On track for Spring at the Kent & East Sussex Railway
The Kent & East Sussex Railway is springing into action a whole month earlier than usual this year with a Spring programme full of fun activities and special events for visitors of all ages.
Steam loco 'Hastings' arriving at Tenterden
Photo by Caroline Warne
February
Starting Saturday, February 1st, trains on the award-winning heritage line will run every weekend throughout February and March. Additionally, weekday services will be available during Half Term on Tuesday 18th, Wednesday 19th, and Thursday 20th.
No matter the weather, the journey promises fun for all ages. Kids can become Nature Detectives with free nature-spotting fact sheets as the steam-powered trains travel through the scenic Rother Valley, a designated National Landscape. Adults can smile too, thanks to the Half Term Kids Go Free offer, allowing up to three children to travel free with each full fare-paying adult or senior.
Popular children’s character Bluey will be joining the fun on Tuesday, February 18th, and Wednesday, February 19th. Organized by Fox & Edwards events on selected services, this special experience is only available through online pre-booking and is not included in the
Kids Go Free offer.
March
Curious about the value of an old family heirloom? Bring it to Tenterden Town Station on Wednesday, March 5th, for an expert valuation by the team from Canterbury Auction Galleries. Who knows—you might discover you own a valuable antique!
On Mother’s Day weekend (March 29th and 30th), treat Mum to something special with a ploughman’s lunch on Saturday or a cream tea on both Saturday and Sunday on selected services. You can even add some bubbles to make the occasion truly sparkling!
Celebrate Mother's Day with a cream tea
April
April kicks off with a weekend of celebrations at Bodiam Station on April 5th and 6th to mark the 25th Anniversary of the station reopening for passenger services. The month wraps up with a spectacular Midgets of Steam Gala on April 26th and 27th, showcasing the small but powerful locomotive stars from the golden age of steam.
Between these two events, families can enjoy a host of Easter holiday activities, including Easter-themed treasure hunts, fun quizzes, and special appearances by the Easter Bunny.
A highlight of the month is the first of two Early Morning Bird Watching Tours led by expert ornithologist David Campbell from Wildstarts. This unique experience takes place on Saturday, April 12th, aboard the K&ESR’s heritage diesel observation train, known as DOT, which features large viewing windows and a newly repainted green and red livery.
The large windows of the Diesel Observation Train offer great views
Photo by Caroline Warne
With three stops en-route, there will be plenty of opportunity to watch and listen for a variety of birds which live in the biodiverse habitats along the line including rare species such as nightingales, turtle doves, cuckoos, skylarks and yellowhammers.
Cuckoo flying over a line side field
Photo by David Campbell, Wildstarts
As well as a return journey with expert insights and a K&ESR guide to tell you more about the landscape you are travelling through, tickets include a delicious, cooked breakfast at the end of the trip.
Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at the railway? The new Behind The Scenes Experience will reveal all! It includes a tour of areas not normally accessible to the general public, including the Carriage and Wagon Workshop at Tenterden and the Locomotive Works at Rolvenden, with the opportunity to talk with dedicated volunteers who work there; a visit to a signal box; lunch in the Refreshment Room at Tenterden and a full length return trip on the train. The first bookable dates are in April and May.
Some of the volunteers with an iconic restoration project - The GWR Railcar W20
Photo by Robin Coombes
Meanwhile aspiring young engineers can join the first Junior Engineering Day of the year on Sunday 13th April to learn more about the workings of the railway including the chance to travel on the footplate of a steam locomotive to see exactly how it works. Chris Vine, author of the Peters Railway books, will lead each session, sharing his passion for all things engineering. The sessions are suitable for children aged 6-12 years accompanied by one adult.
Junior Engineering Days are led by Peter's Railway author Chris Vine
April 13th is Green Fun Day at Tenterden Town Station. In partnership with Plastic Free Tenterden for the third consecutive year, the event offers free face painting, live music, and plenty of activities focused on green living ideas and information—all accessible with just a £1 platform ticket.
May
May is packed with excitement, starting with a Star Wars Themed Day on May 4th—perfect for fans to dress up as their favourite characters from a galaxy far, far away. The month also features the second Early Morning Bird Watching Tour on Tuesday, May 13th, offering another chance to explore the local wildlife with expert ornithologist David Campbell aboard the heritage diesel observation train.
Star Wars Day 2024 - Photo by Stepstone Imaging
May
This year’s 1940s Weekend on 17th–18th May will commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the 80th anniversary of VE Day with an event bigger than ever before. Alongside all the usual attractions, including re-enactors and period vehicles, the UK’s premier wartime songstresses and Britain’s Got Talent finalists, The D-Day Darlings, will be performing popular songs from the wartime era throughout the day.
Wartime music trio the D-Day Darlings
The month concludes over Half Term with a genuine first for both UK gamers and the railways as gaming specialists Techzone bring their mobile gaming experience to the K&ESR. This exclusively pre-bookable event will be available on two timetabled trains at 10:20 and 15:40 each day from Monday 26th May to Friday 30th May.
More information on all Spring events and special experiences can be found in the Events section of the website - www.kesr.org.uk