I've just noticed that I haven't updated you on the current situation so here goes:
GAP YEAR 2009
By taking a year out, or Gap Year, the Railway’s volunteer workforce will be able to catch up on work and negotiate to Save Our Stations at Kemsley Down and Sittingbourne Viaduct. It will also enable the construction of a bridge over the Railway for Kent County Council’s Northern Distributor Road which will by-pass Sittingbourne town centre.
As with all good Gap Years, members will be touring the country - visiting other steam railways as well as the Away Sales Team attending many model railway exhibitions and open days.
The Board of Trustees would like to apologise for the disappointment caused by the extended closure. You can keep up to date with goings on at the Railway during the closure by visiting the website
www.sklr.net where there will soon be regular postcards of recent events.
Don’t be surprised if you see trains running on the Railway - they enable members to carry out work on or near the line - however, the Railway will continue to be closed to the public this year.
SKLR Members are urged to help out at Work Weekends and new members are welcome - 2009 membership rates have been cut to reflect the unavailability of free travel on the Railway this year. Training will be provided if required.
A short video has been produced to introduce the Gap Year, it is best watch in HD:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNUOO...e=channel_page
Our current event schedule looks like this:
23/24/25 May - Eastleigh Open Weekend (sales stand and model railway)
30 May - Ewell Model Railway Show at the North East Surrey College (KT17 3DS) - sales stand
13/14 June - Chatham Dockyard Model Railway Show - sales stand and display
27/28 June - Preston Rally, near Wingham, Canterbury - 'Melior', see below
11/12 July - Ardingly Vintage & Classic Vehicle Show - display
11/12 July - Amberley Chalk Pits Museum Gala - sales stand and display