PRESS RELEASE
31st January 2025
On track for Spring at the Kent & East Sussex Railway
The Kent & East Sussex Railway is springing into action a whole month earlier than usual this year with a Spring programme full of fun activities and special events for visitors of all ages.
Steam loco 'Hastings' arriving at Tenterden
Photo by Caroline Warne
February
From Saturday 1st February trains on the award-winning heritage line will be operating every weekend throughout February and March. In addition, during Half Term weekday services will run on Tuesday 18th, Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th.
Whatever the weather, the journey will provide plenty to keep kids smiling. Everyone can turn Nature Detective with free nature-spotting fact sheets as the steam hauled trains travel through the stunning Rother Valley, a designated National Landscape. The smiles will continue for the grown-ups with a Half Term Kids Go Free offer where up to three children can travel free with one full fare-paying adult or senior.
Popular children's character Bluey is set to join the fun on Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th February. Organised by Fox & Edwards events on selected services, this experience is only available through online pre-booking and is not included in the Kids Go Free offer.
March
For anyone keen to find out what that old family heirloom is really worth why not bring it along to Tenterden Town Station on Wednesday 5th March for an expert valuation by the team from Canterbury Auction Galleries. Who knows, you might have a valuable antique on your hands!
On Mother's Day weekend (29th and 30th March) there's a chance to treat mums to a ploughman's lunch (Saturday) or cream tea (Saturday and Sunday) on selected services. Add some bubbles to your order to make the experience truly sparkling!
April
April begins with a weekend of celebrations at Bodiam Station on 5th and 6th April to mark the 25th Anniversary of the station reopening for passenger services, and finishes with a spectacular Midgets of Steam Gala weekend (26th and 27thApril) showcasing the small yet mighty locomotive stars of the age of steam.
In between these two celebrations there are Easter holiday activities for all the family with Easter-themed treasure hunts, fun quizzes and, of course, appearances by the Easter Bunny.
Special events include the first of two opportunities to joinexpert ornithologist David Campbell ofWildstarts for an Early Morning Bird Watching Tour on Saturday 12th April, travelling on the K&ESR's heritage diesel observation train (DOT for short) with its large viewing windows and resplendent in its newly repainted green and red livery.
With three stops en-route, there will be plenty of opportunity towatch and listen for a variety of birds which live in the biodiverse habitats along the line including rare speciessuch as nightingales, turtle doves, cuckoos, skylarks and yellowhammers.
As well as a return journey with expert insights and a K&ESR guide to tell you more about the landscape you are travelling through, tickets include a delicious, cooked breakfast at the end of the trip.
Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at the railway? The new Behind The Scenes Experience will reveal all! It includes atour of areas not normally accessible to the general public, including the Carriage and Wagon Workshop at Tenterden and the Locomotive Works at Rolvenden, with the opportunity to talk with dedicated volunteers who work there; a visit to a signal box; lunch in the Refreshment Room at Tenterden and a full length return trip on the train.The first bookable dates are in April and May.
Photo by Robin Coombes
Meanwhile aspiring young engineers can join the first Junior Engineering Day of the year on Sunday 13th April to learn more about the workings of the railway including the chance to travel on the footplate of a steam locomotive to see exactly how it works.Chris Vine, author of the Peters Railway books, will lead each session, sharing his passion for all things engineering. The sessions are suitable for children aged 6-12 years accompanied by one adult.
13thApril is also Green Fun Day at Tenterden Town Station. Held in conjunction with Plastic Free Tenterden for the third year running, there willfree face painting, live music and plenty of activities with green livingideas and information - all for a £1 platform ticket.
May
May is just as busy with a Star Wars themed Day on what else but 4th May, when you can dress to impress as your favourite Star Wars character, and the second Early Morning Bird Watching Tour onTuesday 13th May.
This year's 1940s weekend 17th -18th May will be commemorating the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britian and the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a bigger than ever event. Along with all the regular attractions such as re-enactors and period vehicles, the UK's premier wartime songstresses and Britain's Got Talent finalists The D-Day Darlings will be performing popular songs from the wartime era during the day.
The month concludes over Half Term with a genuine first for both UK gamers and the railways as gaming specialistsTechzone bring their mobile gaming experience to the K&ESR. This exclusively pre-bookable event will be available on two timetabled trains at 10:20 and 15:40 each day from Monday 26th May to Friday 30th May.
More information on all Spring events and special experiences can be found in the Events section of the website -www.kesr.org.uk
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For further information please contact:
Alison Miles, Press Officer, K&ESR
Notes to Editors:
About the Kent & East Sussex Railway
The Kent & East Sussex Railway is a renowned heritage railway based in Tenterden, Kent, UK and operates as an educational charity. Built by Holman F Stephens, it was the first light passenger railway in Britain in the early 20thcentury and is today one of Britain's most loved and original heritage lines which celebrated the 50thanniversary of reopening in 2024. With a rich history spanning over 120 years, the K&ESR offers visitors an authentic steam and diesel-powered railway experience through 10½ miles of Wealden countryside in the beautiful Rother Valley, a designated National Landscape (formerly known as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). Staffed almost entirely by volunteers, the railway prides itself on preserving railway heritage, operating a diverse range of locomotives, and providing a unique glimpse into the golden age of rail travel.