Long-standing Kent & East Sussex Railway volunteer Nick Pallant has put together a detailed history of this popular heritage railway from the reopening of the first section of line in 1974.
The first 12 chapters, covering the period to the end of the 1980s, rely mainly on secondary sources such as the railway’s own members’ journal. From here onwards the author recalls his first-hand experience as a volunteer, a K&ESR employee and a company secretary.
The book tells the story of the development of the railway and the challenges that it has faced over the years, with highlights including the extensions to Northiam in 1989 and Bodiam in 2000. The last chapter describes some of the developments since 2004, such as the visit of “City of Truro” in 2011 and the Return to Robertsbridge event in 2013 in anticipation of the line’s eventual reopening as far as its former southern terminus.
The Kent & East Sussex Railway 1974-2004 charts the history of this hugely popular heritage railway. Hardback. 240 pages.