Leader

‘Leader’ was the second locomotive purchased by Lloyds Paper Mills in 1905 and arrived at Sittingbourne Paper Mill a few weeks after ‘Premier’.

The locomotive is painted in red to show that it was owned by a consortium, separate to the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway, however, it has since been donated by the consortium to the Railway. We will continue to pain it red as it really stands out!

‘Leader’ last operated at the Railway’s Three Brazils Weekend in May 2022. The locomotives boiler certificate expired a few days later and needs some repairs so the loco was withdrawn from service. This usually means being stored outside until it is its turn to be restored to service, by which time there’s a lot more work to be done.

In 2025, ‘Leader’ left Kemsley Down for a holiday in Margate at the One:One Collection, this is a fantastic burgeoning museum in the former Hornby Hobbies factory, alongside Hornby’s ‘The Wonderworks’ museum and shop.

Click here to see a fantastic video of ‘Leader’ being positioned at the One:One Collection. Look out for famous locomotives LNER A4 4464 ‘Bittern’, Deltic 55022 ‘Royal Scots Grey’ and a Eurostar power car from 373304 in the background!

There will be an open weekend with Hornby Hobbies on 15th & 16th August 2026 – click here for more information.

‘Leader’ is in the entrance hall to the One:One Collection, close to a South Eastern & Chatham Railway 178, a P Class locomotive, on loan from the Bluebell Railway, this locomotive was previously owned by Bowaters and named ‘Pioneer II’ (pronounced Pioneer the Second). The loco was used on the standard gauge connection between the Sheerness Branch, Ridham Dock and Kemsley Paper Mill.

It is wonderful to have ‘Leader’ on display at the One:One Collection as it is keeping the engine safe, dry and ready for restoring to service. Many thanks to the One:One Collection for hosting ‘Leader’.