Kent & East Sussex Railway - Open Day 26th May 2008

In similar vein to many heritage railways, the Kent & East Sussex Railway (KESR) holds an annual open day to attract members of the public to visit and join and to encourage volunteers to sign up. Discussing matters "Yankee Tank" with Paul Wilson, KESR Engineering Manager some weeks earlier and discovering that USA Class 30065, based at the KESR, was very close to re-entering service after a heavy overhaul, Project 62 Chairman, Richard White decided that the open day would be a good opportunity to go along and take a look.

The engineering works at Rolvenden Station are very well equipped, much of the machinery having come from the old Southern Railway works at Ashford. Paul Wilson very kindly gave a tour of the works and the yard, before introducing 30065 which looked magnificent. The locomotive has passed her boiler exams and is now awaiting final approval from operations, following which 30065 should be in service early June 2008 all being well.

Photos below show that 30065 has been turned out in Southern black livery and numbered "65". This is how she would have appeared in Southampton Docks during the period up to 1948 prior to the formation of British Rail when she was subsequently renumbered "30065".

After visiting the works at Rolvenden, the prospect of having a run on the 10 and a half miles of this Colonel Stephens light railway, hauled by Stroudley Terrier "Bodiam" was irresistable. The scenery along the line is spectacular, there are many tough gradients and a number of gated level crossings which add further interest to the operation. Thoroughly recommended and soon to have the additional added attraction of a USA Class locomotive!

For more information about the Kent and East Sussex Railway visit their website at www.kesr.org.uk and for excellent detail on 30065 (and 30070 also based there) see www.kesr-operating.org.uk/LocoTrust.htm . The history of how these two engines survived into preservation, rather than being tranferred to Woodham's in Wales (where they were being towed to, but failed at Tonbridge), is yet another remarkable story regarding the USA Class.

A big thank-you is due to Paul Wilson and the staff at the Kent & East Sussex Railway for their hospitality and for providing such a great day.

30065 on 26th May 2008 in the Rolvenden yard

A new bunker has increased coal capacity

Brake controls and reverser on driver's side of cab

Water level gauges, regulator and top of fire doors

Firedoors from China were originally air operated via cylinder at top

Manifold controls and pressure gauges

The smokebox front plate is detachable for easier clean out

Lubrication modifications ensure that bearings do not overheat

Tenterden is at one end of the line

Stroudley "Terrier" Bodiam arrives with vintage set at Rolvenden

SE&CR 3rd Class carriage in immaculate condition

"Bodiam" works hard up one of many gradients

Their nick-names are very well earned - the KESR has a maximum gradient of 1:38, which the Terrier can manage with a four carriage vintage set

All photos are copyright of Project 62 unless otherwise credited. For more information about our locomotives 30075, 62-521/30076 (and of course 62-121 at the National Railway Museum in Ljubljana), assisting with a donation or participating in part ownership by purchasing shares, email us at project62@supanet.com - many thanks.