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New Locomotive Shed - Your Donation Counts
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BRONZE SILVER GOLD PLATINUM
Reconstruction of the 3.5 mile long missing link will extend the Kent & East Sussex Railway from its current terminus at Bodiam, in the shadow of the National Trust castle, through to Robertsbridge Junction Station and the mainline railway network. The £6m missing link construction project is being funded through the very kind generosity of three donors and well underway.
What’s not yet funded?
The completion of the facilities that will be needed at the new Robertsbridge Junction Station terminus. We need your support to ensure that, by the time the railway is ready to open, Robertsbridge is properly equipped to receive its first passengers on the extended railway.
What are those facilities?
Phase 1: The Station Building
Thanks to many supporters the £500,000 cost is already covered and construction is on the way to completion.
Phase 2: The Locomotive Shed and Servicing Facilities
Your donation will help to achieve the £600,000 needed. We have raised over a quarter of the cost and seek your help to raise the rest of the money to get the job done.
Phase 3: The Carriage Shed: Coming soon
Let’s get the loco facilities done first - but watch this space!
Shed Project Progress - Station Building
The illustration above shows visiting locomotive ‘Britannia’ at Robertsbridge in May 2024, sat on the historic ex-Hither Green turntable, already installed on-site along with the new railway tracks. An artist’s impression adds a broad idea of the new locomotive shed to be built alongside.
The locomotive shed is far more than a mere building. It will mean a more flexible and efficient heritage train service from Robertsbridge to Tenterden which will benefit passengers arriving by the mainline.
The facility will comprise not just an engine shed, but inspection pits for the loco crew to get underneath to prepare the locomotive, with coaling and fuelling servicing points for steam and diesel locomotives. Also included will be comfortable staff rest and wash rooms. Public access to viewing areas within the shed will help add to visitor enjoyment. Solar panel power generation will be installed to help minimise whole site energy costs.
It’s going to cost £600,000 to provide all of that. We’ve already got £250,000 from gifts and grants. Given your financial help to raise the balance of £350,000, we will provide a facility we can all be proud of.
Outstanding progress has been made in bringing the dream of a new station building at Robertsbridge Junction to life.
Thanks to the support and generosity of private charitable trusts and legacies we’ve been able to fund and complete the structure of this building.
Interior fit-out of the building is now starting to get underway. This will provide a traditional style in the main area with booking office, souvenir shop and light refreshment facilities.
The northern end of the building already has fully finished toilets. We truly believe the quality of those facilities are probably the best you’ll find at any heritage railway across the UK, perhaps even further afield!
A new access route from the car park is also underway, incorporating a wheelchair-accessible ramp up to the station building which, along with landscaping, is planned to be complete by spring 2026. The New Locomotive
Do come and see the latest construction progress on Sundays from 10am.
