The Great K&ESR Gala Weekend
3rd - 5th MAY

The timetable for all three days is available to view and download here.
Saturday 3rd - Sunday 4th - Monday 5th

Guest locomotives North Norfolk Railway’s N7 No 69621 and Bodmin & Wenford’s small Prairie No 5552 together with the K&ESR's own GWR Pannier tank 1638. Full details of the engines expected to operate on each day, and the workings are shown below and on the timetables.

On Saturday 3rd May there will be a 3 train service with 45 minute departures, with the first departure at 10.30am from Tenterden. Uniquely all 5 locos will run together formed up from Rolvenden arriving at Tenterden for a cavalcade at 9.45am.

The Prairie will haul a demonstration freight train from Rolvenden arriving at Tenterden just before 11am, which will then return to Wittersham at 11:25am behind the Pannier tank.

During the day, the engines will regularly change trains, and there will be double, and even triple headed trains running for parts of the journey!

For those staying for the whole weekend there is an exclusive steam hauled Fish & Chip Supper Train on Saturday night leaving Tenterden at 7.15pm. It is planned the Prairie will operate this. NOW FULLY BOOKED

For full details of the engine and coaching sets, and timing details of all the events for this day click here.

Sunday 4th May will have much more of a light railway feel, with a “mixed train” departing Tenterden at 9.45am behind Terrier No.3 Bodiam This train will be formed of a vintage coach and some newly restored wagons including the District Coach, and will obviously only have limited seating, so advanced booking is essential.

During the day there will be a 3 train service with 45 minute departures from Tenterden, and freight trains operating in different combinations. In addition to the 4 engines in steam, the recently restored diesel shunter D2023 will be in working one of the freight trains, and there will be shunting displays at Tenterden between trains.

For full details of the engine and coaching sets, and timing details of all the events for this day click here.

Most importantly on Monday 5th May K&ESR will run an intensive passenger service with 30 minute departures from Tenterden – something never before attempted on Britain’s finest rural light railway. Alternate trains terminate at Northiam which will be at its busiest since it ceased to be the railway’s terminus in 2000.

In addition to this passenger service, there will be demonstration engineer’s and freight trains running between Tenterden and Rolvenden, and a number of trains will have banking engines attached for the climb between Rolvenden and Tenterden, giving some of the greatest photographic opportunities ever on the K&ESR. The railway will also run a recreated “boat train” with Pullman carriage Theodora (complete with its own bar!) in addition to other combinations. There will be 7 engines in operation on this day, including both the visiting engines, the Pannier tank and Terrier No 3 “Bodiam”.

For full details of the engine and coaching sets, and timing details of all the events for this day click here.

Prices
Available on the day

Per Day	Adult £15	Senior £14	Child £10	Family (2+3) £35
Two Days	Adult £25	Senior £23	Child £15	Family £65
Three Days	Adult £ 35	Senior £32	Child £20	Family £95

Tenterden Refreshment Rooms open from 8:30am daily for breakfast
BBQ all weekend and some of the sets in operation will have an at seat trolley service on all days.

All planned events and engines are subject to avaliblity and whilst every effort will be made to run the advertised service, it may become necessary to substitute alternative engines or coaches in the event of failure.

Work is progressing apace on the K&ESR Birdcage. Unfortunately the vehicle will not be in service but wil be on display at Tenterden Station.