Kent & East Sussex Railway Announces ‘Southern Through the Ages’
Gala for November 2026
A celebration of southern railway heritage and last chance to see Terrier ‘Knowle’ before her overhaul
The Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) has added a special event to its Autumn programme, with the Southern Through the Ages Gala set to take place on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th November 2026.
This exciting two-day celebration will explore the rich history and development of Southern railway motive power, bringing together a varied collection of locomotives and rolling stock for an intensive programme of passenger, freight and mixed train services along the picturesque heritage railway.
The Gala line-up will include Terrier 'Knowle'
The gala will also offer enthusiasts and visitors the opportunity to see historic Terrier No. 2678 ‘Knowle’ in action before her temporary withdrawal from service ahead of a major overhaul.
Confirmed participants for the weekend currently include:
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A1X Terrier No. 2678 ‘Knowle’
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Class 205 DEMU No. 1118
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Austerity 0-6-0ST No. 68032
Further announcements will be made in the coming weeks, with the organisers promising additional locomotives for the line-up, representing different eras of Southern railway history.
Derrick Bilsby, Chairman of the Kent & East Sussex Railway, said:
"Our 'Southern Through the Ages' Gala will celebrate the remarkable heritage of the Southern Railway and the generations of locomotives and rolling stock that have served that network over the years. It will also be a particularly poignant occasion to say a temporary farewell to our much-loved Terrier locomotive, No. 2678 'Knowle', before she undergoes overhaul. We look forward to welcoming enthusiasts, supporters and families for what promises to be a memorable event."
Gala co-ordinator George Harman said:
“As our first major Gala since the award-winning ‘Dwarves of Steam’ and the Diesel Gala in 2025 this will be a chance to celebrate the rich history of this remarkable line and a fitting way to give Knowle a good send off for her upcoming overhaul. There’s lots more news to come and we can’t wait to reveal the identities of the next locomotives to join the party!”
Visitors can look forward to an intensive programme of train services, photographic opportunities and the chance to experience a range of historic railway operations over the weekend.
Additional details, including locomotives, timetables and ticket information, will be announced in due course.
For the latest updates, visit www.kesr.org.uk and follow the Kent & East Sussex Railway's social media channels.