Rolvenden railway station
Encyclopedia
Rolvenden railway station is a heritage railway station on the Kent and East Sussex Railway
in Tenterden
, Kent
, in the United Kingdom
.
first opened the railway Rolvenden served as his locomotive workshop in a similar capacity to today. However the limited machinery and space meant during the 1930s it became harder to overhaul the line's ageing fleet. Most engines were sent to Ashford works to be overhauled.
Rolvenden was part of the original heritage railway that also ran to Tenterden. It now has a passing loop and a water tower.
's loco department who are responsible for the restoration and maintenance of steam engines owned by the railway. The loco department is one of the most crucial contributors to the railway's success. The site consists of a two track shed which has enough space for around 4 locomotives. The railway also owns the field next to it and has plans to use at least part of it as a car park. Rolvenden is also the coaling depot and this is where all the locomotives are prepared for a days work.
Kent and East Sussex Railway
The Kent & East Sussex Railway refers to both an historical private railway company in Kent and Sussex in England, as well as a heritage railway currently running on part of the route of the historical company.-Historical Company:-Background:...
in Tenterden
Tenterden
Tenterden is a Cinque Port town in the Ashford District of Kent, England. It stands on the edge of the Weald, overlooking the valley of the River Rother....
, Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
, in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
History
The station was originally opened as Tenterden but was renamed Rolvenden in 1903 when the current Tenterden Town station opened. The name Rolvenden is not really appropriate, the station is 2 miles from the village and is closer to Tenterden. When Colonel StephensH. F. Stephens
Colonel Holman Fred Stephens was a British light railway civil engineer and manager. During his lifetime he was engaged in engineering and building, and later managing, 16 light railways in England and Wales.- Biography :...
first opened the railway Rolvenden served as his locomotive workshop in a similar capacity to today. However the limited machinery and space meant during the 1930s it became harder to overhaul the line's ageing fleet. Most engines were sent to Ashford works to be overhauled.
Rolvenden was part of the original heritage railway that also ran to Tenterden. It now has a passing loop and a water tower.
Current use
Currently the station is home to the Kent and East Sussex RailwayKent and East Sussex Railway
The Kent & East Sussex Railway refers to both an historical private railway company in Kent and Sussex in England, as well as a heritage railway currently running on part of the route of the historical company.-Historical Company:-Background:...
's loco department who are responsible for the restoration and maintenance of steam engines owned by the railway. The loco department is one of the most crucial contributors to the railway's success. The site consists of a two track shed which has enough space for around 4 locomotives. The railway also owns the field next to it and has plans to use at least part of it as a car park. Rolvenden is also the coaling depot and this is where all the locomotives are prepared for a days work.
Locomotives in residence
- Number 3 LB&SCR A1 ClassLB&SCR A1 ClassThe London, Brighton and South Coast Railway A1 Class is an English class of 0-6-0T steam locomotive. Designed by William Stroudley, 50 members of the class were built in 1872 and between 1874 and 1880, all at Brighton Works. The class have received several nicknames, initially being known as...
0-6-0T (Terrier) 'Bodiam'. In service. - Number 8 LB&SCR A1 Class 0-6-0T (Terrier) 'Knowle'. In service
- Number 11 SECR P ClassSECR P ClassThe South Eastern and Chatham Railway P Class is a class of 0-6-0T steam locomotive designed by Harry Wainwright.They were inspired by, and loosely based on, the more successful LB&SCR A1 Class "Terriers" and eight were built in 1909 and 1910. They were originally intended for lightweight...
0-6-0T. In service - Number 12 (Small 0-4-0T) 'Marcia'. In Service
- Number 14 (Industrial 0-6-0T) 'Charwelton'. In service
- Number 19 Norwegian 2-6-0 . Undergoing major overhaul. Tender body nearing completion, however the engine is still a couple of years off finishing.
- Number 21 SR USA ClassSR USA ClassThe SR USA class were ex-United States Army Transportation Corps S100 Class steam locomotives purchased by the Southern Railway after the end of the Second World War.- Construction history :...
DS238 0-6-0T 'Wainwright'. At sewage works sidings, still, awaiting overhaul. - Number 22 SR USA ClassSR USA ClassThe SR USA class were ex-United States Army Transportation Corps S100 Class steam locomotives purchased by the Southern Railway after the end of the Second World War.- Construction history :...
0-6-0T 'Maunsell'. In service - Number 23 Standard War Department 0-6-0STHunslet Austerity 0-6-0STThe Hunslet Engine Company Austerity 0-6-0ST is a steam locomotive designed for shunting. The class became the standard British shunting locomotive during the Second World War, and production continued until 1964 at various locomotive manufacturers....
'Bucket Class' 'Holman F Stephens'. In service. - Number 24 Standard War Department 0-6-0ST 'Bucket Class' 'Rolvenden'. Awaiting overhaul.
- Number 25 Standard War Department 0-6-0ST 'Bucket Class' 'Northiam'. Undergoing full 10 year overhaul
- Number 30 GWR 1600 ClassGWR 1600 ClassThe Great Western Railway 1600 class is a class of 0-6-0 pannier tank steam locomotive.-History:The class was based on the 2021 class designed by Dean and built from 1897 onwards...
0-6-0PT no. 1638. In service - Number 1 No. 1 Thomas the Tank Engine. In service. The railway loans a loco for its annual Thomas & Friends events
- Number N/A Merioneth and Llantisilly Rail Traction Company Limited Ivor the Engine 0-4-0T. Loaned for the yearly Ivor the Engine Weekends. Has the strange award of being the last engine to be overhauled at Swindon Works, before closure.