Originally constructed in accordance with the Light Railways Act 1896, the Kent & East Sussex Railway opened to passenger traffic in 1900. The principals of the 1896 Act, saw lighter and cheaper construction of railway lines, with less legal costs, in exchange for lower operating speeds and weight restrictions. This allowed new routes to be laid quickly by companies, and services introduced more promptly, in areas previously deemed of little interest to them. As such, when the K&ESR was built linking Headcorn and Robertsbridge, it was not constructed with heavy express passenger locomotives in mind.
The preserved Kent & East Sussex Railway operates on a 10 & 1/2 mile stretch of the original route, between Bodiam and Tenterden Town, and previously found itself under similar weight restrictions. After carrying out significant work on their permanent-way, and strengthening weight bearing structures, the K&ESR have been able to raise their acceptable axle loading to be able to accomodate much heavier forms of motive power.
Therefore the visit of 'Battle of Britain' Class - 34072 "257 Squadron" to the heritage railway marks not only a preservation first, but also a first in the history of the K&ESR; the first pacific ever, and to date the heaviest locomotive, to operate on K&ESR metals. The Bulleid stalwart, owned by Southern Locomotives Ltd, is appearing on the railway for an extended visit from April until early June. The locomotive, a previous resident of the Swanage Railway, now usually resides on the Spa Valley Railway.
Locomotives:
BR(S) 'Battle of Britain' Class - 34072 "257 Squadron"
Footnote: Having not visited the K&ESR for 7 years, and never filmed from the lineside before, the day was treated more like a reconnaissance trip. As such, this video isn't as 'fleshed out' as hoped, but opens the possibility to make a more comprehensive video on the railway in the future.
All footage filmed on Saturday the 8th of April 2023.
