Two heritage line halfcenturies to be celebrated
East Somerset, and Kent & East Sussex railways to mark milestones this year.
A DIESEL gala is to kick off a series of events this year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) as a heritage line.
Returning after a 14-year absence, the classic traction event is due to be held on April 12-14 and is set to feature Class 33/2 No. 33202 and Class 14
No. D9504, as well as several special guest arrivals – details of which will be announced shortly.
A steam gala is planned to be held on June 1/2, which is expected to include a visiting loco, the identity of which remains to be confirmed. There will also be opportunities to go behind the scenes, among other attractions.
Sunday, February 3 marked the actual anniversary of when passenger services restarted on the heritage line, beginning at Tenterden and finishing one mile the other side of Rolvenden – the first section of line to be reopened at that stage. The official reopening ceremony was conducted at Tenterden Town Station on June 1 by the Rt Hon William Deedes, the then MP for Ashford who subsequently became Lord Deedes.
The first passenger service that day in 1974 was worked by GWR diesel railcar No. W20W, currently in the final stages of its major restoration. A date for the iconic railcar to re-create that journey will be announced in due course.
Meanwhile, the East
Somerset Railway’s (ESR) March 16/17 50th Anniversary Gala is set to pay homage to the line’s roots in the David Shepherd era, by welcoming a high-profile steam loco.
No. 6880 Betton Grange, the latest steam loco to enter traffic in Britain is expected to star in the event. No. 6880 is set to operate alongside the ESR’s home fleet of GWR ‘Large Prairie’ No. 4110, BR Ivatt ‘2MT’ 2-6-0
No. 46447 and Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST No. 1719 Lady Nan.