Number 12 – Spring 1977

7

Passenger statistics – 1976
A total of 39,741 passengers were carried (17% more than in 1975) on 99 operating days

8-10

The big lift
Simon Green
Describes how the girders of the rebuilt Newmill Bridge were lowered into place in November 1976, despite torrential rain and flooding

11

A relic from the Potteries
P.D.S.
Proposed purchase of a water column that stood on the platform of Shrewsbury Abbey station of the Shropshire & Montgomeryshire Light Railway until 1963, for use at either Northiam or Bodiam

12

Bodiam by 1980?
Stephen Bennett
The Chairman of the Tenterden Railway Company outlines possible developments on the railway over the next three years

14-15

Off the rails
Archive photographs from the W.H. Austen collection showing the derailment of K&ESR 0-6-0 No. 7 ‘Rother’ and a train of ex-Great Eastern Railway four-wheeled carriages on Tenterden Bank in about 1914

16

From our ticket collection – A railwayman’s privilege
Robin Doust
Illustrates and describes a K&ESR employee privilege rate ticket

20-24

From Headcorn to Maidstone.  Part 1: Nineteenth century schemes (1856-1900)
Neil Rose
History of a series of proposals for railways along the Loose Valley.  The only section built was the short branch to a goods station in Tovil, opened in 1886-87

25-28

The 4 Hecates
Stephen Garrett
There were four locomotives named ‘Hecate’ on the Colonel Stephens railways: K&ESR No. 4, a Hawthorn Leslie 0-8-0T, Shropshire & Montgomeryshire Light Railway No. 2, a 0-4-2ST, a Manning Wardle 0-6-0ST of 1862, which may have been used on the Weston, Clevedon & Portishead and Shropshire & Montgomeryshire Light Railways, and a ‘Terrier’ 0-6-0T, Shropshire & montgomeryshire Light Railway No. 7

Number 13 – Summer 1977

7

Frank Davis: an appreciation
P.D.S.
Obituary of Frank Davis, who died on 13 April 1977 in his 79th year.  He had been in charge of the Telecommunications Department at Tenterden for a number of years

9

People and nameplates
On 14 May 1977, the Tenterden Railway Company were hosts to the bi-annual meeting of the Association of Railway Preservation Societies.  Dr John Coiley, Keeper of the National Railway Museum, unveiled the nameplate on locomotive No. 23 ‘Holman F. Stephens’ and also presented to the railway on indefinite loan the nameplate from the former K&ESR ‘Terrier’ No. 5, ‘Rolvenden’

10-12

The last day
Peter Davis
Reminiscences of the last day of passenger services on the K&ESR, 2 January 1954

13-15

First train to Wittersham
‘Morous’
On Saturday 5 March 1977, the first passenger train since January 1954 left Tenterden Town station for Wittersham Road.  Includes a photograph by Brian Stephenson of the train crossing the rebuilt Newmill Bridge

19-21

Shropshire & Montgomeryshire musings
Eric Tonks
The author remembers his first two visits to the Shropshire & Montgomeryshire Light Railway, in May 1937 and with a Birmingham Locomotive Club tour in April 1939

23

From our ticket collection – A joint effort
Robin Doust
Illustrates and describes a ticket printed by the South Eastern & Chatham Railway for an excursion from Tenterden to Hastings

25-28

From Headcorn to Maidstone.  Part 2: The Headcorn & Maidstone Junction Light Railway 1904/6
Neil Rose
History of this proposed railway from Headcorn Junction to Tovil, which was granted a Light Railway Order in 1906 but which was never built

Number 14 – Winter 1977

7

The Detling Extension
Simon Green
The K&ESR exhibit at the Kent County Show in July 1977 included locomotive ‘Marcia’, two lengths of track (250 feet with flat-bottom rail and 180 feet with bullhead), two wagons, a Wickham trolley and two pump trolleys

9

Keeping the passengers moving
Paul Ramsden
Outlines the work and the objectives of the Carriage and Wagon Department.  Mentions the arrival on the K&ESR on 26 and 27 July 1977 on three BR Mark 1 carriages (M25446, E3753 and S4037) and a Southern Railway four-wheeled passenger brake van (S440S)

11-12

The last day
Peter Davis
Concludes the reminiscences of the last-day special train from Headcorn to Robertsbridge on 2 January 1954

13-15

Steam Up – 1977
Mark Yonge
Brief report on the second annual steam event on 17-18 September 1977, with photographs by Brian Stephenson

19-22

Oh, Mr Porter!
Mark Yonge
The making of the Gainsborough film of 1937, based on interviews with the art director, Alec Vetchinsky, and Colin Abbott, who fired the locomotive (K&ESR No. 2 ‘Northiam’) during filming

23-25

The Hesperus quads
Stephen Garrett
Outlines the history of the four locomotives named ‘Hesperus’ on the Colonel Stephens railways: a rebuilt Neilson 0-4-2ST on the Selsey Tramway, an ‘Ilfracombe Goods’ 0-6-0 on the Shropshire & Montgomeryshire Light Railway (No. 3), a Sharp Stewart 2-4-0T on the Weston, Clevedon & Portishead Light Railway, and a Manning Wardle 0-6-0ST (as rebuilt by the Great Western) on the K&ESR (No. 8)

26-27

From our ticket collection – Hop-pickers’ holiday
Robin Doust
Illustrates and describes two tickets printed for hop-pickers in the 1940s

28

Boats on Newmill Channel
Brian Stephenson
Photograph of a train on the Oxney Straight hauled by No. 23 ‘Holman F. Stephens’ passing sailing boats on the Newmill Channel

Number 15 – Spring 1978

7

Passenger statistics – 1977
Colin Deverell
A total of 37360 passengers were carried in 1977, 6% fewer than in 1976

9-11

All about the membership
The new members secretary gives statistics on the membership of the Tenterden Railway Company from 1971 to 1977.  There were 1540 paid-up members at the end of 1977, compared with 801 at the end of 1971

13-16

Whatever happened to Helen Gibbons?
Report on filming for the BBC Television “Jim’ll Fix It” programme, in which Helen Gibbons was tied to the rails

17-19

Eric Thompson remembers…
John Miller
Eric A Thompson, who was employed on the K&ESR between 1942 and 1954, recalls his work and some of the many characters that he met at Rolvenden during the crucial wartime years

Number 16 – Summer 1978

7-8

Preserving our heritage
Philip Shaw and John Miller
Development plans for the railway section in the Tenterden & District Museum in Station Road

9-11

Trial trip.  Part one – The outward journey
‘Ringing Rock’
A run from Tenterden in the early 1960s with ‘Marcia’ hauling the Sentinel engines ‘Dom’ encountered problems with gorse bushes near Rolvenden and ended with the failure of ‘Marcia’ just before reaching Wittersham Road

11-12

A Finnish connection
Ilkka Hovi
A pair of Ford Model T-based railbuses was delivered to the 1524 mm gauge Raahe railway in northern Finland in 1925, but they were taken out of service in 1927

14-15

Work in progress
Donald H Wilson
Photographs of work at Wittersham Road in preparation for the official reopening of the station on 16 June 1978.  The site was visited by Major C F Rose MBE of the Railway Inspectorate on 24 May 1978

17-20

Eric Thompson remembers…
John Miller
Reminiscences of Eric Thompson who was employed on the K&ESR between 1942 and 1954

21-23

“A peculiar business”
A Michael Davies
The story of a Kerr Stuart ‘Triana’ class 0-6-0T which was ordered for the Selsey Tramway in 1912 and subsequently cancelled

27-28

From our ticket collection – Government Rate
Robin Doust
Two K&ESR “Government Rate” tickets are illustrated and described

Number 17 – Winter 1978

7-9

Trial trip: Part two – Return home
‘Ringing Rock’
Recollections of an expedition from Tenterden Town to bridge 1029 and back in the Sentinel ‘Gervase’ in the early 1960s to recover ‘Marcia’ and ‘Dom’

10

All together again
Brian Stephenson
Photographs of former staff members at the official reopening of Wittersham Road station on 16 June 1978: Archie Judd (Salford Terrace), Tommy Edwards (Salford Terrace), Arthur Iggulden (Salford Terrace), Bill Austen (Salford Terrace), Jack Hoad (driver, K&ESR), Eric Thompson (driver, K&ESR) and Arthur Harris (Tenterden station, K&ESR)

11-16

Wittersham Road – the story of a station
Paul Sutton
The project co-ordinator describes the rebuilt station at Wittersham Road, using materials from several locations including a station building from Borth, near Aberystwyth, coping slabs from Heathfield and railings from Cranbrook.  Includes photographs by Brian Stephenson of the opening ceremony by the Rt Hon Edward Heath MBE MP on 16 June 1978

18-19

What you think of the Tenterden Terrier
Results of a questionnaire distributed with the Tenterden Terrier (about 23% were returned)

21-24

Shropshire sidelines
A Michael Davies and Stephen Garrett
From 1921 until 1933, the Shropshire & Montgomeryshire Light Railway added  to its income by hiring out rowing boats at Crew Green on the Criggion branch and by renting out ‘Commodious Camping Huts’ – ex War Department circular corrugated iron huts – at Crew Green and elsewhere

Number 18 – Spring 1979

9

Passenger numbers 1978
Donald Wilson and Colin Deverell
A total of 50148 passengers were carried in 1978, 34% more than in 1977.  The number of operating days increased from 107 to 121

10-15

Tunnel freight
Paul Sutton
Rolling stock acquired from the Tunnel Cement Company works at West Thurrock in 1978 was a 204hp Hunslet 0-6-0 diesel locomotive (Works No.  4208 of 1948), an LNER 25-ton Engineers Dept. ballast wagon (built in 1940, BR No. DE 544391), an L&NWR 20-ton well wagon (built at Earlstown in 1911), a Barry Railway 10-ton iron van (built in 1913, GWR No. 37449) and an LNER 20-ton brake van (No. 157789, built at Doncaster in 1929).

14

From our ticket collection: Commuting in comfort
Robin Doust
A first-class season ticket between Headcorn and Tenterden, issued in 1916 to L. Lefeaver, Esq.

15-17

The Tenterden Steam & Country Fair
Mark Yonge
This event, on 16-17 September 1978, attracted a total of some 6800 visitors.  Includes photographs of the Fair by Eric Graves

19-22

New light on the Headcorn & Maidstone Junction Light Railway
David Scotney
Research on road and rail public transport in the Maidstone area around 1900 suggests some reasons why this proposed light railway was never built

26-29

Personalities of Colonel Stephens’ railways: Stan Plumley of the Weston, Clevedon and Portishead Railway
Christopher Redwood
Interview with Stan Plumley, who worked on the WC&PR from 1920 until it closed in 1940, first as a fitter and later as a fireman

Number 19 – Summer 1979

9-10

Obituaries – J.A. Iggulden and A.R. Judd
A. Michael Davies and P.D. Shaw
Obituaries of Arthur Iggulden and Archie Judd, who joined the staff at 23 Salford Terrace in 1914 and 1921 respectively

13-15

Up against the buffer stops
Stephen Benett
The company chairman outlines four major projects planned at Tenterden and explains why the need for consolidation make it unlikely that the railway will be extended to Northiam before 1985

16-21

Ilfracombe goods
Stephen Garrett
Outlines the history of this class of ex-London & South Western Railway 060 tender engines built in 1873-80, of which six examples were acquired by Colonel Stephens for use on the K&ESR ('Rother' and 'Juno'), the Shropshire & Montgomeryshire ('Hesperus', 'Pyramus' and 'Thisbe') and the East Kent Light Railway (No.3)

23-24

Brighton freight
George Wright
Recovery of an ex-London Brighton & South Coast Railway 8-ton ventilated van built in 1920 from Crabtree Sidings, Belvedere, by the Thameside area Group

27-30

Cranbrook to Tenterden
Neil Rose
Describes the history of various railway projects in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the Tenterden Railway (Headcorn – Tenterden – Appledore), a Cranbrook & Paddock Wood Railway extension from Cranbrook to Appledore, the Cranbrook, Tenterden & Ashford Light Railway, and the Cranbrook & Tenterden Light Railway

36

From our ticket collection – First class weekend
Robin Doust
Illustrates and describes a blank first-class weekend return ticket from Bodiam, printed by the Southern Railway in about 1932

Number 20 – Winter 1979

9-10

Why signals at Wittersham Road?
Steve Whiteman
Describes the signalling installation proposed for Wittersham Road.  Signals and points will be worked from a 22-lever frame in a signal box structure recovered in 1972 from Deal Junction, between Kearsney and Dover Priory.  See also a letter referring to this article, No. 21, Spring 1980, p.30

12-13

Passengers in the past
Stephen Garrett
Analysis of the numbers of passengers carried annually from 1905 to 1947 (apart from the war years, 1914-1918 and 1939-1945)

15-20

The Fair weekend
Mark Yonge
Report on the Tenterden Steam and Country Fair in September 1979, including some photographs by Brian Stephenson

21-23

The wreck of another 'Hesperus'
Christopher Redwood
Derailment of Weston, Clevedon and Portishead Railway 240T 'Hesperus' when a bridge collapsed under it on the Wharf branch at Wick St Lawrence in 1934.  See also a correction by the author, No.21, Spring 1980, p.29-30

25-27

The commercial view
Donald Wilson
The Manager of the railway's Commercial Department outlines its workings and presents some of his personal views for the future

27

Obituary
Brief report of the death of Arthur Harris on 14 June 1979 at the age of 77.  He joined the K&ESR in 1919 and later became stationmaster at Rolvenden

28-29

From our ticket collection
Robin Doust
Illustrates and describes a cheap market ticket from Junction Road to Robertsbridge Junction and a cheap ticket issued to patients of the Benenden Sanatorium

32-33

Ilfracombe Goods
Three photographs of locomotives of the London & South Western Railway 'Ilfracombe Goods' class while still in L&SWR service

35

'Morous'
A Hawthorn Leslie official photograph of an 060T named 'Gabrielle' in East Kent Railway livery is reproduced and discussed (see also Tenterden Terrier No.75, Spring 1998, p.41 and No.83, Winter 2000, p.24)

Number 21 – Spring 1980

8

Kent & East Sussex motive power at 28th February 1980, after re-numbering
List of locos on the railway

9

Passenger numbers 1979
Colin Deverell
Analysis of passengers carried, showing a total of 45,394, 9% less than in 1978

11-13

Progress at the Buffer Stop Shop
Tony Hocking
Report on activity at the shop at Tenterden Town

15

Traffic census 1979
Dennis Murphy
Summarises the results of a passenger opinion poll, and compares them with the results of a survey in 1975

16-17

The great flood – 1979
John Liddell and Paul Sutton
Photographs (taken on 29 December 1979) and a report on the flooding at Wittersham Road

19-21

Delivering the goods
Stephen Garrett
Analysis of returns of freight traffic given in K&ESR annual reports for years from 1913 to 1947

21-22

From our ticket collection – footboard frolics
Robin Doust
Illustrates paper tickets issued by travelling ticket collectors – Robertsbridge to Junction Road (single) and Robertsbridge Junction to Bodiam (return).  When non-corridor carriages were in use, ticket inspectors made their way between compartments by using the footboards

25

“Sapper”
Paul Sutton
This locomotive (Hunslet Austerity works No. 3797 of 1953) arrived from the Bicester Ordnance Depot (where it was No. 197, “Sapper”) in 1977 and has now been bought by a group of Tenterden Railway Co. members

26-28

To Camber by Diesel
‘Pyramus’ and ‘Thisbe’
Article on a proposal by H.F. Stephens in March 1895 to use an ‘oil motor on a passenger bogie car’ on the Rye & Camber Tramway

Number 22 – Summer 1980

11-12

Taking the test (Part 1)
Simon Green
Training and tests required for promotion to an engine driver

13-14

Work proceeds on the Woodchurch coach
Philip Rimmer
A former London, Chatham & Dover Railway carriage body (SE&CR No.3059) recovered from a farm at Woodchurch in 1976 (see Tenterden Terrier No.11, winter 1976, p.7) has been placed on a modified parcel van underframe

20-21

Trackwork in progress
Photographs of work in the wet cutting and at Northiam level crossing  in 1980

23-27

The Headcorn Extension revisited
Paul Sutton
Illustrated description of a walk along the trackbed of the K&ESR from Tenterden to Headcorn, including photographs of St Michael's Tunnel, High Halden Road station, Frittenden Road station and Biddenden station

29-30

Points of interest
“0334”
Review of correspondence with the Board of Trade in 1909 and 1910 over proposals to divide the Northiam to Rolvenden section with a staff post at Wittersham Road and the Robertsbridge to Northiam section with a staff post and passing siding at Boadiam

31-32

Wealden Pullman – 1980
Doug Lindsay
Describes improvements to the Wealden Pullman dining service, especially as regards Pullman car 'Barbara'

35-38

Passenger stock of the East Kent Light Railways
Stephen Garrett
Detailed history of carriage stock used by the East Kent from 1912 until passenger services ceased in October 1948

Number 23 – Winter 1980

11-13

Taking the test (Part 2)
Simon Green
Continues an account of taking the test for promotion from fireman to engine driver

14-17

Steam at Bodiam – a personal reflection
Neil Rose
Report of an event organised by the Thameside Area Group at Bodiam over the August Bank Holiday weekend of 1980, including a sponsored pump trolley marathon and rides behind Peckett 0-4-0T No.12 'Marcia'.  George Wright adds a note on how the event was made possible

19 and 22

Five in a row
Report on the fifth Tenterden Steam and Country Fair in September 1980

29

Night special
David Dine
Describes the recovery of former first-class Pullman car 'Cambria' from a yard at Beighton, near Sheffield, in June 1980

31-34

Colonel Stephens in the North Downs.  Part 1: The Orpington Cudham and Tatsfield Light Railway
Tom Burnham
H.F. Stephens acted as Engineer for this 7 ½ mile railway, proposed in 1898 and granted a Light Railway Order in 1902.  The line was never built

36-40

Serving the customer in style
George Hubbard
Recollections of a life in railway catering from 1925 to 1975, much of which was in the service of the Pullman Car Company