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For one weekend only....

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by Fireline, Jan 29, 2011.

  1. Fireline

    Fireline Well-Known Member

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    This is possibly one of the rarest opportunities in preservation, and certainly one that looked impossible 20 years ago! The Kent and East Sussex Railway is running over the newly laid section of track between Bodiam and Udiam for one weekend only, on the 19th and 20th March. For those of that persuasion, the first train is by pre-booking only. This will NOT be happening again in 2011, not even at the May Gala. As one of the people who has helped rebuild the track on behalf of the Rother Valley Railway, I would love to see as many people take advantage as possible.

    Oh, and one last thing. There is no station at Udiam, so please don't get out!

    For further information, please look at the KESR website at this link: http://www.kesr.org.uk/news/junction-road-weekend.html
     
  2. Fireline

    Fireline Well-Known Member

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    A quick reminder that next weekend will be a great opportunity to get some rare mileage under your belt! Trains are being top and tail operated, so there should be at least 4 engines out for the weekend, plus the DMMU for those who want a really good view of the new bit!
     
  3. desperado

    desperado Member

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    Does anyone know which locos will be out next weekend?
     
  4. alts1985

    alts1985 Well-Known Member

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    I shall be there Saturday and on the trains. Is it the 10.30 from Tenterden, arriving at Junction Road at 11.19 thats pre book only? I am going to see Tangmere at Hassocks and Preston Park on the Bristol tour 'on my way' anyway so I probably won't be getting there much before that anyway but just wondering!
     
  5. Fireline

    Fireline Well-Known Member

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    The first train is pre-book only, as I understand it. After that, it's a free for all! Oh, and the only engine I know for certain that has been requested is Charwelton. This is due to it's being owned by the Rother Valley Railway. As I understand it, the ticket for the day works like one of our Gala rover tickets, so you can do the new bit as many times as you wish! Oh, and I must emphasise that there is no public access to the land at Udiam, as it runs through the garden of a private house!
     
  6. nigelss

    nigelss Member

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    Might be off-topic here, but does anyone know how the RVR plan to get past the A21 bypass at Robertsbridge? I'd have thought a level crossing is out of the question for a start. (I personally think level crossings are perfectly safe - it's the idiots who don't want to wait and ignore the signals etc that are the problem). I suppose the same applies to getting across Junction Road. I looked at the route from Robertsbridge on Google Earth and the trackbed vanishes completely once you get to the A21 bypass; no sign of it continuing to the east. Is there really any possibility of the connection from Udiam/Junction Road to Robertsbridge ever being reestablished?
     
  7. kesbobby

    kesbobby Member

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    I am a member of the KESR, not the RVR, and I firmly believe re-connection is going to happen. It is only a matter of when. Track has almost reached Junction Road and I believe that some more trackbed is owned on the other side of that road. However, I understand that a decision has been taken not to go further with track until other works are done, including some bridges (3?) that must be re-built before track can be laid. You may be able find out more from the RVR website.

    Yesterday I took part in the route-learning trips covering the Bodiam -Junction Road section. Next weekend, we do it for real! Why not join the party?
     
  8. desperado

    desperado Member

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    The date's been in my diary since it was announced but £16 + petrol is a lot for one-ish miles of track beyond Bodiam. It's good value for 3 return trips if the locos happen to be interesting. Unfortunately the only loco anyone will mention is Charwelton which doesn't interest me at all (sorry).
     
  9. kesbobby

    kesbobby Member

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    I understand that USA Tank 30065 and Terrier 32678 will also be used. There will be another big engine but yet not sure which that will be. There will be a lot of engine changes at Northiam. The Northiam bobby and gateman are going to be busy!
     
  10. nigelss

    nigelss Member

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    Thanks kesbobby. I do keep an eye on the RVR website and Facebook page so I'm aware that work is going on to reinstate track as far as Northbridge Street at the Robertsbridge end. Bridge work is in progress and the trackbed has already been cleared. This will take the railway pretty much as far as it can get before having to deal with the A21 which is what prompted my original question. See the RVR website updates page and scroll down to January 2011 for pictures.
     
  11. Unlikely

    Unlikely New Member

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    Will there be a timetable and roster available for this one from the website beforehand? I'm sidelined with a broken leg but a few family members are planning to go down for the day and are keen for info.
     
  12. kesbobby

    kesbobby Member

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    First train is 10.30 from Tenterden, then at 45 min intervals with last departure 15.45. Best keep an eye on the website for more info.

    Warning to all:

    Do not try to start your journey from Bodiam. Trains TO Junction Road will not stop there (they will stop on the return) and there is no parking available at the station anyway. Recommend you start at Tenterden or Northiam.
     
  13. desperado

    desperado Member

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  14. Fireline

    Fireline Well-Known Member

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    To be honest, I think there won't be a loco roster before the event. We have come in for some stick in the past for announcing loco rosters, then not having one of the announced engines available. I am going to be on the first train, and even I don't know what will be pulling it!
     
  15. Unlikely

    Unlikely New Member

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    Shame, I'm sure the number of intelligent people who want a loco roster in advance to help plan their day but understand that sometimes things go awry and it's subject to change outweighs the number of people who'd moan if the actual line-up doesn't match the advance roster. But the latter are probably more vocal!

    I know Dad will want to try and get every loco in regardless of what they are (and maybe to head over to the East Kent as well for the 09 and EMU if he has time while he's that far east), so even if the loco list isn't going to be available, what's the basic plan? Three sets, so four locos, changing at Northiam? Is that one dropping onto the back for the top and tail to Udiam then hauling the train back to Tenterden?
     
  16. Spitfire

    Spitfire New Member

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    I understand loco-hauled trains will be top and tailed from Northiam to Junction Road and return. There will be a set of Mark 1s worked by the two larger locomotives, a set of 4/6 wheelers worked by two small locos and the Class 108 DMMU.
     
  17. howard

    howard Member

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    I'm driving Charwelton on Sunday if anyone wants to come and say hello.
     
  18. Unlikely

    Unlikely New Member

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    Thanks for that, sounds great. If there is any more info about the loco line-up and a rough roster before Dad sets out on Sunday, that would be great so he can try and time his dash over to the East Kent (unlike me, he'll probably be trying to skip the DMU and focus on the steam-hauled sets if he can), but sure he can work out a rough plan from that info. Hope all runs smoothly and you get a decent turnout. I'll be there next time you do it and I'm not in plaster.
     
  19. malc

    malc Part of the furniture

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    Even if the loco roster isn't available, it would be good to know whcih trains are steam-hauled and which are the DMU.
     
  20. Spitfire

    Spitfire New Member

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    10.30, 12.45 and 3.00 ex Tenterden are steam-hauled Mark 1 set
    11.15, 1.30 and 3.45 are worked by the vintage set
    12.00 and 2.15 are booked for the DMMU
     

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