Pixie at Richmond Light Railway

I didn’t know about the Richmond Light Railway which is between Sutton Valance and Headcorn in Kent. It is a private railway and usually opens to the public only once a year. Yet I have passed by the entrance many times. It was only when I read about this event in Heritage Railway magazine that I knew of its existence.

Today was a special additional open day to mark the return to steam of Pixie, seen here at the main station awaiting to depart with another service around the 700 metre track.

Pixie is a locomotive once owned by the railway vicar, the Rev Teddy Boston and kept at the Cadeby Railway. The Rev was friend of Rev W Awdry writer of the Thomas the Tank Engine books: https://locomotive.fandom.com/wiki/Pixie. What is it with railways and clerics? Eric Treacy was known at the Railway Bishop and died from a heart attack while photographing a locomotive on the Settle - Carlisle railway.

There were 8 locos in service today on this 2 ft gauge track. Everything was pristine; engines, carriages, buildings, every bit of paintwork and every sign.

A group of volunteers or members maintain the railway to the highest of standards. The amount of money required to turn a former pig farm into this magnificent railway must have been immense. It is quite simply stunning.

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In the early evening we attended a Vigil Mass for Doreen at St John’s RC Church in Bearsted. This was organised by her long term next door neighbours and we were invited to attend. I’ve not attended many catholic services and was fascinated by the whole service. Strangely, Doreen’s name was not mentioned during the whole service!

And England won again. First a general election, then the next day the Richmond Light Railway and an England win on penalties. What a grand two days.