Sittingbourne & Kemsley
 

Does anyone know what's happening with the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway? The latest I've read is that they are to steam a loco at Preston (Kent) over New Year, but I don't know when the SKLR is going to reopen.

Tony

Next year - they are hoping to start a summer timetable.

'Melior' will be in steam at the New Year Steam Up at Preston Services, Preston-next-Wingham near Canterbury, on 2/3 January. Shortly after this event she will return to Kemsley Down (possibly via the model railway exhibition in Canterbury although this has yet to be arranged).

Work has started on the construction of the new Northern Relief Road, which will bypass Sittingbourne town centre, this is located close to the pylon crossing. The construction of the new bridge is likely to see a slight deviation in the current line to fit under the new bridge but all work is being carried out by Kent County Council's contractors.

Sittingbourne Mill has yet to be sold which is delaying talks with any prospective new owners, this also affects operations into Milton Regis Halt as our boundary is just Kemsley-side of the old Milton Regis station of the 1990s.

I can assure you that we are not sitting on our laurels and we are determined that the Railway will reopen sometime in 2010 as this is our 40th anniversary of public operations.

There is a work weekend this weekend if any members are interested, lunch ad training is provided, we meet at Kemsley Paper Mill car park at 09:30 and leave around 16:00 depending on light and weather conditions.

I will endeavour to keep you informed of any updates but currently negotiations are ongoing for Kemsley Down and Sittingbourne Viaduct to Milton Regis Halt is being taken forward with the existing landlord.

Cheers,

Paul
Press Officer
Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway

Thanks for the update Paul. Good luck for getting trains running in 2010.

Tony

Great news - the Mill site and 'service corridor' has finally been sold.

We are now in talks with the new owners.

Paul
Press Officer
Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway

Is there any more news about this yet ?

All the best,Ian

Talks with the new owners continue to be positive but we are loathe to announce a reopening date until all necessary paperwork has been signed.

In the meantime, 'Melior' arrived at Whipsnade Zoo on Saturday morning and will be taking part in the Great Whipsnade Railway's 40th Anniversary Celebrations on 14/15th August.

Cheers,

Paul
Press Officer
Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway

The Railway will be partially reopening for four days only in 2010 and then fully reopening in 2011.

I have uploaded a September Newsflash to the video section of this site explaining some of the work required to get trains running in October and there will soon be an October Newsflash detailing the reopening at the end of the month.

For info visit www.sklr.net

It's going to be great to be Back in '10!

Paul

A quick update:

The Railway reopened between Milton Regis (Asda) Halt and Kemsley Down at the end of May with trains every Sunday.

Steamy August will see trains running as follows:

Sunday 14th
Wednesday 17th
Sunday 21st
Wednesday 24th
Saturday 27th
Sunday 28th*
Monday 29th*
Wednesday 31st

Trains will depart Milton Regis (Asda) Halt at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. Extra trains operate at 11am and midday on * days.

Fares: £4 adults, £2 child/concessions

A round trip takes about an hour.

Attractions: Footplate Cafe, Railway Shop, Museum Walk (although the museum remains closed), picnic areas, wildlife area and the Saxon Shore Way. Enroute you can also see progress on the Sittingbourne Northern Relief Road which crosses the track on a new bridge, the road is due to open later this year.

Viaduct news: the Viaduct is now fully maintained and ready for passenger trains.

Sittingbourne Viaduct station: this has suffered theft and vandalism since closure in 2008. Work is continuing to get the site ready for the public, however, we are awaiting fencing to ensure that the site is secure before we can reopen it.

Gala Weekend: this will be held on 24/25th September - hopefully from Sittingbourne Viaduct station, make sure you check www.sklr.net for updates.

Paul

We very much regret that due to the very recent discovery of hazardous materials in premises adjacent to the Railway we have been told that we are unable to operate trains until further notice.

We are just as upset as we expect you are at this situation and are doing our utmost to start running trains as soon as we can.

Please check our website for details at www.sklr.net

Sorry,

Paul