257 Squadron arrives at Tenterden

A landmark day on the KESR as testing for visiting loco Battle of Britain Class 257 Squadron undergoes testing and trials before entering service for the Easter weekend.

Hired from the Spa Valley Railway and paid for in part by the Visiting Loco fund (of which I am a member) 257 is the largest ever loco on our little line. In the past we’ve had Foxcote Manor and City of Truro, both slightly smaller than 257.

At least 257 is a Southern locomotive and looked very much at home in charge of a rake of mainly Southern green painted coaches. There were some who felt it was out of keeping with our light railway ethos and certainly it would not have run on the KESR when under public ownership as the track would not have been able to support its weight. It’s a testament to the quality of our permanent way.

Compared to the little pugnacious tanks that huff and puff their way along our line, making plenty of noise 257 is much quieter and serene, suave even. All being well we’re hoping it’ll bring in plenty of visitors over the Easter period. The engine should be here until early June.

As with all new things there are processes and procedures to iron out and deviations from the ordinary run of events at Tenterden Town signalbox which involves me working a lever that I’ve never had to operate before. I’m back in Tenterden Town on Saturday when 257 will be working passenger trains.

https://preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com/34072-257-squadron/