Kent & East Sussex Railway

Thanks for the updates. Is another engine likely to be hired in to assist, with the Std 4 going?

 

I don't think so. It's likely that 30065 will be the third engine, although it's not finished yet.

 

Glad you enjoyed your visit. This week passenger numbers have been well up on last years half term week, nearly a sell out, in fact we have had one Ex Bodiam train which was full and standing unfortunately.
The mileposts are Col Stephens replicas that were installed about 25 years ago. I think the warranty on the Sandtex paint has probably run out. I guess repainting them is on the list after higher priority jobs. There are a couple of originals in the museum. I was there when we found one near the site of Junction Road Halt when carrying out the clearance for the relaying of that section some years ago.

 

[PEDANT ALERT] That's Tenterden, not Bodiam

 

Whichever direction it was travelling in, full and standing is damn excellent for a very wet February!

 

For operational purposes we number the telegraph poles on the K&ESR.

 

Hi Big Al

Great photo, any objections to me downloading it? I'm leaning out of the cab!

Brendan

 

[PEDANT ALERT] It’s not a J94.

 

A question for the signalling experts: is the home signal in the background the section signal, i.e. you need the token to go past it? If so, how does a "shunt ahead" operate? My understanding of such a signal is that when cleared, you can go past but only as far as is required for the shunt you are conducting (for example, so the train clears the run round points if you were shunting a whole train between platforms). But if the home arm is the section signal, then without the token, there could be a train coming the other way while you were in advance of it shunting?

Or is there an advanced starter further down the line that acts as the section signal - but in which case, why do you need the shunt ahead? You could just clear the first signal and shunt as far as the next one?

I'm sure there's a reason, but it would be interesting to see the signalling diagram and have a description of how shunting works in that location.

Tom

 

The signal behind the locomotive is the section signal/advanced starter, with a shunting ahead signal below it. There is a Limit of Shunt board about 7 coach lengths from the level crossing going down the hill towards Rolvenden. With the token withdrawn from Tenderden box either signal can be released.

 

It's masquerading as one so it's probably reasonable to describe it as such

 

Clear breach of Company Policy 101D: "Only photogenic loco crew may be used in material likely to feature on publicly accessible internet sites".

 

Although if I'm arriving to get the museum open before the first train leaves, it's frustrating to be held on the wrong side of the crossing while important shunting goes on!

 

That Chimney makes it a Porta modified Austerity - are the mods still on?

 

Purely personal view but it would look far smarter in the maroon livery it wore during final NCB service at Cadley Hill Colliery, Swadlincote. A curiousity is that I believe the boiler currently on HE2857 is the one from HE3889, the penultimate standard gauge British steam loco until the new builds. HE3889 also ended up at Cadley Hill but never worked there, the boiler swap occured in current ownership though.

 

I agree but at least its better than the yellow livery that HE3889 wore at Cadley Hill.
Ray.

 

Totally agree Ray. Having seen 66 HE3890 turned out as built at Quainton I'm not sure when 65 HE3889 became the 'yellow peril'. Having been built in 1964, it didn't work all that long at Manvers Main before becoming surplus so was it overhauled and repainted in between?