Because there are no facilities to run locomotives around here, loco-hauled services must be top & tailed, and today a Class 08 is going to be taking us back towards Shepherdswell (below). Seeing it haul Mk2 coaches and part of a 4-VEP is unconventional, but very East Kent!Ī short while later and the train arrives at Eythorne (above). Only the best heritage railways feature a level crossing, always a fantastic place to watch an old steam locomotive roll by. Meanwhile, a sign of things to come it seems, as it’s been said that a Class 365 will soon be sent to the EKR for preservation as a static display and will become a restaurant, exhibition area, and a major events venue. Immediately following departure, we crawl past the siding where the EKR stores most of its rolling stock, including the Class 142 Pacer, their most recent arrival (above). Please note that all trains and rolling stock are available separately.
#Train simulator online update#
Today the line is home to a wide variety of rolling stock, from small steam locomotives and diesel shunters right up to multiple units, including two Class 142s and one day, even a Class 365 will call the EKR home.Īlongside the latest update to the Chatham Main Line route, and thanks to Danny, our Senior Artist for Train Simulator, the East Kent Railway has been added as a free bonus onto the route, so hop off the train at Shepherdswell and explore what the East Kent Railway has to offer!Īfter alighting a Southeastern service at Shepherdswell (above) signs are immediately pointing one in the direction of the East Kent Railway it’s only a couple of minutes' walk and before you know it, you’re transported back in time, and just in time too! Looks like a service is preparing for departure (below). From Shepherdswell to the next station along the line, Eythorne, trains shuttle along this little stretch of line that recalls the history of Kentish light rail travel. With the valiant efforts of enthusiasts though, the line’s history was able to continue, a short section was restored and re-opened as a heritage railway. Economics eventually got the best of the line, and it eventually closed for commercial operations. Coal traffic would traverse the line through the early 20th Century, alongside local passenger trains serving the nearby villages. Instead, what was built was a single line which branched off the Chatham Main Line at Shepherdswell and weaved its way to Richborough Port near Ramsgate. The plan however did not go as expected, the vast network never materialised, and many of the collieries didn’t make it into production.
The theory was flawless, it would bring great industry and business to otherwise lightly populated areas – the village of Aylesham, the station of which is situated on the Chatham Main Line, is just one example of the anticipated change as it was built in 1926 to house the miners expected to be living in the area. Stephens’ specialty was to build cheap but effective rural light railways, and in his career would be involved in the engineering, building and managing of no less than 16 light railways in England & Wales.įollowing the discovery of the Kent Coalfields before the First World War, during early efforts to dig a channel tunnel, plans were quickly drawn up to set up collieries and serve them by rail. Situated just to the East of Shepherdswell station lies the preserved East Kent Railway, this short heritage line stretches for a little over 2 miles and is all that remains of Colonel Stephens’ efforts to serve Kent’s Coalfields. As part of our latest update to the Chatham Main Line: London Victoria & Blackfriars - Dover & Ramsgate route, we added a little bonus for you to enjoy - the East Kent Railway!
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