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Kent And East Sussex Railway

 

Britain's railways were built in a burst of entrepreneurial frenzy from the 1830s onwards. But inspite of the railways' origins in private enterprise, the world's first mass transport system was soon being seen in a wider public service role. As early as 1840 William Gladstone had fixed third class fares at a penny per mile by act of Parliament. In many ways the Kent and East Sussex Railway was originally built with this public service role in mind. In 1896 engineer Fred Stephens was authorised to build a Robertsbridge to Tenterden line under new legislation which encouraged the provision of light railways in remote rural areas. Even though such lines were not built with the aim of making a fortune, there was still a market for them, and initially the line paid its way. The company did, however, receive a subsidy from South Eastern and Chatham Railway to run an extension line to Tenterden, which opened in 1903. Inspite of this help it wasn't long before the Kent and Sussex Railway was struggling financially, with growing competition from road transport. These money troubles continued throughout the 1920s and 1930s, with Fred Stephens, now Colonel Stephens, battling successfully to keep the company going. During World War Two, with road transport virtually suspended the railways enjoyed a brief resurgence, only for financial difficulties to return more severely than ever after the war. In 1948 the railways were nationalised by Clement Attlee's Labour government, and once again the sense of railways as a public service rather than a profit making business saved the East Sussex Railway for a while. But this could not last. According to the railway's web site, a typical week in 1953 saw 90 trains carrying a total of only 118 passengers. Many trains were running completely empty. The Tenterden to Headcorn section closed in 1954, with the whole line closed by 1961.

Inspite of all the evidence that the Kent and East Sussex Railway was uneconomic, many still wanted to save it. The railways meant more to people than profit and loss. Years of unpaid work by enthusiasts initially reprieved some of the line from demolition, and finally opened a two mile section at Tenterden in 1974. Northiam was reached in 1990 and Bodiam in 2000. Today the Kent and East Sussex Railway is a popular tourist attraction. The railway's headquarters is at Tenterden station where a museum tells the story of the Kent and East Sussex's building and operation. The line running from Tenterden has a stop at Rolvenden, Wittersham Road on the Rother Levels, before continuing to Northiam where there is a large car park with buffet facilities. The final stop is at Bodiam, with Bodiam Castle only a five minute walk away from the station. Note that there are no car parking facilities at Bodiam, and trips are best started at Tenterden or Northiam. A "hop on hop off" ticket allows all day exploration along the line

Address: Tenterden Town Station, Station Road, Tenterden, Kent , TN30 6HE

Directions: Tenterden is on the A28 in Kent, with the station just off Tenterden High Street in Station Road. Follow signs from the High Street. Click here for an interactive map centred on Tenterden Station.

Opening Times: See the official web site for timetable information, with services phasing in through February and March, and phasing out through September and October. Christmas and New Year special trains run in December and January.

Access: Some carriages have ramped access, and there is good level access at stations. Adapted toilet facilities are available at Tenterden, Northiam and Bodiam. Large print time tables are available on request.

Contact:

telephone: 01580 765155

web site: http://kesr.org.uk/

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