The Experience
This experience takes you behind the scenes of the Kent & East Sussex Railway, offering access to parts of the line not usually open to visitors.
Your day begins with a guided tour led by a knowledgeable member of the team. You’ll visit key working areas of the railway, including the Carriage and Wagon Workshop at Tenterden and the Locomotive Works at Rolvenden. These are active spaces where restoration and maintenance take place, giving you a closer view of how the railway is kept running.
Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to speak with the volunteers who work on the railway. They can share insight into the work they do and explain how the line operates on a day-to-day basis. You’ll also visit a signal box, where you can see how train movements are controlled.
The experience includes a return journey along the full length of the line on a scheduled service. This gives you time to take in the route after seeing how the railway operates behind the scenes.
Lunch is provided in the Refreshment Rooms at Tenterden, giving you time to pause during the day.
What’s Included
- Guided behind-the-scenes tour of the railway
- Access to working areas including workshops
- Opportunity to speak with railway volunteers
- Visit to a working signal box
- Return train journey along the full line
Example Itinerary (subject to change)
09.30 - Meet at Tenterden Station for introductions, a safety briefing and beverages
10.00 -10.30 - Visit to Carriage & Wagon shed
10.35 - Board the 10.40 ex Tenterden and detrain at Rolvenden Station
10.50 - 12.15 - Visit Rolvenden box once train has departed. Visit locomotive shed and tour Rolvenden site. Watch arrival and watering of 11.42 ex Bodiam from Rolvenden yard
12.21 - Board the 11.42 ex Bodiam and detrain at Tenterden Station
12.35 - 13.05 - Visit Museum
13.15 - Lunch in Tenterden restaurant
14.15 - Board the 14.20 ex Tenterden for full line train ride
16.15 - Arrive at Tenterden Station for beverages and review
16.45 - End of activity
Important Information
Available to participants aged 18 and over.
Your Golden Moments voucher is not a ticket - please activate your voucher at www.goldenmoments.co.uk/redemption so we can arrange your booking for you.
To upgrade your ticket or add additional participants to your booking, simply reach out to our friendly customer service team.
The Weather
This experience may be cancelled in extremely poor weather.
Session Length
You should expect to be at the venue for around 7 hours 15 minutes, from 9:30 am until 4:45 pm.
Numbers
This voucher is valid for 1 person; you'll be joined by up to 5 other locomotive enthusiasts!
What To Wear
There is no specific dress code so you just need to dress comfortable.
Availability
This experience is available on selected dates throughout the year. Upon redeeming your voucher, you'll receive a list of available dates for you to choose from.
Location
Tenterden Station, Kent.
