|
Illustrated History of Kent & East Sussex Railway by John Scott-Morgan
Illustrated History of Kent & East Sussex Railway by John Scott-Morgan
Hard Cover with dust jacket
Copyright 2007
112 pages
Contents
Introduction
A trip along the line
Motive power
Carriage stock
Passenger-train formations
Brake vans
Goods wagons and miscellaneous rolling stock The line after nationalisation
Last trip from Headcorn Junction
Last day of passenger services
Freight-only
Dismantling of the Headcorn extension Last year of the Rother Valley line
AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY
OF THE
KENT & EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY
John Scott-Morgan
The Kent & East Sussex Railway is today one of Britain's leading preserved railways, and the history of this light railway prior to preservation is fascinating.
The 1896 Light Railways Act had allowed for the construction of lines to less exacting standards and was responsible for the final great burst of railway construction in Britain. Among the lines that were constructed as a result of the Act was the Rother Valley Railway from Robertsbridge to Tenterden (or Rolvenden, as it became with the extension of the line to Tenterden itself in 1903), which opened on 2 April 1900. The line became the Kent & East Sussex with the opening of the extension northward to Headcorn in 1905. Engineer of the line was the famous proponent of light railways, Holman Fred Stephens, and his involvement in the line from its construction until his death in 1931 ensured that the line became the epitome of the classic English light railway. It remained an independent line until Nationalisation in 1948, but by the 1950s harsh economic realities were making themselves felt, and passenger services were withdrawn on 2 January 1954, at which time the line north from Tenterden closed completely. The southern section survived for almost another decade until final closure in 1961; there then ensued a long and bitter struggle to see the line preserved, following which the first services, running for two miles from Tenterden, commenced in 1974. Today the preserved line operates as far as Bodiam, and there are plans to restore the connection to the main line at Robertsbridge.
John Scott-Morgan is one of Britain's foremost commentators on the history of Britain's light and narrow-gauge railways, and over the years he has gathered together an impressive archive of material relating, in particular, to the lines built, owned or operated by Colonel Stephens. Drawing upon this archive, An Illustrated History of the Kent & East Sussex Railway provides a comprehensive account of the history and operation of the line. Supplementing the comprehensive selection of photographs are line drawings, produced from an original survey undertaken by British Railways when it acquired the line in 1948, that record the track plans and buildings of the line in the era prior to the withdrawal of passenger services and the closure of the Tenterden-Headcorn section.
With the Kent & East Sussex Railway now firmly established as one of the top preserved railways in the United Kingdom, this detailed examination of the history of the line in the era before preservation will appeal to all those interested in the history of
All pictures are of the actual item. There may be reflection from the lights in some photos. We try to take photos of any damage. If this is a railroad item, this material is obsolete and no longer in use by the railroad. Please email with questions. Publishers of Train Shed Cyclopedias and Stephans Railroad Directories. Large inventory of railroad books and magazines. Thank you for buying from us.
Shipping charges
US Shipments: When you add multiple items to your cart, the reduced shipping charges will automatically be calculated. .
Non US Shipments: For direct postage rates to these countries, send me an email. Shipping varies by weight.
Payment options
Payment must be received within 7 days. Paypal is accepted.
Terms and conditions
All sales are final. Returns accepted if item is not as described. Contact us before making a return. No warranty is stated or implied. Please e-mail us with any questions before bidding or buying.
Thanks for looking at our items.
| 
