USA Tank on the Kent and East Sussex Railway Tenterden Town Kent Happy Independence day July 4th USA

 Photo  Framemeplease 

Built for the United States Army Corps of Engineers as No 1968, and sent to the UK under Lend-Lease. Stored at Newbury Racecourse. One of fourteen purchased by the Southern Railway and sent to the Melbourne Military Railway for running in. Entered service with the Southern Railway in November 1947 as USA Class number 65. Renumbered 30065 by British Railways. Worked at Southampton Docks. Withdrawn, and entered Departmental service as DS237 at Ashford Wagon Works. Withdrawn in April 1967 and sold to Woodham Brothers, Barry, Wales in March 1968. Developed a hot box en route and dumped at Tonbridge. Sold to K&ESR in August 1968 and delivered the next month. arriving at Rolvenden a month later became  DS 237 No. 22.

No. 22 was the first large locomotive in service in 1974, proving itself very capable of hauling five coach trains up Tenterden bank. She was fitted with an extended bunker and a improved lubrication to overcome its bearing problems. In 1978 it exchanged boilers with No. 21 and after overhaul re-entered service in April 1981 in black livery lined out in red. Various mechanical problems occurred and were overcome before the boiler certificate again expired and the locomotive was taken out of traffic at the end of the 1990 season. Another extensive overhaul followed, the locomotive re-entering service as Southern Railway No. 65 in the summer of 1997. Its original post-war livery of black with sunshine lettering was now carried. However by 2002 a new firebox was required. This was fitted and a further overhaul undertaken the engine returning to service in 2008. has been  withdraw service on 1st January 2017 when its boiler certificate expired 

Kent & East Sussex Railway is the country's finest example of a rural light railway

The Kent & East Sussex Railway is the country's finest example of a rural light railway. 

A journey will take through the Jewel of the Weald 

And with the main station in Tenterden Town makes it a great day out for all ages

Regular events are held throughout the year Day out with Thomas, Real Ale Trains, Pensioners Treats to name but a few

Steam trains, disabled facilities, licensed Restaurant (Station Refreshment Rooms), Wealden Pullman Dining, Railway Experiences, Model Railway fun for children, Museum

2017 prices 
Family £34.20 (online*) £38 (ticket office)

2 adults & up to 3 children (15yrs & under) or 1 adult & up to 4 children (15yrs & under)

Adult £16.20 (online*) £18 (ticket office) (16yrs & over)

Child £10.80 (online*) £12 (ticket office)

* When booked before midnight of the preceding day

All tickets include unlimited travel throughout the day, entry to the railway museum and Cavell van




The Kent and East Sussex Railway operate three types of service listed below

Green Service

2 trains in service. Steam hauled services depart Tenterden at 10.40, 1.15 and 3.35, on-train catering and access for wheelchair users. The heritage diesel observation train departs 11.45 and 2.20, sorry this is currently unable to accommodate wheelchair usersRed Service2 trains in service. Steam hauled services depart Tenterden at 10.40, 11.45, 1.15, 2.20 and 3.35, on-train catering and access for wheelchair usersGold Service
3 trains in service, either 2 steam hauled trains and 1 diesel hauled train, or 3 steam hauled trains. Steam hauled services depart Tenterden at 10.45, 11.30, 1.00, 1.45, 3.15 and 4pm, on-train catering. Accommodation for wheelchair users is available on these services 10.45, 1.00, and 3.15. A further train will be either our heritage diesel observation train or a steam hauled train, 12.15, 2.30pm
here are listed the services for April May and June

ACCESSIBLE

The Railway has a specially designed
coach for wheelchair users called 'Petros' which is fitted with ramped access, wide aisles, an accessible toilet and moveable seating. There is full wheelchair access to the shop and restaurant at Tenterden Town Station, and the Colonel Stephens Railway Museum has level access with 42" aisles