Latest News 2008/2009
East Kent Railway Trust Press Release-- April 23rd 2008.
EAST KENT RAILWAY
SECURES BRIGHT FUTURE
The East Kent Railway are delighted to announce the successful acquisition of two key land purchases. The Charitable Trust which has been running regular passenger services between its headquarters at Shepherdswell to Eythorne since 1995 faced the prospect of woodland adjacent to its Shepherdswell site known as 'The Knees' being sold off for development by British Rail property board, with access rights granted across its land. Not only would this have severely hampered railway operations but it could also have led to the destruction of the woods designated as being of Nature Conservation Interest. A fund was started in January of this year to try and raise the £42,000 needed within a deadline of only 8 weeks. Due to the immense generosity and dedication of it's members and some outside beneficiaries the railway managed to raise the funds and became the proud owners in April. It is hoped to preserve the woodland and utilise a small section of grassland to rebuild the Carriage and Loco Works that once stood there in the railway's heyday from the 1920's to 1948 when passenger services were axed following Nationalisation. At the same time the railway was also able to secure outright ownership of it's entire trackbed from Shepherdswell up to Wigmore Lane via Eythorne relieving it from lease payments which can now be ploughed back into improving facilities for visitors.
The East Kent Railway is the largest remaining part of the Kent Coalfields network, once such a crucial industry for this county and once served collieries at Tilmanstone, Coldred, Woodnesborough and Wingham. The organisation is run entirely by volunteers and a friendly welcome is extended to all who visit with many special events scheduled throughout the year catering for all the family.
The Railway is also the subject of a half hour TV Programme as part of the 'Along These Lines' series which will be shown on Meridian on Sunday 18th May at 17:15. The informative programme will include present day operations, interviews with former railway workers and miners and a look at the remnants of the line that once ran as far as Wingham and Richborough Port.
May 15th 2008
The East Kent Railway receive a great write up in the KM Gazette regarding the Knees purchase, full details of the article available by clicking the button below.
May 17th 2008
A very buoyant and enthusiastic AGM is held at Shepherdswell Village Hall with good news prevailing. Brendan Gash and Nick Anthony are re-elected unanimously in their respective posts of Treasurer and Membership Secretary. Anthony Larkins becomes Estate Manager, Ken Catt becomes Loco Engineer and Ron Norris is elected to the committee as the new Permanent Way Manager. Congratulations to them all for their sterling work and dedication.
May 18th 2008
The railway is screened on Meridian TV at 17:45 as part of the Along These Lines series. As well as showing Train rides from Shepherdswell to Eythorne Station the programme visits disused sites on the old EKR such as the site of Eastry South, Eastry and Wingham Canterbury Road. Alfred Minter a founder member of the East Kent Light Railway Society and Ray Flowers a former employee on the line in the 1940s are both interviewed for their interesting recollections of operations as they were and the importance of the Kent Coalfields.
--------------------------------------------------------------
New batteries are fitted to 'Snowdown', the Fowler 0-4-0 DM shunter owned by Anthony Larkins and it once again fires into life. This great engine built in Leeds in 1952 once worked the yards at the nearby Snowdown Colliery and will make an invaluable asset to shunting duties required at Shepherdswell.Snowdown is pictured below
August 13th 2008
A few bulletpoint updates covering the last few months
-Trench now dug at Eythorne station in readiness for running water /waste disposal for new toilet wagon venture. New ground taps for running water installed
-New container arrives at Shepherdswell and positioned onto concrete plinth
-Toilet wagon freshly painted inside , work continues on rubbing down and re-painting outside
-Shepherdswell platform benches freshly re-painted and looking smart
-Flower beds on Shepherdswell station site mostly de-weeded and re-planted with attractive hardy shrubs
December 2008
The toilet wagon project has been completed thanks to a superb effort by a group of our volunteers who finished just in time for our Santa By Train flagship event.The wagon looking respendant inside and out now sits proudly at it's new home at Eythorne Station providing disabled and baby changing facilities and for the first time in EKR history there is now hot and cold running water at Eythorne. Full details can be found on the current projects page.Shown below is the wagon during the Santa event.
April 2009
The operating season begins with four day record breaking easter special event followed by a very successful first ever Model Engineering weekend setting the precedent for what is sure to be a regular annual event
May 2009
A dedicated group of volunteers including Neil Jackson and Rob Hopkins oversee the successful transfer of a large quantity of rails from the former Betteshanger Colliery Site to the EKR and loaded onto the newly converted railcar.These rails will form new sidings and mark phase 1 of the Engine Shed re-build project.
Jeff White gives an excellent interview on BBC Radio Kent promoting the railway through its varied range of rolling stock and special events throughout the year.Invaluable publicity - well done Jeff
East Kent Railway
Registered Charity No. 1095790
Station Road, Shepherdswell, Dover, Kent, CT15 7PD
