Official Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Photographs http://photos.stopem.net/ 17 rows en-gb 60 June Work Weekend http://photos.stopem.net/c1720030.html The June Work Weekend saw the movement of 'Melior' and Coach 647 to Preston, near Canterbury, in preparation for the Preston Rally over the last weekend of the month. Wednesday 1 July 2009: The June Work Weekend saw the movement of 'Melior' and Coach 647 to Preston, near Canterbury, in preparation for the Preston Rally over the last weekend of the month.

Published in Official Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Photographs

]]> Wed Jul 1 2009 May Work Weekend http://photos.stopem.net/c1707766.html May Work Weekend Thursday 4 June 2009: May Work Weekend

Moving rails for use at the Preston Steam Rally on the last weekend of June

Published in Official Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Photographs

]]> Thu Jun 4 2009 April Work Weekend http://photos.stopem.net/c1707726.html April Work Weekend Thursday 4 June 2009: April Work Weekend

Moving rails for use at the Preston Steam Rally on the last weekend of June Moving rails for use at the Preston Steam Rally on the last weekend of June Moving rails for use at the Preston Steam Rally on the last weekend of June Moving rails for use at the Preston Steam Rally on the last weekend of June Moving rails for use at the Preston Steam Rally on the last weekend of June Moving rails for use at the Preston Steam Rally on the last weekend of June Moving rails for use at the Preston Steam Rally on the last weekend of June Moving rails for use at the Preston Steam Rally on the last weekend of June Moving rails for use at the Preston Steam Rally on the last weekend of June Moving rails for use at the Preston Steam Rally on the last weekend of June Moving rails for use at the Preston Steam Rally on the last weekend of June Moving rails for use at the Preston Steam Rally on the last weekend of June

Published in Official Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Photographs

]]> Thu Jun 4 2009 March 2009 Work Weekend http://photos.stopem.net/c1677351.html The March Work Weekend saw work being carried out on 'Leader' and 'Superb' in the engine shed, Coach 647 in the Carriage & Wagon Siding, some signalling equipment for future use and the PWay trying to fix a problem with the points they refurbished in January. Sunday 5 April 2009: The March Work Weekend saw work being carried out on 'Leader' and 'Superb' in the engine shed, Coach 647 in the Carriage & Wagon Siding, some signalling equipment for future use and the PWay trying to fix a problem with the points they refurbished in January.

The penultimate ex-Br container on the Railway has been removed from Wagon 18 to allow a newer ISO standard one to take its place The penultimate ex-Br container on the Railway has been removed from Wagon 18 to allow a newer ISO standard one to take its place Wagon 655 in the Ridham-end sidings The new 20ft ISO container atop Wagon 18 on the Transfer Siding at Kemsley Down The new 20ft ISO container atop Wagon 18 on the Transfer Siding at Kemsley Down The penultimate ex-Br container on the Railway has been removed from Wagon 18 to allow a newer ISO standard one to take its place The penultimate ex-Br container on the Railway has been removed from Wagon 18 to allow a newer ISO standard one to take its place

Published in Official Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Photographs

]]> Sun Apr 5 2009 February 2009 Work Weekend http://photos.stopem.net/c1657673.html Photographs of the Saturday of the February Work Weekend. Trackwork is progressing on the points at the entrance to Kemsley Down station. The points being worked on last month have been completed and even the weeds are growing back! Refurbishment of Coach 647 is progressing well with the steelwork at the Ridham-end of the vehicle. The side rods have been taken off 'Premier' for use on 'Leader', this will enable the latter's original rodding to be refurbished. Sunday 22 February 2009: Photographs of the Saturday of the February Work Weekend. Trackwork is progressing on the points at the entrance to Kemsley Down station. The points being worked on last month have been completed and even the weeds are growing back! Refurbishment of Coach 647 is progressing well with the steelwork at the Ridham-end of the vehicle. The side rods have been taken off 'Premier' for use on 'Leader', this will enable the latter's original rodding to be refurbished.

The 'Top Point' at Kemsley Down is being refurbished by the Permanent Way Dept with the help of some Junior Members 'Barton Hall' moves 'Premier' to enable some protection work to be carried out Loco line up: 'Unique', 'Alpha', 'Premier' and 'Barton Hall' stand in Museum Siding with 'Victor' standing on the nearby Diesel Road 'Premier's' side rods are being prepared for use on 'Leader' The rods have been dismantled and degreased for a clean fit onto 'Leader' Last month's track project was the refurbishment of these points - the weeds have already grown back! Last month's track project was the refurbishment of these points - the weeds have already grown back! Coach 647 now has an access hatch to allow the Carriage & Wagon staff to oil the coupling pivot Coach 647 is the centre of attention by the Carriage & Wagon Department - there's undercoat painting, welding and steel cutting all going on here

Published in Official Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Photographs

]]> Sun Feb 22 2009 January 2009 Work Weekend http://photos.stopem.net/c1656203.html A small selection of photos taken during the Work Weekend in January 2009. The steam locos are stored safely in the engine shed and work progresses on Coach 647 which is being refurbished. Thursday 19 February 2009: A small selection of photos taken during the Work Weekend in January 2009. The steam locos are stored safely in the engine shed and work progresses on Coach 647 which is being refurbished.

Published in Official Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Photographs

]]> Thu Feb 19 2009 Santa Specials 2008 - the last day of operation? http://photos.stopem.net/c1636615.html Boxing Day, 26th December 2008, could have been the last day for the public operation of the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway. Unless we Save Our Steam railway (see SOS Campaign) the Railway will not reopen in April 2009 but, instead, be forced to clear the site. Negotiations are currently underway with our landlords and the land sales agent. Please send a message of support or make a donation/purchase SOS Merchandise or display a poster or car sticker to show your support at this difficult time. See http://www.sklr.net for more information. Sunday 11 January 2009: Boxing Day, 26th December 2008, could have been the last day for the public operation of the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway. Unless we Save Our Steam railway (see SOS Campaign) the Railway will not reopen in April 2009 but, instead, be forced to clear the site. Negotiations are currently underway with our landlords and the land sales agent. Please send a message of support or make a donation/purchase SOS Merchandise or display a poster or car sticker to show your support at this difficult time. See http://www.sklr.net for more information.

'Triumph' hauls a train to Kemsley Down across Milton Regis Viaduct 'Triumph' hauls a train to Kemsley Down across Milton Regis Viaduct The last public train of 2008 waits departure time at Sittingbourne Viaduct station The last public train of 2008 waits departure time at Sittingbourne Viaduct station The last public train of 2008 waits departure time at Sittingbourne Viaduct station People stop to watch or photograph the last public train of 2008 'Triumph' rounding a curve on Milton Regis Viaduct 'Melior' stands outside the engine shed at Kemsley Down 'Triumph' in Platform 1 at Kemsley Down 'Triumph' running round the train at Kemsley Down The winter sun sets as 'Triumph' runs round the train at Kemsley Down Kemsley Paper Mill was non-operational over Christmas which led to flooding at the level crossing at Kemsley Down 'Triumph' runs round at Sittingbourne Viaduct station The winter sun sets over redundant paper mill as 'Triumph' prepares for the last staff train to Kemsley Down of 2008 Keith Twyman drove 'Triumph' on the first passenger train 40 years ago, has he driven the last? We hope not - visit http://www.sklr.net for more information

Published in Official Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Photographs

]]> Sun Jan 11 2009 Andrew Wilton Memorial Day & Bowaters Light Railway Handover 39th Anniversary http://photos.stopem.net/c1602004.html SKLR member Andrew Wilton died earlier in 2008, the weekend after the end of the Season saw members of the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway and Kent & East Sussex Railway (Andrew was a working member there too!) had a day playing trains and remembering a good friend. This day also coincided with the 39th Anniversary of the handover of Bowaters Light Railway to the Locomotive Club of Great Britain. The original headboard was carried by 'Triumph' all day. Monday 27 October 2008: SKLR member Andrew Wilton died earlier in 2008, the weekend after the end of the Season saw members of the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway and Kent & East Sussex Railway (Andrew was a working member there too!) had a day playing trains and remembering a good friend. This day also coincided with the 39th Anniversary of the handover of Bowaters Light Railway to the Locomotive Club of Great Britain. The original headboard was carried by 'Triumph' all day.

'Triumph' leaves Kemsley Down with the original handover headboard 'Victor', 'Barton Hall' and 'Edward Lloyd' at Kemsley Down

Published in Official Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Photographs

]]> Mon Oct 27 2008 Gala Weekend 2008 http://photos.stopem.net/c1599572.html These are the best of the Gala Weekend photos for 2008. This could have been the last weekend passengers could turn up and go on the trains, it was with a heavy heart that the passengers left the last train, many stopped to watch the empty train depart for the last time. The Railway will still be operating Santa Specials for the weekends leading up to Christmas with the final day of operation on Boxing Day - check the website for more info http://www.sklr.net and also to see the latest news on our fight to Save Our Steam railway. Sorry for the delay uploading them, I've been so busy with the SOS Campaign that I hadn't realised they still needed to be uploaded. Wednesday 22 October 2008: These are the best of the Gala Weekend photos for 2008. This could have been the last weekend passengers could turn up and go on the trains, it was with a heavy heart that the passengers left the last train, many stopped to watch the empty train depart for the last time. The Railway will still be operating Santa Specials for the weekends leading up to Christmas with the final day of operation on Boxing Day - check the website for more info http://www.sklr.net and also to see the latest news on our fight to Save Our Steam railway. Sorry for the delay uploading them, I've been so busy with the SOS Campaign that I hadn't realised they still needed to be uploaded.

'Barton Hall' arrives at Sittingbourne Viaduct station with a passenger train Passengers queuing for tickets 'Melior' stands in the loop at Sittingbourne Viaduct waiting for a passenger train to arrive - so are the passengers! 'Triumph' arrives at Sittingbourne Viaduct station with a passenger train

Published in Official Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Photographs

]]> Wed Oct 22 2008 SOS - Save Our SKLR / Save Our Steam railway http://photos.stopem.net/c1571243.html The Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway could be forced to close down on Boxing Day, 26th December 2008, unless there is a dramatic change to circumstances. Future trains are very unlikely unless the current land owners M-real change their minds and allow the Railway to buy the land over which it operated. Perhaps they were running Sittingbourne paper mill at a loss and did need to cease production but did this Finnish company have to have total disregard for the history that they were entrusted with? This history goes back nearly 150 years to the day when Edward Lloyd first started paper production in Sittingbourne and which carried on successfully via Bowater's and UK Paper. Sittingbourne's Steam Railway was given notice to quit the land on which it operates at the beginning of 2008 when their landlords Messrs M-real decided to pull out of Sittingbourne including closing Sittingbourne paper mill, which is currently up for sale. The railways licence to operate on the land expires on 28th January, 2009. By that date we are supposed to remove all the locomotives, coaches, wagons, buildings and all other paraphernalia. How can a charity that has struggled to survive for most of the 40 years it has operated afford to make such a move and where to? Following on from an idea from one of the railways junior members a poster/car sticker campaign has being launched - you can download a SOS (Save Our Steam railway) poster or car sticker now from our website (http://www.sklr.net) or collect them from the Railway. We are asking the public to display these in their windows, on their cars, everywhere. To contribute to the Fighting Fund to pay for legal fees, posters, advertisements etc please visit http://www.justgiving.com/sklr or send cheques payable to SKLR to SKLR (SOS Campaign), PO Box 300, Sittingbourne, ME10 2DZ. Please also send letters of support to that address or email info@sklr.net or join the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway group page on Facebook. Only public opinion can save what is South East England's only preserved former industrial narrow gauge railway. Your opinion counts. Sunday 31 August 2008: The Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway could be forced to close down on Boxing Day, 26th December 2008, unless there is a dramatic change to circumstances. Future trains are very unlikely unless the current land owners M-real change their minds and allow the Railway to buy the land over which it operated. Perhaps they were running Sittingbourne paper mill at a loss and did need to cease production but did this Finnish company have to have total disregard for the history that they were entrusted with? This history goes back nearly 150 years to the day when Edward Lloyd first started paper production in Sittingbourne and which carried on successfully via Bowater's and UK Paper. Sittingbourne's Steam Railway was given notice to quit the land on which it operates at the beginning of 2008 when their landlords Messrs M-real decided to pull out of Sittingbourne including closing Sittingbourne paper mill, which is currently up for sale. The railways licence to operate on the land expires on 28th January, 2009. By that date we are supposed to remove all the locomotives, coaches, wagons, buildings and all other paraphernalia. How can a charity that has struggled to survive for most of the 40 years it has operated afford to make such a move and where to? Following on from an idea from one of the railways junior members a poster/car sticker campaign has being launched - you can download a SOS (Save Our Steam railway) poster or car sticker now from our website (http://www.sklr.net) or collect them from the Railway. We are asking the public to display these in their windows, on their cars, everywhere. To contribute to the Fighting Fund to pay for legal fees, posters, advertisements etc please visit http://www.justgiving.com/sklr or send cheques payable to SKLR to SKLR (SOS Campaign), PO Box 300, Sittingbourne, ME10 2DZ. Please also send letters of support to that address or email info@sklr.net or join the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway group page on Facebook. Only public opinion can save what is South East England's only preserved former industrial narrow gauge railway. Your opinion counts.

Lord Faulkner of Worcester visited the Railway on behalf of the Heritage Railway Committee

Published in Official Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Photographs

]]> Sun Aug 31 2008 Story Time with 'Ivor the Engine' http://photos.stopem.net/c1567648.html Peter Firmin, co-creator of 'Ivor the Engine', visited the Railway to see a narrow gauge 'Ivor' for the first time. Saturday was a record breaking day with more passengers than last year. You will notice SOS posters in some of the photos, please see the SOS Campaign collection for more information - we need your help to save the Railway from closure in January 2009. I took two different cameras today so there will be a delay posting the larger, quality photos as they need processing from the original RAW format. Monday 25 August 2008: Peter Firmin, co-creator of 'Ivor the Engine', visited the Railway to see a narrow gauge 'Ivor' for the first time. Saturday was a record breaking day with more passengers than last year. You will notice SOS posters in some of the photos, please see the SOS Campaign collection for more information - we need your help to save the Railway from closure in January 2009. I took two different cameras today so there will be a delay posting the larger, quality photos as they need processing from the original RAW format.

'Ivor the Engine' with the open coach 'Triumph', 'Ivor' and 'Barton Hall' line up at Kemsley Down 'Triumph' departs Kemsley Down 'Melior' in Platform 1 at Kemsley Down 'Ivor the Engine' runnning into Platform 1 at Kemsley Down 'Triumph' running round the train at Sittingbourne Viaduct station 'Triumph' outside the Engine Shed at Kemsley Down Peter Firmin, co-creator of 'Ivor the Engine' posing for local press photos at Kemsley Down 'Barton Hall' takes 'Ivor the Engine' to the Museum sidings 'Ivor the Engine' pulls a special train through Platform 2, Triumph stands in Plat.1 and Barton Hall on the Museum sidings

Published in Official Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Photographs

]]> Mon Aug 25 2008 Model Rail Day 2008 http://photos.stopem.net/c1567238.html The annual Model Rail Day was a great success, despite the wind trying to blow the marquees away! A number of guest layouts joined the Railway's usual layouts for the free model railway exhibition at Kemsley Down. Sunday 24 August 2008: The annual Model Rail Day was a great success, despite the wind trying to blow the marquees away! A number of guest layouts joined the Railway's usual layouts for the free model railway exhibition at Kemsley Down.

Triumph arrives at Sittingbourne Viaduct station Triumph departs Sittingbourne Viaduct station The G Scale garden railway in action Miniature narrow gauge steam Tinplate O Gauge A model of a typical paper train which used to operate between Sittingbourne and Ridham A model of a similar loco to the prototype beyond

Published in Official Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Photographs

]]> Sun Aug 24 2008 Story Time with 'Jack the Station Cat' and 'Edward Bear' 2008 http://photos.stopem.net/c1507798.html The Railway's annual Story Time event featuring 'Jack the Station Cat' and 'Edward Bear' coincided with the best weather so far this season which brought in more visitors to the event than last year on both days. 'Jack the Station Cat' stars in a series of books written by Alan Cliff. The Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway was the first railway to be granted a license to operate such an event and is featured in one of the books as the Llanberis & Sittingbourne Extension Railway. For this event Sittingbourne Viaduct station becomes 'Tails End' and Kemsley Down, 'Much Purring'. See the link on the right of the front page for more information on 'Jack the Station Cat'. 'Edward Bear' is a member of the Railway and features in his own series of books written by Barry Langford and availabole only from the Railway. The August bank holiday weekend will see the return of Story Time with 'Ivor the Engine' following the resounding success of last year's event. Friday 9 May 2008: The Railway's annual Story Time event featuring 'Jack the Station Cat' and 'Edward Bear' coincided with the best weather so far this season which brought in more visitors to the event than last year on both days. 'Jack the Station Cat' stars in a series of books written by Alan Cliff. The Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway was the first railway to be granted a license to operate such an event and is featured in one of the books as the Llanberis & Sittingbourne Extension Railway. For this event Sittingbourne Viaduct station becomes 'Tails End' and Kemsley Down, 'Much Purring'. See the link on the right of the front page for more information on 'Jack the Station Cat'. 'Edward Bear' is a member of the Railway and features in his own series of books written by Barry Langford and availabole only from the Railway. The August bank holiday weekend will see the return of Story Time with 'Ivor the Engine' following the resounding success of last year's event.

'Triumph' at Much Purring/Kemsley Down 'Triumph' waits to leave for Tails End/Sittingbourne Viaduct, 'Melior' will then give footplate rides in the station area 'Suzie' stands by the coal stage to welcome arriving passengers Spring is here! The display wagon advertises some of the forthcoming events 'Jack the Station Cat' waves to another trainload of passengers 'Melior' shortly after arrival at Tails End/Sittingbourne Viaduct Having run round the train, 'Melior' is ready for the trip back to Much Purring/Kemsley Down 'Triumph' poses with 'Jack the Station Cat' 'Triumph' passing over the viaduct adjacent to Mill Way 'Triumph' passing over the viaduct adjacent to Mill Way

Published in Official Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Photographs

]]> Fri May 9 2008 Sunday 6th April 2008 - Snowy Sunday http://photos.stopem.net/c1489919.html I've never managed to get a picture of the Railway in snow before - and this is the Summer Season! Tuesday 8 April 2008: I've never managed to get a picture of the Railway in snow before - and this is the Summer Season!

Published in Official Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Photographs

]]> Tue Apr 8 2008 Commercial freight traffic returns to Sittingbourne's Steam Railway http://photos.stopem.net/c1489280.html For the first time since 1969, the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway is operating scheduled freight trains. National Grid is refurbishing the high voltage power lines between Canterbury and Kemsley so the Railway is running a freight train to the site to save the laying of a temporary road across the marshes. UPDATED: I have taken some photos, from the train, showing the work that had been carried out to Monday 5th May. The scaffolding has been erected into towers so that the cables can be lowered without blocking the railway and the insulators on the Sittingbourne-side of the pylons have been replaced. Monday 7 April 2008: For the first time since 1969, the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway is operating scheduled freight trains. National Grid is refurbishing the high voltage power lines between Canterbury and Kemsley so the Railway is running a freight train to the site to save the laying of a temporary road across the marshes. UPDATED: I have taken some photos, from the train, showing the work that had been carried out to Monday 5th May. The scaffolding has been erected into towers so that the cables can be lowered without blocking the railway and the insulators on the Sittingbourne-side of the pylons have been replaced.

'Barton Hall' at Council Crossing with two flat wagons and the Bowater brake coach. The train was split so that the scaffolding truck could load the wagons from the centre. Loading underway. The complete freight train then proceeded to Electricity Crossing where the pylon undergoing refurbishment is located. The insulators on the right hand side of the pylons have been replaced The scaffolding has been erected A net covers the void between the two scaffold towers which allows cabling to be lowered without dropping onto the railway The pylons were erected back in the 1980s, the original pylons stood to the left, nearer Electricity Crossing

Published in Official Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Photographs

]]> Mon Apr 7 2008 Easter Sunday 2008 http://photos.stopem.net/c1480637.html The Railway reopened to the public on Good Friday, 21st March, unfortunately the weather was terrible this weekend and passenger figures suffered accordingly. These photos were taken at near freezing temperatures and so 'Triumph' looks like she's leaking steam at every joint! Monday 24 March 2008: The Railway reopened to the public on Good Friday, 21st March, unfortunately the weather was terrible this weekend and passenger figures suffered accordingly. These photos were taken at near freezing temperatures and so 'Triumph' looks like she's leaking steam at every joint!

'Triumph' pulls away from Kemsley Down Platform 1 'Triumph' departs Kemsley Down station 'Triumph' and 'Barton Hall' at Kemsley Down 'Triumph' shrouded by steam 'Triumph' awaiting departure from Kemsley Down

Published in Official Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Photographs

]]> Mon Mar 24 2008 February 2008 Work Weekend http://photos.stopem.net/c1465233.html The last proper work weekend before the start of the 2008 Season on Good Friday. There's been loads going on from painting and stripping (paint that is!) to testing 'Triumph' following the winter's work and cleaning 'Melior' inside and out (firebox included). Kemsley Down is looking fantastic with less than a month until the first visitors of 2008 arrive. We're ready, are you?! Sunday 24 February 2008: The last proper work weekend before the start of the 2008 Season on Good Friday. There's been loads going on from painting and stripping (paint that is!) to testing 'Triumph' following the winter's work and cleaning 'Melior' inside and out (firebox included). Kemsley Down is looking fantastic with less than a month until the first visitors of 2008 arrive. We're ready, are you?!

Published in Official Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Photographs

]]> Sun Feb 24 2008