Heritage and Tourist Railways Information has been provided by the Operators shown below and all enquiries should be made to the appropriate Operator. Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Light Railway — Hythe, New Romney and Dungeness Operated by Steam and Diesel Traction This service is operated exclusively by the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Light Railway Company to whom all enquiries and communications should be addressed at New Romney, Kent TN28 8PL. Telephone: 01797 362353. www.rhdr.org.uk Since it opened over 80 years ago, the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway has become one of the most popular family attractions in Southern England. The railway, which runs for nearly 14 miles across Kent's historic Romney Marsh, links the important holiday centres of Hythe, Dymchurch and New Romney to the fishermen's cottages and lighthouse at Dungeness. It is also the world's only 15" gauge 'MAIN LINE IN MINIATURE'. The railway is probably best known for its superb fleet of one third full size steam locomotives, altogether there are 11, most of them based on the high-speed express locomotives of the 1920s, and with names like Green Goddess, Northern Chief, Hercules, Hurricane and Black Prince they all evoke nostalgia for the golden age of steam. Two diesel locomotives add a modern touch. Nearest National Rail stations Folkestone Central (then by bus from Folkestone (Bouverie Square) to Hythe), Sandling (then by bus to Hythe) and Rye (then by bus to New Romney). East Kent Railway — Shepherdswell, Dover, Kent The East Kent Railway operates heritage trains between Sheperdswell and Eythorne. Services run on Sundays from Easter to 21 September, bank holidays and Saturdays in August. Special events are held throughout the year, including Halloween and Santa Trains.Further details on 01304 832042, www.eastkentrailway.com or write to East Kent Railway, Station Road, Shepherdswell, Kent CT15 7PD. Kent and East Sussex Railway — Tenterden Town, Northiam and Bodiam Operated by Steam and Diesel Traction This service is operated exclusively by the Kent and East Sussex Railway Co. Ltd. to whom all enquiries should be addressed at Tenterden Town Station, Station Road, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6HE, www.kesr.org.uk. Seasonal service – please telephone for free colour leaflet – 01580 765155. Savour the characteristic sights, sounds and smells of steam as you travel through 10½ miles of attractive countryside on this charming, rural railway. Locomotives and carriages dating from Victorian times to the 1960s have been restored as a living reminder of rail travel from more elegant times. Bus connections to Tenterden are available from Ashford, Hastings, Headcorn, Maidstone, Rye and Tunbridge Wells (and Paddock Wood on Sundays). Bus connections to Northiam are available from Hastings and Rye. Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway — Sittingbourne Viaduct — Milton Regis Halt — Kemsley Down "A Truly Industrial Railway" Operated by Steam & occasional Diesel Traction This service is operated by the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Limited to whom all enquiries should be addressed at PO Box 300, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 2DZ. For Customer Information, Trains Times, Fares, Footplate Experience details and Special Event Information, call the 0871 222 1568. Information and advance bookings 0871 222 1569/01622 755313 (evenings only). Website: www.sklr.net. The railway opens from April (or Easter if earlier) - September including every Sunday, Bank Holidays and most Wednesdays during school holidays. Santa Specials run during December. Travel behind original locomotives, some of which have plied their trade along these tracks for 100 years! The Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway is the preserved southern half of the former Edward Lloyd Paper Mill/Bowater's Industrial Railway, which, until 1969, was used to convey both raw materials and finished paper products between the mills at Sittingbourne and Kemsley, and the docks at Ridham. The railway was a 24-hour a day operation, and an integral part of the production process. Today things move at a more leisurely pace and the SKLR is the perfect place to unwind and relax - with or without the kids! Facilities include: Café, Museum, Souvenir Shop, Model Railways, Children's play area and Wildlife Gardens. Full timetable available at www.sklr.net or send an SAE to the address above for a copy of the printed timetable. Trains depart from Sittingbourne Viaduct Station - a ten minute walk from the National Rail Services nearest main-line station (Sittingbourne) see Table 212. Access to Kemsley Down is from "Saxon Shore Way" coastal footpath or by train only. 2793 Heritage and Tourist Railways Information has been provided by the Operators shown below and all enquiries should be made to the appropriate Operator. Bluebell Railway — Sheffield Park, Horsted Keynes and Kingscote Operated by 100% steam Vintage steam trains run between Sheffield Park, Horsted Keynes and Kingscote. A connecting bus links East Grinstead station at weekends and during school holidays. Trains operate weekends throughout the year, daily March – October plus school holidays. Also "Santa Specials" in December and special events. Pullman dining service Saturdays Evenings & Sunday lunchtimes. Address: Sheffield Park Station, near Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 3QL. Tel: 01825 720825 (24 hr talking timetable) 01825 720800 Customer Services 01825 720801 (Pullman reservations & charters) Southern trains connect at East Grinstead with the Bluebell service 473 bus service weekends and school holidays to Kingscote. Through tickets available from all National Rail Stations all weekends (except Santa dates) and school holidays. The Watercress Line — Alton and Alresford Normally Operated by Steam Traction/Heritage Diesel This service is operated exclusively by the Mid-Hants Railway Ltd, to whom all enquiries and communications should be addressed at The Railway Station, Alresford, Hants SO24 9JG. Telephone Alresford (01962) 733810. www.watercressline.co.uk. The Watercress Line is the affectionate name given to the Mid-Hants Railway which reopened in 1977. It runs over 10 miles through unspoilt Hampshire countryside. At Alton the Watercress Line and National Rail share the station where simple interchange can be made. South West Trains services are half hourly to and from London Waterloo (see Table 158). Alternatively travel to Winchester (see Table 158) and take a bus to Alresford. At Ropley a variety of steam locomotives may be seen in various stages of restoration. Stagecoach 64/X64, weekdays and 64A Sundays and Bank Holidays (Alton-Winchester) pass close to both the Ropley and Alresford stations, also stops at Alton station. At Winchester buses stop in City Road, approximately 5 minutes from the National Rail station. Swanage Railway — Swanage — Corfe \Castle — Norden Operated by Steam Traction This service is operated exclusively by the Swanage Railway Company Limited to whom all enquiries and communications should be addressed at Station House, Swanage, Dorset BH19 1HB, telephone 01929 425800. www.swanagerailway.co.uk The Swanage Railway now operates from Swanage to Norden via the historic village of Corfe Castle a distance of nearly six miles. Park and ride facilities are available at Norden. Coach parking at Norden. Isle of Wight Steam Railway Smallbrook Junction — Ashey — Havenstreet — Wootton This service is operated by the Isle of Wight Railway Co Ltd., The Railway Station, Havenstreet, Ryde, Isle of Wight. Tel: (01983) 882204. Primarily a tourist attraction, the Railway runs steam hauled trains of vintage rolling-stock over a five mile line and has direct interchange with ‘Island Line’ at Smallbrook Junction. Bargain ‘Island Liner’ tickets, available at any Island station or on the train, allow a whole day’s unlimited travel on the steam and electric lines. Available on all Steam Railway operating days (except Santa Specials and Day out with Thomas). Trains run on selected days March to November and December (daily from late May until mid September). Bodmin & Wenford Railway — Bodmin Parkway — Bodmin General — Boscarne Junction This service is operated exclusively by the Bodmin and Wenford Railway plc to whom all enquiries and communications should be addressed to Bodmin General Station, Bodmin, Cornwall PL31 1AQ. Telephone: Bodmin (01208) 73666. www.bodminandwenfordrailway.co.uk. Bodmin & Wenford trains run into a platform immediately adjacent to the main line platforms at Bodmin Parkway. For connecting National Rail services see tables 135 and 51. Trains are usually steam-hauled (diesel on some Saturdays), and give an opportunity to sample steam train travel through the beautiful Cornish countryside. The line is 6½ miles long, and forms a convenient link from the National Rail station to Bodmin town centre, and on to Boscarne Junction (for the Camel Trail). Through tickets available from main line stations. 2794 Heritage and Tourist Railways Information has been provided by the Operators shown below and all enquiries should be made to the appropriate Operator. Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway This service is operated exclusively by the Dart Valley Railway PLC to whom all enquiries and communications should be addressed at Queens Park Station, Torbay Road, Paignton, Devon TQ4 6AF. Telephone: 01803 555872. Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway from Paignton is the holiday line with steam trains running for seven miles in Great Western tradition along the spectacular Torbay coast to Churston and through the wooded slopes bordering the Dart estuary to Kingswear.