Steam Up!

About

Steam Up!

The late May Bank holiday weekend (Sat 27-Mon 29 May) brings Steam Up, the railway's first steam festival since before the pandemic and its largest showcase for many years.

Leading the heritage line-up will be Battle of Britain locomotive 257 Squadron, the biggest engine ever to ride the line. In contrast, the railway's smallest locomotive 'Marcia' will also be in action for a true 'little and large' experience! There will also be a top roster of other steam and diesel engines, including much loved 'Swiftsure', 'Sapper' and newly returned to the rails 'Hastings'.

And the highlights don't stop there:
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Go further: A new intensive timetable will see trains running beyond Bodiam to Junction Road for the first time in many years, following several months of clearance, fencing, and track work undertaken in collaboration with the Rother Valley Railway Company. Although no longer a station, in its heyday Junction Road was the traditional stop for hop pickers making the annual pilgrimage from London to Kent.
All change! Two trains will be working on one platform at Tenterden while at Northiam both platforms will be in use, giving passengers the novel experience of changing trains to travel to Bodiam and Junction Road. There will also be a shuttle service to enable passengers to visit the Rolvenden Locomotive Works.

Access all areas. Both the Tenterden Carriage & Wagon Workshop and the Rolvenden Works will be opening their doors throughout the weekend – locations not normally open to the public. At Tenterden this will provide a rare opportunity to see the impressive restoration work being undertaken on GWR Diesel Railcar W20 and to chat with the K&ESR volunteers involved. At Rolvenden, visitors can see several locomotives under repair, including the Ford Diesel, 4253 and USA Tank No65. Elegant and much-loved Terriers 'Poplar' and 'Knowle' will also be on display. Members of the K&ESR volunteer engineering team will be on hand throughout to answer questions and explain what it takes to maintain these beautiful and historic machines.

Fun for all the family. There will be plenty of non-train activities to enjoy, with children's fun fair rides* and traction engines at Rolvenden and Northiam, plus displays of classic cars and 1960's scooters at Tenterden, where platform tickets will also be available for those not planning to travel. The Tenterden Tea Room, gift shop and museum will be open and there will also be an extended tea room offer at Northiam station with home-made cakes to enjoy.