The Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway

This unique line was built in 1905 for the transportation of the raw materials required for the manufacture of paper and, of course, the finished product.

The line which is built to a gauge of 2′ 6″, continues to use the steam engines and rolling stock that were supplied to operate the railway in its working life prior to preservation in 1969.

How many other railways can claim that they operate the original engines on part of the original line with original rolling stock? The staff are not original but are all volunteers and new members are always welcome.

Wherever you see orange text this is a shortcut to another part of the website or other media, for example, to visit the Away Sales Events page click on the orange text.

To find out what’s happening this week see the Latest News section on the right of this page or subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Check out our series of very short videos showing you ‘What to expect…’ 

Please note that our postcode for Sat. Nav. users is  ME10 2XDclick here for directions to Sittingbourne Viaduct station.

The car park’s what3words address is: ///format.fits.trains

Group travel and private hire can be arranged in advance, follow the shortcuts or email info@sklr.net

We will try to run to the timetable, on the days shown and use steam locomotives but reserve the right to change these for operational reasons, without notice.


This weekend is the last weekend of the season – Gala Weekend. We will have four locomotives running (two steam and two diesel), special trains, single- & double-headed trains, a bar, a vintage tractor, steam roller etc.

An exclusive train for pre-booked passengers only will be a mixed passenger and freight trains, hauled by steam locomotive Premier, at 10.45am each day (Saturday 30th September/Sunday 1st October). A special fare of £15 each is applicable to the 15 passengers on these trains, which includes a rover ticket, access to Kemsley Down 30 minutes before everyone else and a guided tour of the engine shed – book now by pressing the Book Now button below.


You can book tickets in advance for Gala Weekend or there will be lots of turn up & go tickets available from the ticket office on the day. Booking fees apply.


Click on the ‘This Week’ post in the Latest News section for more information or Timetable & Fares from the drop down menus at the top of this page.

Click here to see our 2023 Season leaflet.

Santa Specials on sale now!


We are currently running these fundraising campaigns:

  • Let’s put the B back in Superb. – we are fundraising to repair and reinstall Superb’s boiler
  • Milton Regis Viaduct Appeal – we are fundraising to pay for the maintenance of the Viaduct during Winter 2022/23. This costs the Railway £25,000 every two years and comes from fares, sales and catering and this fund-raising appeal
  • the SOS Campaign is raising money to improve facilities at Sittingbourne Viaduct station – we are now raising money for a new platform
  • the Alpha Fund to raise money to cosmetically restore Alpha ahead of full restoration in the late 2020s by today’s younger members

In March, Premier won the prestigious Coiley Award for Steam Locomotive Engineering 2023 – here’s a video about Premier, the Back to the future project and the award.



We have received £26,500 from the Government’s #HereForCulture fund to improve Sittingbourne Viaduct station – find out more here.

September at Sittingbourne's Steam Railway

September at Sittingbourne's Steam Railway

Become a member

If you would like to become a member and help us in our task you can download a membership form from the membership section of this site or contact us by email at info@sklr.net

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Our accessibility statement can be found here

We’re a member of Visit Swale, find out more about Sittingbourne and Swale by clicking on the logo.

 

This website does not record your personal data. The Railway does collect personal data for membership and volunteer records (safety critical tasks).