Hastings with the Victorian set

Leaves Tenterden with the first train of the day on the last day of our Steam’s Up gala. All is not as it seems as Hastings was at the rear of the train which was lead by D33202, Dennis G Robinson which is just visible at the other end of the train. What a sight though, resplendent in blue and a wonderful set of wooden bodies coaches.

This formation was headed to Bodiam and then formed a shuttle run between there and Junction Road a mile west of Bodiam which is rarely used, this being the first time in my memory that trains have been run over this section which forms part of the extension to Robertsbridge. So far a mile has been built from Bodiam and a mile from Robertsbridge. The gap was subject to a public enquiry which decided last month to grant an order to rebuild the missing track. All being well we should be opening to Robertsbridge in 2026.

257 Squadron’s time at the KESR is coming to an end with the last turns being next weekend. I had to include the extra which shows our smallest and largest locos arriving at Tenterden together. Marcia weights in at 12 tons, 257 at over 200.

I had a surfeit of shots today as I had a very competent trainee in the box which allowed me more opportunities than usual to take photos. The busyness of the day also prevented me from visiting journals today.

In addition to Marcia and 257 the other extras include the footplate of 257 and various other shots from the day.