Correspondence with the Southern Railway in 1930 led to Sir Herbert Walker stating that there was no chance of the line making a profit, and that even if passenger services were withdrawn, it was doubtful whether the receipts from freight traffic would cover operating expenses. In 1904, the Rother Valley Railway changed its name to the Kent & East Sussex Light Railway. The Inspector will submit a report to the Secretary of State, with recommendations. In 1898, the proposal was abandoned in favour of extending the Cranbrook and Paddock Wood railway to Tenterden and Appledore. Purchased secondhand in 1906. Used at the opening of the East Kent Light Railway in 1912 and inaugurated passenger services on that line in 1916. The railway was further extended to a junction with the SECR at Headcorn, opening on the 15 May 1905. The controversial 7million scheme, led by rail enthusiasts backed by wealthy and anonymous benefactors, would restore what supporters call the 'missing link' in the Kent and East Sussex Railway, connecting it with the national network on the London to Hastings line. One embankment is still visible but is covered by mature oak and other trees. Passenger traffic and the operation of the Headcorn extension ceased in 1953 and the railway closed completely in 1961. A pair of railcars. Ten open wagons were purchased new from Hurst Nelson. Emma Ainslie, 45, and her husband Alexander, 45, who own Moat Farm in Robertsbridge in East Sussex, Rother District Council granted planning permission last year but, crucially, the two families whose farms would be crossed by the line do not want to sell their land to RVR. .mw-parser-output .RMbox{box-shadow:0 2px 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,.14),0 1px 5px 0 rgba(0,0,0,.12),0 3px 1px -2px rgba(0,0,0,.2)}.mw-parser-output .RMinline{float:none;width:100%;margin:0;border:none}.mw-parser-output table.routemap{padding:0;border:0;border-collapse:collapse;background:transparent;white-space:nowrap;line-height:1.2;margin:auto}.mw-parser-output table.routemap .RMcollapse{margin:0;border-collapse:collapse;vertical-align:middle}.mw-parser-output table.routemap .RMreplace{margin:0;border-collapse:collapse;vertical-align:middle;position:absolute;bottom:0}.mw-parser-output table.routemap .RMsi{display:inline;font-size:90%}.mw-parser-output table.routemap .RMl1{padding:0 3px;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output table.routemap .RMr1{padding:0 3px;text-align:right}.mw-parser-output table.routemap .RMl{text-align:right}.mw-parser-output table.routemap .RMr{text-align:left}.mw-parser-output table.routemap .RMl4{padding:0 3px 0 0;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output table.routemap .RMr4{padding:0 0 0 3px;text-align:right}.mw-parser-output table.routemap>tbody>tr{line-height:1}.mw-parser-output table.routemap>tbody>tr>td,.mw-parser-output table.RMcollapse>tbody>tr>td,.mw-parser-output table.RMreplace>tbody>tr>td{padding:0;width:auto;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .RMir>div{display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle;padding:0;height:20px;min-height:20px}.mw-parser-output .RMir img{height:initial!important;max-width:initial!important}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMov{position:relative}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMov .RMic,.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMov .RMtx{position:absolute;left:0;top:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMtx{line-height:20px;height:20px;min-height:20px;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMsp{height:20px;min-height:20px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMtx>abbr,.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMtx>div{line-height:.975;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMts{font-size:90%;transform:scaleX(.89)}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMf_{height:5px;min-height:5px;width:20px;min-width:20px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMfm{height:100%;min-height:100%;width:4px;min-width:4px;margin:0 auto}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMo{width:2.5px;min-width:2.5px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMc{width:5px;min-width:5px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMoc{width:7.5px;min-width:7.5px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMd{width:10px;min-width:10px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMod{width:12.5px;min-width:12.5px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMcd{width:15px;min-width:15px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMocd{width:17.5px;min-width:17.5px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_{width:20px;min-width:20px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_o{width:22.5px;min-width:22.5px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_c{width:25px;min-width:25px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_oc{width:27.5px;min-width:27.5px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_d{width:30px;min-width:30px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_od{width:32.5px;min-width:32.5px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_cd{width:35px;min-width:35px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_ocd{width:37.5px;min-width:37.5px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMb{width:40px;min-width:40px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMcb{width:45px;min-width:45px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMdb{width:50px;min-width:50px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMcdb{width:55px;min-width:55px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_b{width:60px;min-width:60px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_cb{width:65px;min-width:65px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_db{width:70px;min-width:70px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_cdb{width:75px;min-width:75px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMs{width:80px;min-width:80px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMds{width:90px;min-width:90px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_s{width:100px;min-width:100px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_ds{width:110px;min-width:110px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMbs{width:120px;min-width:120px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMdbs{width:130px;min-width:130px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_bs{width:140px;min-width:140px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_dbs{width:150px;min-width:150px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMw{width:160px;min-width:160px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_w{width:180px;min-width:180px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMbw{width:200px;min-width:200px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_bw{width:220px;min-width:220px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMsw{width:240px;min-width:240px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_sw{width:260px;min-width:260px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMbsw{width:280px;min-width:280px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_bsw{width:300px;min-width:300px}. Although the Rother Valley Railway and the Kent & East Sussex Light Railway originally ran separate passenger and freight trains, by the 1920s mixed trains were the norm. In 1932, Austen was appointed Official Receiver for the line. The Kent and East Sussex Railway refers to both a historical private railway company in Kent and East Sussex in England, as well as a heritage railway currently running on part of the route of the historical company. The route from Tenterden to Bodiam is 10.5 miles. 51.5687N 0.2269W. The Rother Valley Railway (RVR) is a heritage railway project based at Robertsbridge in East Sussex, England. The passenger railway finally came to an end on Saturday 2nd January 1954. The name of the railway was changed in 1904 to the Kent & East Sussex Light Railway. With the end of the War, the Transport Act 1947 took powers to acquire all railway undertakings and this spelt the end of the independent K&ESR and indeed its partial closure. kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge. Scrapped in 1941. Acquired in 1936. The Great Robertsbridge Train Robbery: Families accuse railway line stealing their farm land for a 7million extension project using a compulsory purchase order allowing companies to buy. The Rother Valley Railway's public enquiry result about the planned route extension to Bodiam, in East Sussex, has been delayed yet again! [15], The Kent & East Sussex Light Railway was operated as two separate sections, Robertsbridge - Tenterden Town and Tenterden Town - Headcorn. The railway went into by receivership in 1932. It supplied a water tower located at the Robertsbridge end of the station. The extension to Tenterden Town opened on 15 April 1903. But the project has found support among Tenterden residents because of its potential to bring in visitors from London and boost tourism. Further wagons were hired from Hurst Nelson between 1911 and 1919. REVEALED: Huge sonic boom felt by thousands across the country was caused by RAF Typhoon jets scrambling to DR ELLIE CANNON: My breast has not got lumps but it's itchy, should I be concerned about cancer at age 72? In the late 1990s, the company was almost bankrupted but avoided administration due to an error in the bank's loan agreement. Alexander and Emma Ainslie, both 45, run 220-acre Moat Farm. The South Eastern Railway had opened its line from Redhill to Tonbridge on 12 July 1841. The Inquiry has now closed and the Inspector is writing up his . (Pic: Colin Tyson) [5], The South Eastern Railway abandoned its plans to build the Cranbrook to Appledore line; the scheme was adopted by the Rother Valley Railway. A wind pump was provided at the Headcorn end of the station. This is a popular exhibit amongst children visiting the museum, many of whom delight in the collection of old railway magazines and timetables. Liaison continues with the relevant authorities. Still in regular use in the 1930s. Ex LSWR No 0127. Toxic trauma expert Gabor Mate diagnoses Prince Harry with attention deficit disorder but tells him it CAN 'I felt different to the rest of my family - and my mum felt the same': Prince Harry opens up on his 'broken 'He's completely beige drained of all his feisty ginger life-blood': JULIE BURCHILL'S verdict on Prince Ukraine to get 'double' the number of Challenger 2 tanks than Britain originally promised 'as a result of Pippa Middleton's father-in-law, 79, faces fresh probe by child protection unit in Paris - five years after Harry and Meghan to be mocked on Channel 4's The Windsors: One-off special of sitcom will poke fun at the Camilla to appear on Antiques Roadshow: Queen Consort will show off priceless silver snuff box made for one Hollywood's love affair with the new non-binary Brit Pack: After MeToo sex scandals, Tinseltown is desperate Commuters face biggest rail fare rise for a decade from TODAY - just as the network faces being paralysed by Why superfood fans are all going nuts for pistachios: Eco-friendly snack is rich in protein, fibre and Paris Hilton reveals in new memoir how she was drugged before enduring sexual abuse at 'tough love' boarding Pork wars! At both ends of our railway you have so many places to choose from to eat, drink and keep everyone entertained to create a memorable day out whether you are 3 or 93! (Pic: Colin Tyson). Originally numbered, Built as a Wolseley Siddeley motor car. Future developments are to include a carriage shed, loco shed and completion of the station building. Sold in 1909 to the Woolmer Instructional Military Railway, where it lasted until 1940. A month passed before 32678 was recovered. Ministers in clash as farmers fear Britain will be flooded with cheap Mexican and Canadian meat Britain's Special Forces are banned from TikTok and other apps amid fears their accounts could be Mamma Mia! The reason for this refusal was the Ministry plan to build a by-pass to take the A21 around Robertsbridge. In that year, the first of the locomotives hired from the Southern Railway arrived on the line, this was P Class No. Once that is achieved money is in place to start the work and if everything progresses to plan the entire 14-mile route from Tenterden to Robertsbridge could be up and running in two years time. Serving a deeply rural area it was initially profitable but suffered severe road competition from the early 1920s. The two Terriers then ran back to Robertsbridge with a carriage between them to reduce the weight on the bridges. Several bridges need to be rebuilt between Northbridge Street and Junction Road, and three road crossings made, including the A21 Robertsbridge by-pass. The diminutive tank locomotives were designed to haul commuter trains on the already heavily congested lines in South and South-East London. Purchased secondhand in 1901. The use of compulsory purchase orders on farmland needed for the new track has even been branded The Great Robertsbridge Train Robbery by campaigners. A 14-year-old autistic boy's naive prank. [4] Stephens attained the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army (TA) in 1916 and was subsequently known as Colonel Stephens. kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge. At the Robertsbridge end of the line, RVR has purchased further land since 2006 and the reconnection between Rother Valley Railway and the Network Rail main line was formally opened by Sir Peter Hendy, chairman of Network Rail in December 2016. Three compartments plus brake. A Transport & Works Order is to be sought to enable statuary powers to cross roads, including the busy A21, and to operate the railway. In 1904, the Headcorn and Maidstone Junction Light Railway was authorised. Some of the original ten wagons were hired to the Shropshire & Montgomeryshire Light Railway between 1927 and 1929. However preservation as a Heritage Railway beckoned. Situated at Tenterden is the Colonel Stephens Railway Museum. We are continuing to try to protect this for future generations. The railway runs between Tenterden Town and Bodiam. Using a CPO to take someone's land for a heritage railway is immoral. The Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) refers to both an historical private railway company in Kent and East Sussex in England, as well as a heritage railway currently running on part of the route of the historical company. The latter section was lifted and became abandoned in the mid 1970s. Mr Crawley added: "We are happy to carry out these additional studies and look forward to reassuring these consultees that it will be possible to reinstate the full length of the railway between Tenterden and Robertsbridge, with all the benefits that would bring, without any unduly adverse effects.". There has been some resistance from two landowners with regard to the proposed reinstatement, while the third missing section of route adjoining Junction Road has now been acquired by RVR Ltd and made ready for tracklaying. In September 2013, a Gala weekend at Robertsbridge marked the progress to date and the start of the next phase - the re-instatement of the section between Northbridge Street and Junction Road, for which statutory permissions are being sought. Scrapped in 1948. Operated under contract by William Hook & Son until the firm ceased trading in 1916. The order of scrapping of the locomotives was 7, 5, 6 (steam railcar), 1, 9, 2 and 8.[7]. The K&ESR settled into a period of greater quietude, useful primarily to the farmers and small tradesmen in the locality, as well as those travellers who were not on a bus route. Double-heading was prohibited between Rolvenden and Robertsbridge.[13]. The decision follows requests from Highways England and the Office of Road and Rail for additional traffic impact studies to be carried out into the effects of installing a crossing on the A21, at Northbridge Street, East Sussex, which would be needed to build the extension. The initial plan was to work towards operating brake van rides on the site, but progress was slow due mainly to lack of funds. The line opened to Goudhurst in 1892 and Hawkhurst in 1893. Of wandelen of fietsen je ding is, Salehurst and Robertsbridge is een regio waar 20 verborgen pareltjes op je staan te wachten. By the 1900s, the parish was a thriving community with shops, inns and in addition to agriculture had a number of industries including saw milling, flour . K&ESR focussed efforts on the eastern end of the line. The railway also appears in the 1940 book Ember Lane by Sheila Kaye-Smith, where it is titled the Sussex Border Railway. The battle was however lost; in 1913 105,000 passengers were carried; by 1919 the figure had dropped to 85,000; and to 68,000 in 1922. The extension to Headcorn had been built with heavier rails than the Robertsbridge - Rolvenden section, and thus had a higher axle loading allowing the use of heavier locomotives. What's for dinner? Controversially the railway extension requires the compulsory purchase of land at two East Sussex farms Parsonage Farm at Robertsbridge owned by the Hoads and Moat Farm near Salehurst owned by the Ainslies, who have set up a Facebook page The Great Robertsbridge Train Robbery to oppose the expansion. Difficulties in raising capital caused delays. Purchased secondhand in 1909. Andrew Hoad, 67, with his two sons Tom 38 (left) and Will 34 (right) who own Parsonage Farm in Robertsbridge, East Sussex where multi millionaire Richard Broyd is trying to extend a heritage steam railway across their land as a 'Vanity Project'. Plan meals, try new foods and explore cuisines with tested recipes from the country's top chefs. Kent & East Sussex Railway - Tenterden - Northiam - Bodiam Welcome to the Kent & East Sussex Railway Train Services Sunday 19th March 2023 Give Mum the gift of time travel this Mothers' Day! Some are connected with local history and the railway whilst, as on other heritage lines, Thomas and Santa specials provide a commercial underpinning to the company's activities. It takes its name from the original name for what later became the Kent and East Sussex Railway, running from Robertsbridge through to Headcorn in Kent, via Tenterden. With the help of a grant from the Railway Heritage Trust RVR acquired and removed the railway turntable from Hither Green depot in 2020, and following refurbishment this has recently been installed at Robertsbridge. Most of the permanent way between Northiam and Bodiam has now been rebuilt to modern standards. London transport portal. They claim the project is to allow 'rich men to play with their toys' and the threat of compulsory purchase orders, or CPOs, amounts to 'a land grab reminiscent of the Dark Ages'. A scuffed copy of the Koran. Rother District Council granted planning permission last year. In May 1983, Manning Wardle 'Charwelton' was derailed between Wittersham Road and Rolvenden causing damage to approximately 100 yards of track and to the locomotive's axle boxes. Body later used as a shed on a farm, where it survived until 1964. Around 15 light railways were built, the Kent & East Sussex Railway being one of the most famous. [2], The Ashford - Hastings line had originally been promoted to run via Headcorn and Tenterden, but the government preferred the more southerly route. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Rother Valley Railway chairman Gardner Crawley said the railway had requested that the hearing be delayed so it could gather more information on its impact on traffic. The final working was the 7.55 am working from Robertsbridge on Saturday 10th June 1961 followed the next day by a rail tour. Themed events are run through the year. One batch of stock disposed of was valued at 855, but realised only 6 10s 0d. The end was in sight and traffic decline was now steep. The extension was built and opened in 1905. Opposition from the South Eastern Railway meant that the Tenterden to Appledore section was dropped. The South Eastern Railway opened its line from Ashford to Hastings on 13 February 1851. Built by London and South Western Railway. Rail mounted guns were stationed at Rolvenden and Wittersham. Mrs Ainslie said: 'It is purely the whim of an organisation of train enthusiasts who feel they have the right to take something for their own gratification. Trying to find the right nursery, school, college, university or training provider in Kent or Medway? The Government must now agree to make an order under the Transport and Works Act for the purchase to go ahead, but that could require a public inquiry. [1], By the mid 19th century, Tenterden was in the middle of a triangle of railway lines. Mrs Ainslie's grandfather Robert de Quincey bought it in 1946 after returning from three years as a prisoner of war in Burma. Three of the five were scrapped in 1935, and a fourth, No. It's GRAYGATE! The Tenterden to Robertsbridge section survived until 1961 for freight. Mr Hoad, 67, who runs it with wife Lynn and sons Tom, 38, and Will, 34, said: 'We feel angry at having our land taken from us against our will for what can only be termed a vanity project. kent and east sussex railway extension to robertsbridge. In a statement this week RVR chairman Gardner Crawley said: Their fears will be addressed as the scheme progresses and it is to be hoped that the economic benefits of the scheme will become apparent. For a money-saving subscription to Old Glory magazine, simply click here, Kelsey Media Ltd, The Granary, Downs Court, Yalding Hil, Yalding, Kent, ME18 6AL www.kelsey.co.uk . The Kent & East Sussex Railway was one of the light railways operated by Colonel H.F. Stephens, the railway engineer. In 2010 a further 150yds of track bed was obtained and track was laid to the site of Junction Road Halt adjacent to the B2244 (formerly the A229). Conceived as the Rother Valley Railway, it opened from Robertsbridge to Rolvenden station (then named Tenterden) in 1900 and subsequently on to Tenterden Town in 1903. Brent Cross West [3] is a railway station under construction on the Thameslink route on the Midland Main Line. The Kent & East Sussex Railway are proud to be the home for two of these historic locomotives; Bodiam, was . Rother Valley Railway (Bodiam to Robertsbridge Junction) Order. Acquired during the Second World War. [7] The original Tenterden station was renamed Rolvenden on this date. This section was acquired by RVR, leaving just two stretches still to be acquired. A proposal was promoted in 1900 to build a line from Robertsbridge to Pevensey, which was to be worked by the Rother Valley Railway. The railway line from Rolvenden to Robertsbridge was opened in 1900. The comments below have not been moderated. A proposed roadside tramway from Headcorn to Tenterden suffered the same fate in 1882. The Kent and East Sussex Railway is a winding rural steam and diesel light railway that runs for 10 miles on a preserved rail route through the Kent countryside. Built as a first class carriage. Four third-class four-wheel carriages were purchased new in 1901 for the opening of the line. Scrapped in 1948. Railway experience days are also offered. 31048, 31064, 31065, 31370, 31390 and 31434, On 9 January 1929, the Ford railmotor was derailed at. Converted c1909 to a five compartment brake third. Tenterden had yearned for a railway connection for many years but finally received a connection in 1900.The origins of the line seem, in fact, to lie elsewhere than Tenterden.