This is shaping up to be quite an event - it will certainly be
my "must do" event of the year!
The 50th Anniversary gala on 1/2 June marks 50 years from the official re-opening of the K&ESR (Saturday 1st June 1974) and will feature 3 as-yet unidentified visiting locos on the Tenterden-Bodiam line, although there was a teaser on the gala page for some time in the shape of a pixellated photo of a loco which I would willing to put money on is Swanage Railway-based ex-SR U class 2-6-0 No.31806.
A fourth locomotive will be at Robertsbridge Junction, which has been announced as BR 7MT pacific No.70000 'Britannia'. The 'Brit' will operate shuttles along the Rother Valley Railway between Robertsbridge & Northbridge Street and will also be the first steam loco to use the ex-Hither Green turntable which has recently been installed at Robertsbridge.
The K&ESR's home fleet likely to be in action during the weekend should include Hunslet 0-6-0ST No.15 'Hastings' and Hunslet 'Austerities' Nos.25 'Northiam' & WD75008 'Swiftsure'. There is a chance that ex-LBSCR 'Terrier' No.2678 will be able to take part in the event as work is underway to try to get the 1880-built loco operational following a period out of action.
https://kesr.org.uk/50th-anniversary-gala/
https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2024/03...ebrations.html
Tony