Christmas 2010

I can remember sitting in my office last year thinking is it going to be safe to operate with all this snow around? I took the decision that it was and with a lot of hard work from a few volunteers we set to making the place safe. One of our younger volunteers brought his Land Rover in to tow a few cars out of the car park. We used up our supply of winter grit and we got by with only one slip. Unfortunately some of our customers could not get to us because they were snowed in, in side roads, but the main roads were cleared by KCC and ESCC and access to Tenterden and the K&ESR was ok.
Déjà vu!

This year again a few dedicated volunteers helped clear the platform and yard and entrance to the car park, and then with the help of a serious amount of rain on December 3rd the place was clear. Again a few customers could not make it because they were still snowed in to their side roads but most made it and had a wonderful time. We have had some lovely e-mails and letters of thanks. Thank you for these – it delights our staff (who are mainly volunteers) when we know we have given visitors a great time.

It was a shame we had a telephone complaint from a lady who rang up to say her party could not make it because her car had broken down. This apparently was all our fault as it wouldn’t have broken down if she had not been coming to K&ESR. I must remember to alter our terms and conditions to deny responsibility for people’s cars breaking down!!

Last year we had some new promotional videos recorded and the Santa Specials showed the snow and the steam trains looked fantastic. Little did we know we were going to replicate that experience this year – and as I write this there is the suggestion there will be more this weekend.

We will certainly operate if we can. Steam engines do not suffer the same was a this region’s main line service as of course there is no “third rail” to freeze over. SE trains have come in for a lot of stick for their lack of service. My view is that the weather is not their fault. Sending their de-icing trains off for overhaul in the autumn/winter does not, however, appear to be the best decision!

We have nearly completed phase one of our Carriage Shed development and the shed will be operational in January. We have run out of funds to complete this however, and to enable phase two to take place we need to raise some more cash. Thanks to everybody who has helped us, financially and/or in terms of labour, so far.

We are looking forward to 2011 now, and I have to say that I am excited about running over the Bodiam West extension (Rother Valley Railway metals) to Junction Road on March 19th/20th. We will be selling tickets for this early in the New Year. We will operate with 45 minute departures from Tenterden starting 10.30am, two steam sets (one vintage) and the DMMU. My personal preference is for a trip on the DMMU because the visibility is so good. Steam services will be topped and tailed between Northiam and Junction Road and trains will not stop Southbound(Outward) at Bodiam but the will stop on the return leg. The first departure of the Saturday may well be pre-booked so please watch the web-site.

Finally may I take this opportunity to wish all our customers, members, regular readers of this blog, and your families a very Happy Christmas and all the best for 2011.