K&ESR 50th Anniversary 1/2 June

[TRP]

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

[TRP]

Rumour has it that BR 4MT 2-6-0 No.76017 has arrived at the K&ESR...I'm just looking for confirmation!
But if this is the case, then the BR 'mogul' will be on the list of locos for the June gala.

Tony

[TRP]

Originally Posted by TRP

Rumour has it that BR 4MT 2-6-0 No.76017 has arrived at the K&ESR...I'm just looking for confirmation!
But if this is the case, then the BR 'mogul' will be on the list of locos for the June gala.

Tony

Here's the confirmation: https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2024/04...-for-2024.html

No.76017 has been confirmed as being on hire to the K&ESR (from John Bunch) for the remainder of 2024, which will include an appearance at the line's 50th anniversary gala (1/2 June).
Also visiting the gala will be SE&CR O1 class 0-6-0 No.65 from the Bluebell Railway. This will be the second visit to the K&ESR in preservation, having previously visited in May 2009, but the former BR No.31065 was a frequent sight on the Headcorn-Robertsbridge line in BR days.

Tony

[TRP]

The fourth (and probably final) guest engine for the K&ESR's 50th Anniversary gala has been officially announced as ex-SR U class 2-6-0 No.31806 from the Swanage Railway.
https://kesr.org.uk/50th-anniversary-gala/
The completed line up (subject to availability) should therefore be:

Visiting locos
BR 7MT 4-6-2 No.70000 'Britannia' (at Robertsbridge)
BR 4MT 2-6-0 No.76017
SR U class 2-6-0 No.31806
SE&CR O1 class 0-6-0 No.65

Home fleet
Peckett 0-4-0T No.12 'Marcia'
Hunslet 0-6-0ST No.15 'Hastings'
Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST No.25 'Northiam'
Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST No.75008 'Swiftsure'

(Plus diesels possibly in action which could include BR class 03 D2023, class 14 D9504, class 20 No.20087 & Ruston Hornsby 0-4-0DE 'Rowntree Mackintosh No.1')

Tony