Railway Experience Day on the KESR

A day on the Railway as co-ordinator for a Railway Experience Day (RXD) where people pay a large wedge of cash to enjoy a day on the Railway. This was the first time I'd worked the new arrangements whereby we do two complete trips on the line from Tenterden to Bodiam and back.

Thank goodness it wasn't earlier in the week when outside temperatures were in the thirties; the conditions on the footplate in front of a huge glowing fire would have been unbearable. We had 7 people on the course, they each had a couple of turns of driving and firing and several turns as guard, opening and shutting crossing gates and flagging the train away. Bacon rolls began the day with a lunch of chicken in more bacon, roast potatoes and veg and a good pudding filled the gap between the two runs.

Interesting how there were connections with participants, one was a former pupil at a school where I was deputy head (but before my time). He remembered many teachers that I worked with. He also worked in the same division in BAe Sytems as my son. Another was selling and supporting the Attendance system we used at the same school.

They were all very interesting people and by all accounts had a very good day, judging by the wide grins on their faces and the heartfelt thanks at the end of the day.