Helping to get local Railway back on the Rails
When a local Railway received an unwelcome visit from some unsavoury characters, who removed a number of articles from the storage yard. Some locked in containers, point rodding, tools, spare parts fro the locomotives and rolling stock. But probably the most important were lengths of narrow-gauge track panels, a narrow-gauge coach underframe and wheels and a complete narrow-gauge locomotive. The members of the trust and local community were devastated.
An estimate for the loss comes to around £14,000, as a Charity like many, they have been hit hard due to Covid and the loss of income. And so, the Downs Lodge in Deal have made a donation towards replacing some of those important items.
The photo is of WBro Ivor Winham from the Downs Lodge and two members of the East Kent Railway Trust. A cheque for £250 was donated.
The Trust are not just a local Railway, the site at Sheperdswell has a cafe, model Railway, Woodland Walk, Historic restored Trenches from the 2nd World War, and is open for local people free of charge six days a week.
Operations are continuing but plans that had been put in place for the future have been put on hold. As you can imagine, everyone is distressed at the loss of equipment, and any help is very much appreciated.
East Kent Railway Trust
Once a thriving industrial line serving the Kent Coalfield, the four-mile round trip takes you on a scenic journey between the pretty villages of Shepherdswell and Eythorne. Rolling countryside, steep chalk-lined cuttings and the fascinating Golgotha Tunnel make this a visit to be remembered.
The East Kent Railway is also home to two Signal Boxes, one from Barham on the old Elham Valley Line and another from Selling, near Faversham. Both signal boxes house interesting displays on the history of the EKR. The Walmer Model Railway Club is also at the railway and they have an exciting model display in a beautiful LMS coach.
Also calling the East Kent Railway home are the 400 Series Preservation Group, Southern Electric Group and the Trolley Bus Group. The railway runs trains on most Sundays throughout the year, with the exception of winter months, when a limited service may be in operation.
Please check the timetable for further details or visit our timetable and events pages for details of all train times and events throughout the year. The railway itself is open for woodland walks along with the cafes Tuesday to Sundays.