Kent and East Sussex – Hayling Billy Service

Hayling Billy 50 7 February, 2013

Hayling Billy service to run at 11:45 and 14:45 from Tenterden Station Tuesday 19th February to Friday 22 February.

In support of this event, I shall make a visit and report on here.

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Hayling Billy 50

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Hayling Billy 50 24 February, 2013, 1:30 am

Both Ian and I visited the K&ESR, 22 & 21 February respectively.

I arrived late as I had to make a detour to Staines first. Unfortunately, this meant that I had missed the morning services but gave me a little time at Tenterden Town to look around the station and its facilities. This was my first visit to the K&ESR but the taster was enough to make me resolve to spend a couple of days to learn more and enjoy the railway.

Like a lot of preserved railways, each station area concentrates on one main aspect of running the railway. The specialisation at Tenterden Town was the museum and coach restoration facilty. The museum was closed but I visited the Carriage Works and asked if I could look around. One of the people there gave me an escorted tour of this facility.

Work was taking place on a number of vehicles including two Pullman coaches. One Pullman had been stripped internally with paneling and flooring being repaired/replaced. The other Pullman coach was undergoing repairs to its vestibule ends. Other vehicles were in various stages of restoration/repair.

Two locomotives were in steam, an ex GWR 0-6-2T locomotive and the Terrier, 32678, which was running a ‘Hayling Island’ service with two coaches.

Although the temperature was very cold with a biting wind, I really enjoyed my visit. The staff I met were very friendly and helpful. I met up with Hugh Nightingale (of the Terrier Trust) after the train arrived back at Tenterden Town station. We had intended to meet up earlier but my late arrival spoiled the plan.

I have made a video of my visit which can be seen here http://youtu.be/1_US6Oj0-Jo

I am still uploading images to my website http://www.imageinuk.com/Trains/Kent-East-Sussex-Railway-1/28144079_xGm8Db#!i=2378764956&k=8pLdqNS

Hugh has provided the following two images which he had taken on Wednesday when the lighting conditions were better.

32678 leaves Northiam with the 1pm departure for Tenterden Town – Photo Courtesy Hugh Nightingale

Rounding Orpin’s Curve with the 3.45 ex-Bodiam – Photo courtesy Hugh Nightingale

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Hayling Billy 50 24 March, 2013, 9:41 pm

See http://www.haylingbilly50.co.uk/node/376#comment-210 for Ross Shimmon’s picture of the destination board in the Maunsell coach and a full description of the train.

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