 miles per hour (24km/h), but under the terms of the Act was soon raised to 25 miles per hour (40km/h). We will be applying for final permission now from the Department of Transport which will require an Act of Parliament. 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. Operated under contract by William Hook & Son until the firm ceased trading in 1916. For a money-saving subscription to Old Glory magazine, simply click here, Kelsey Media Ltd, The Granary, Downs Court, Yalding Hil, Yalding, Kent, ME18 6AL www.kelsey.co.uk . The reason for this refusal was the Ministry plan to build a by-pass to take the A21 around Robertsbridge. What's for dinner? (Pic: Colin Tyson) In 1906, the K&ESR purchased a Great Western Railway. Fitted with flanged wheels and tested on the Kent & East Sussex Railway. However, due to difficulties in obtaining the necessary Light Railway (Transfer) Order, it was 1974 before the line partially reopened as a heritage steam railway between Tenterden and Rolvenden. The Inquiry has now closed and the Inspector is writing up his . This line would have run from Headcorn via Sutton Valence to Tovil, where running powers over part of the Medway Valley Line would have allowed access to Maidstone. Purchased by the East Kent Light Railway in 1926. K&ESR locomotives have made visits to the CFBS. In addition are a number of other wagons and carriages undergoing or awaiting restoration. Subscribe to Old Glory magazine today and receive your first 3 issues for just 5! The comments below have not been moderated. A scuffed copy of the Koran. 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). This is approximately a .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}2+12 miles (4.0km) long section. By the 1950s passengers were no longer carried on the line and . Liaison continues with the relevant authorities. Next Trains Mothering Sunday - 19-Mar-23 Treat mum to something special this Mothers Day 20 for 20 Appeal This page was last edited on 2 February 2023, at 16:12. RM E0YC0N - Robertsbridge Junction, the future terminus of the Kent and East Sussex Railway now being constructed at Robertsbridge station. 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! 1556 was loaned to the Kent & East Sussex Light Railway from 1938 to 1938, No. Built by the London and South Western Railway in 1892 as No. Designed to serve rural villages, the railway opened in 1900 and originally ran between Robertsbridge and Tenterden. The remaining passenger traffic continued to drop and, most importantly, the profitable general merchandise traffic followed. Trying to find the right nursery, school, college, university or training provider in Kent or Medway? To compete for passengers Stephens then brought in some railmoters to supplement the existing somewhat minimalist steam services established during the Great War. Revealed: The top 10 fastest-growing destinations for UK pensioners retiring overseas. The Kent & East Sussex Railway are proud to be the home for two of these historic locomotives; Bodiam, was . This was the quintessential Stephens' light railway and was always the heart of his empire. Heady ideas of commanding enough finance to build lines to Rye, Cranbrook and Pevensey, all authorised over 1898-1900, together with Maidstone in 1905-06, faded. Owned by the Rother Valley Railway and/or the Kent and East Sussex Light Railway. Four cattle wagons were purchased in 1904, and another was purchased in 1928. Acquired from Hodson's Mill, Robertsbridge in 1972. The lukewarm reception was partly because of the distance of the station from the town, and partly due to fears that the opening of the light railway from Robertsbridge would prevent a more heavily engineered line being built from Headcorn. The second-hand replacement stock obtained was at the time superior to virtually everything available on most rural branch lines. Many representations for and against the scheme were submitted, and in June the Secretary of State for Transport announced that a public local inquiry would be held. 78 schoolchildren, along with Sir Myles Fenton, Holman F Stephens, and other dignitaries. Further wagons were hired from Hurst Nelson between 1911 and 1919. [17], Tickets were usually issued on the trains, although the K&ESR did not acquire any corridor carriages until 1944. [15], The Kent & East Sussex Light Railway was operated as two separate sections, Robertsbridge - Tenterden Town and Tenterden Town - Headcorn. May have carried No. However preservation as a Heritage Railway beckoned. Sold in 1909 to the Woolmer Instructional Military Railway, where it lasted until 1940. However the world was in rapid change as ex-army motor lorries and buses flooded the transport market. The Rother Valley Railway (RVR) is a heritage railway project based at Robertsbridge in East Sussex, England. 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. The RVR also owns a steam locomotive, Charwelton, which works on the K&ESR but is currently under overhaul at Rolvenden. Still in regular use in the 1930s. 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. Only the section from Tovil to Tovil Goods was ever built. The Rother Valley Railway proposes to restore the missing rail link between Bodiam and Robertsbridge. Purchased secondhand in 1901. The East Sussex Light Railway was authorised in 1901. To British Railways on nationalisation and remained in service on the line. 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. The South Eastern and Chatham Railway agreed to make up any operating losses in exchange for an option to purchase the line at any time within the next 21 years from the date of opening. The railway was further extended to a junction with the SECR at Headcorn, opening on the 15 May 1905. Rail mounted guns were stationed at Rolvenden and Wittersham. That was not accompanied by an increase in passengers, and regular passenger services ceased. Themed events are run through the year. A wind pump was provided at Robertsbridge to supply water for locomotives. Wagons. Formerly a classic rural branch line, it has an interesting history and runs through stunning scenery. In 1904, a 4-wheel hand-operated crane was purchased from R Y Pickering and delivered numbered.