‘Time to step out into the light’ – rallying call by new KESR boss
THE newly-appointed general manager of the Kent & East Sussex Railway has issued a rallying call to members, staff, and volunteers, saying that the railway has“for far too long”been in the shadow of some of the bigger heritage lines and that it is“time to step out into the light.”
Robin Coombes was speaking after his appointment in succession to Shaun Dewey, who retired in July after seven years at the helm. He has brought with him more than 30 years of experience in the railway and heritage tourism sectors, latterly as company secretary for Tyseley-based Vintage Trains.
He started his career in the 1980s as a British Rail architect and project manager, following which he moved into marketing for a number of BR networks prior to joining the National Welsh Omnibus Co. His next move took him to international heritage tourism consultancy Eres, where one of his projects was a 50-year masterplan for the Welsh History Museum.
From there it was back to the railway industry in 2014 as independent review chairman of the West Somerset Railway Association, and a full-time PhD into governance and sustainability from 2016 saw him assisting the rail regulator Office of
Rail & Road, which adopted his ‘12 tablets for good governance.’
His most recent role has been as a research fellow working on two heritage rail projects, at Birmingham University for the reopening of the Jamaican state railway, and Northumbria University to establish the Heritage Rail Knowledge Network.
Describing his appointment, which he took up on August 15, as a “dream come true,” Robin told Heritage Railway: “To walk in the footsteps of one of the railway giants, Col Stephens, is a privilege and a great responsibility, and is a legacy I will be taking very seriously. The KESR, as the original light railway, holds a very special place in both railway and preservation history.
‘Untapped potential’
“I believe the KESR has untapped potential. It has for far too long been in the shadow of some of the bigger heritage railways.
“We may not be the longest or have the most visitors, but we can be the best-run, the most welcoming – the benchmark that others are measured against. It is time for the KESR to step out into the light.”
Of Colonel Holman F Stephens, dubbed the ‘King of light railways’, whose empire included the original KESR, Robin said: “I don’t think we will go far wrong by following the role model of Col Stephens. He was innovative, believed in audits and taut management, and was widely admired and respected by both staff and his peers.
“I am sure he would have embraced every modern management technique if it meant a better, more efficient and effective railway. He was not afraid of change, but not for change’s sake, and totally believed in the value of the light railway to help rural prosperity.
“The 21st century successor of the original light railway can have the same beneficial impact on the wellbeing of its people and the communities it serves.”
KESR chairman Simon Marsh said: “We are delighted that Robin has joined us and are excited what this means for the future of the railway. He comes with a wealth of experience in the heritage railway sector and more widely. I am confident he will successfully lead the KESR through all the challenges we face as a heritage operator and take us to the next level in our development.”