Santa Specials - a few places left, call now to book!

Santa returns!

Saturday saw the return of Santa Specials to Sittingbourne's Steam Railway.

Steam locomotive Superb operated the first Santa Special since sister engine, Triumph, took what could have been the last ever train on 26th December 2008.

Places are still available for Santa Specials which are running every weekend until Christmas. Tickets cost £9.50 for under 3s and £12 for everyone else. Under 14s get a present from Santa, seasonal refreshments for everyone else.

To book - call 01795 428269

Work Weekend on 27/28th October

We will be holding our first work weekend for the closed season on the above dates. 

Please note that due to PWay work on the viaduct, the works train will leave Milton Regis (Asda) Halt at 10am on both days. 

There is a long list of work to be done including PWay, Loco Engineering, C&W, Preparation for Santa specials, Gardening, Painting, etc etc. All assistance appreciated.

Santa Specials

Bookings are now being taken for Santa Specials. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

Gala Weekend

A fantastic weekend for our 500+ passengers! These photos show some of the trains and unusual formations operated:

Diesel locomotives Victor and Barton Hall double-head a passenger train from Sittingbourne Viaduct

Melior posing on Milton Regis Viaduct, adjacent to Mill Way Roundabout

Leader and Melior double-head the last train from Kemsley Down, the train stops at Milton Regis (Asda) Halt to enable Leader to proceed to Sittingbourne Viaduct on its own, this is due to weight restrictions on Milton Regis Viaduct

Leader and Melior top 'n' tail the empty train to form the first train from Sittingbourne Viaduct. This is the train approaching the Sittingbourne Northern Relief Road bridge, shortly after departure from Kemsley Down

Leader heads the empty train to form the first passenger working from Sittingbourne Viaduct. Melior is still attached to the rear of the train.

Superb approaches Sittingbourne Northern Relief Road bridge from Milton Regis (Asda) Halt

Leader passes Council Crossing bound for Milton Regis (Asda) Halt

Melior about to depart Milton Regis (Asda) Halt enroute to Kemsley Down

Leader and Melior await departure from Kemsley Down, this was the last train of the season 

Several members pose with Melior at Sittingbourne Viaduct, this photo is for the local newspaper

Top 'n' tailing, the empty train back to Kemsley Down on Sunday evening is topped by Superb and tailed by Melior. Here they are passing Mill Way Roundabout on Milton Regis Viaduct

Gala Weekend

The weather looks good for this weekend's end of season Gala Weekend.

Steam locos Leader, Melior & Superb will be in steam and operating passenger trains.

Diesel locos Victor, Edward Lloyd and Barton Hall may put in an appearance too!

This will be the first time we've had three locos in steam since the 1980s. Superb returns to operation after about a decade. Melior returned to service in July after about two months for boiler exam and retubing. Leader returned to service in May operating the first trains into Sittingbourne Viaduct since 2008 and her first trains since 1981ish!

Trains will run regularly from 11am until 4pm both days - see www.sklr.net for details. Our usual fares apply including the rover supplement if you fancy more than one trip.

SKLR Podcast #8 - Part 6

The final part of the 8th Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Podcast sees our long awaited return to Sittingbourne Viaduct station.

Keep watching after the credits for a behind the scenes look at the making if the SKLR Podcast.

Gala Weekend teaser trailer

Superb September poster

Sittingbourne Paper Mill water tower

The last remaining structure on the former Sittingbourne Paper Mill main site was consigned to history yesterday morning as it was demolished by controlled explosion.

Here are some before and after pictures.

Sittingbourne's Steam Railway's Superb September

Here's what's going on during the last month of the 2012 Season

SKLR Podcast #8 - Part 5

Back in Town this Sunday

We are delighted to announce the reopening of the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway on Sunday 27th May. Trains will depart Sittingbourne Viaduct station at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm and Milton Regis (Asda) Halt five minutes later. These will be the first public trains to depart this station since Boxing Day 2008. Steam locomotive 'Leader', in a distinctive red livery, will haul the trains, the first time this engine has operated passenger trains since 1981. After the 15 minute journey, we arrive at Kemsley Down, adjacent to the paper mill and Milton Creek, here we have a small exhibits museum, museum walk static locos and wagons, Footplate Café and shop. There are picnic areas and gardens to enjoy too. Trains return at 1.35pm, 2.35pm, 3.35pm and 4.40pm. Please visit our website for further information www.sklr.net

SKLR Newsflash

We very much regret that due to the very recent discovery of hazardous materials in premises adjacent to the Railway we have been told that we are unable to operate trains until further notice. 

We are just as upset as we expect you are at this situation and are doing our utmost to start running trains as soon as we can.

Please check our website for details at www.sklr.net

Back in Town this Friday!

Trains will be running again from Good Friday.

On Sunday 1st April, at the end of a busy day preparing the Railway for reopening, Leader arrived on the evening Works Train from Kemsley Down. This was a test run as the loco had only passed its steam test earlier in the week.

This was the first time in over 31 years that Leader has left Kemsley Down.

SKLR Podcast #8 - Part 3

This is the third of five parts which will be released every other Wednesday. The complete podcast consists of a virtual return journey between Sittingbourne Viaduct and Kemsley Down.

This third part includes updates on the following:

• Carriage & Wagon
• Permanent Way
• Gardening & Landscaping
• Engine Shed
• Admin Block - some non-departmental items
• Newsprint - our press cuttings

Please email feedback to stopem@stopem.net

Running time: 12m 51s

SKLR Podcast 8

Over the last few years, I have been writing and producing the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Podcast. The first one of 2012 is Podcast 8, which is split into five segments and represents a virtual return trip on the line between Sittingbourne Viaduct and Kemsley Down stations.

Here's the first two parts of the current podcast - more will appear here as they are released. You can also subscribe to them on iTunes or at www.youtube.com/stopem

60 days to go...

The Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway's reopening is just 60 days away now - there's still lots to do in preparation.

If you'd like to help out please visit our Facebook Group page www.facebook.com/groups/SandKLR

There's a separate blog at www.stopem.net for the Picture of the Day, which can also be received by following @SandKLR on Twitter.

2012 Season

The Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway is pleased to announce its 2012 Season will start on Good Friday, 6th April, with the reopening of Sittingbourne Viaduct station.

Trains will run on Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, then every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday until the end of September.

Full details can be found at www.sklr.net where you can also download copies of our timetable, car stickers and poster.

This blog page will now be used regularly so please join and follow us on our Return to Sittingbourne Viaduct.