On the 11th and 12th September, visitors to Bodiam station can enjoy a whole weekend of "opping nostalgia" as the Kent & East Sussex Railway hosts its tenth annual Hop Pickers Weekend. The event is open from 10.30am to 6:00pm each day. Saturday's evening entertainment is free to enter and the beer tent and BBQ will be open.
The Kent & East Sussex Railway in Tenterden has launched an appeal to raise £200,000 to double the capacity of its main carriage maintenance building at Tenterden station. The expansion is needed to provide sufficient high quality trains to operate the current train time table which currently carries 90,000 passengers annually.
From 14 to 16 September 2010 anyone over 60 years of age can enjoy a great value day out when they visit The Kent & East Sussex Railway, as all Senior Rover tickets will cost just £7.50 each! (Usually £11.80). Visitors can enjoy a 21-mile nostalgic steam train ride in beautifully restored carriages on a journey through picturesque countryside between Tenterden and Bodiam Stations.
We need to raise £35,000 to restore the van in time for the National Service of Remembrance on 11 November 2010. The ‘Cavell Van’, built in 1919, is important in the railway preservation movement for being the prototype of a class of vans used for mail and luggage on express passenger trains from the 1920s.
Our Photo Album contains 100's of images taken by Lewis Brockway in several collections including our Steam & Diesel Gala's, 1940's & 70's weekends and Thomas & Friends 65th Anniversary. We also have a Volunteers Photo Album available for viewing from the main menu link.
Now available - Kent and East Sussex Railway on Parade 2002-2009. All the events on the railway between 2002 and 2009 are recalled on this 90 minute DVD. Features galas, visiting engines, events, behind the scenes and much more. £13.00 inc VAT, Click on the title to purchase online.
Visit our Online Store where you can purchase a large selection of items, Badged Kent & East Sussex Railway Polo Shirts and Fleeces, Publications, Special Event tickets, Driver Experience Days and become a member of the railway.
British Railways did not clear this site probably because there were still hop-pickers' and other special passenger trains coming to this station until nearly the line's closure. Fortunately Northiam and Bodiam are therefore still blessed with their original and characteristic Stephens station Buildings.
A second station Building matching the style of the original was built on the platform to house essential modern toilets during the 10 years whilst the station was the end of the line. The station building itself looks very much as it always did with a pot-bellied stove to keep passengers warm but the goods office has been altered a very useful buffet for passengers joining from the adjacent main A28 road or even passing by. With extension to Bodiam the buildings still serve park and ride passengers for Bodiam and Tenterden and the old down side platform was also brought back into use after a generation of disuse.
Also at Northiam and tucked away across the present car park, formerly the goods yard are two original Station Bungalows. These characteristic buildings were used for staff accomodation and are now used as a work base for our building heritage maintainance volunteers ( known as the 'Tuesday Group')
The signal box is a modern building but characteristic of a rural branch line in steam days.
No trains running today, we next run this weekend with our Red Service for Hoppers Weekend, 5 steam departures each day. First train (steam) leaves Tenterden at 10.40.
Next Special Event
Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 September
Visitors to Bodiam station can enjoy a whole weekend of "opping nostalgia" as the Kent & East Sussex Railway hosts its tenth annual Hop Pickers Weekend. More info
Monthly Competition
WIN FREE Tickets for the K&ESR
August WINNER .... Mrs Harwood from Sidcup - Congratulations!
British Railways did not clear this site probably because there were still hop-pickers' and other special passenger trains coming to this station until nearly the line's closure. Fortunately Northiam and Bodiam are therefore still blessed with their original and characteristic Stephens station Buildings.
Also at Northiam and tucked away across the present car park, formerly the goods yard are two original Station Bungalows. These characteristic buildings were used for staff accomodation and are now used as a work base for our building heritage maintainance volunteers ( known as the 'Tuesday Group')