The K&ESR opened as a light railway in stages from 1900, eventually extending 21½ miles from Robertsbridge via Tenterden to Headcorn. It was part of Colonel Stephen's empire of minor railways and remained independent until nationalisation in 1948. The K&ESR heritage railway currently runs on part of the route of the historical company. The railway runs between Tenterden Town and Bodiam. A separate railway preservation effort, the Rother Valley Railway, is restoring track at the western end between Robertsbridge Junction and Bodiam.
Tenterden Town station (KSU @ 53m 11ch). 12 April 1980
GWR Railcar stabled in a siding
Tenterden Town station (KSU @ 53m 11ch). 12 April 1980
Rolvenden Works. 11 December 1910. (KSU @ 54m 24ch)
2-bay engine shed of wooden construction.
Rolvenden Works. 11 December 1910. (KSU @ 54m 24ch)
Rolvenden (KSU @ 54m 42ch). 20 September 1981
KESR American built 0-6-0T Loco No 22 “Maunsell” arriving.
Rolvenden (KSU @ 54m 42ch). 20 September 1981
Wittersham Road (KSU @ 57m 20ch). Loco 24 running round. 12 April 1980
Wittersham Road (KSU @ 57m 20ch). Loco 24 running round. 12 April 1980
Kent & East Sussex Light Railway. Bodiam station (ELR - KSU @ 63m 15ch). 20 August 1972
Kent & East Sussex Light Railway. Bodiam station (ELR - KSU @ 63m 15ch). 20 August 1972
East Kent Railway. "Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted" Notice. (Ref: 031720)
East Kent Railway. "Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted" Notice. (Ref: 031720)
Kent & East Sussex 2-4-0T and three coach train (Ref: 010690)
Kent & East Sussex 2-4-0T and three coach train (Ref: 010690)
Kent & East Sussex Railway 0-6-0ST No.8 c.1937 (Ref: 010653)
Manning Wardle loco purchased second hand from the GWR in 1914. Pictured pulling a short goods train at Headcorn.
Kent & East Sussex Railway 0-6-0ST No.8 c.1937 (Ref: 010653)
Kent & East Sussex Railway Petrol Rail Car No. 2. 1920s (Ref: 010675)
Intorduced by Colonel Stephens in the 1920s it had bus bodies on Ford 1 ton lorry chassis. The train was made of two identical units coupled back to back.
Kent & East Sussex Railway Petrol Rail Car No. 2. 1920s (Ref: 010675)
0-8-0T No. 949 "Hecate". 1946 (Ref: 010684)
Originally built for Kent & East Sussex Railway in 1904 by Hawthorn Leslie & Co., it was absorbed in 1932 by the Southern Railway and ended its working life on shed shunting duties at Nine Elms. It was scrapped in 1950.
0-8-0T No. 949 "Hecate". 1946 (Ref: 010684)
Locos at Rolvenden. No. 12 0-6-0T “Marcia”, & No. 10 0-6-0T “Sutton”. 12 April 1980
Locos at Rolvenden. No. 12 0-6-0T “Marcia”, & No. 10 0-6-0T “Sutton”. 12 April 1980
No 10 “Sutton”. 12 April 1980
Built as LBSC No. 50 Whitechapel. Rebuilt to A1X in May 1920. To the Isle of Wight in May 1930 and renumbered W9 Fishbourne. Entered Departmental Service in 1937 as 515S and used at Lancing Carriage Works. Returned to Service Stock in 1953 and renumbered 32650. Worked the Hayling Island Branch Line until closure. Withdrawn in November 1964
No 10 “Sutton”. 12 April 1980
Publicity Postcard issued by the Kent & East Sussex Railway. No. 2. Bodiam Castle and Moat (Ref: 031454)
The K&ES Light Railway opened from 1900 between Headcorn and Robertsbridge. Bodiam Castle was served by Bodiam Station
Publicity Postcard issued by the Kent & East Sussex Railway. No. 2. Bodiam Castle and Moat (Ref: 031454)
Publicity Postcard issued by the Kent & East Sussex Railway. No. 4. Rolvenden Hight Street (Ref: 031452)
The K&ES Light Railway opened from 1900 between Headcorn and Robertsbridge. Bolvenden High Street was served by Bolvenden Station
Publicity Postcard issued by the Kent & East Sussex Railway. No. 4. Rolvenden Hight Street (Ref: 031452)
Publicity Postcard issued by the Kent & East Sussex Railway. No. 5. Tenterden Old Houses in High Street (Ref: 031455)
The K&ES Light Railway opened from 1900 between Headcorn and Robertsbridge. Tenterden High Street was served by Tenterden Town Station
Publicity Postcard issued by the Kent & East Sussex Railway. No. 5. Tenterden Old Houses in High Street (Ref: 031455)
