Steam & Beer 2018 update

This weekend is Steam & Beer, trains will depart Sittingbourne Viaduct station regularly from 11am until 8.50pm on Saturday and 11am-5.45pm on Sunday. The last trains back are 10.20pm and 6.30pm respectively.

There will be live music and a barbecue on Saturday.

Unfortunately the licensing fees and other arrangements required to show Saturday’s World Cup football match are too much for us to bear. 

We will be providing a ‘Small Screens Charging Zone’ with a collection of plug sockets so you can watch the match on your own device and charge it at the same time. Unfortunately we don’t have WiFi. 

Captain Jack Sparrow returns on Sunday for some pirate fun and there will be a treasure hunt at Kemsley Down. There will also be a prize for kids dressed as pirates.

This year we will be slightly chilling the ales to reduce the effect the sun has on the casks so they should be at a drinkable temperature!

We will also have two-pint takeaway cartons available so you can continue to enjoy your drinks at home.

Souvenir glasses will also be available, as will last year’s which didn’t quite make the event so you will be able to complete your collection!

Please note that we do not have credit or debit card facilities in the beer tent, Footplate Café or at the barbecue so please bring some cash for these. 

Getting to Sittingbourne Viaduct

If you are driving to Sittingbourne Viaduct station, please follow the directions detailed here or on our 2018 Timetable Leaflet as the town centre is being regenerated and some roads are closed or diverted. We have a free car park in Sittingbourne Retail Park.

We do not condone drink driving so you may wish to book a taxi or use ArrivaClick (which is operating until 10pm on Saturday, although not running on Sunday). Taxi phone numbers will be on display at Sittingbourne Viaduct and Kemsley Down so you can plan ahead.

Sittingbourne Viaduct station is a 5-10 minute walk from Sittingbourne National Rail station (see directions here).

There will be no access to Kemsley Down other than by train from Sittingbourne Viaduct during this event.

As usual, well behaved dogs are welcome but please be aware that there are likely to be crowds and loud noises both days.

Weather

Due to the continuing hot weather, passengers are advised to bring an use sunblock. There is not much in the way of shelter so please check the weather forecast before leaving home

Blankets donated by Asda for Santa Specials will be available if it gets chilly.

This is our biggest event of the year so some trains may be crowded – we work on a first come, first served basis (reservations and pre-bookings are not available for this event) so please be patient.

Passengers are reminded that smoking and vaping is not allowed at either station or on the trains, particularly in this hot weather due to the fire risk. A smoking/vaping area is available on the Saxon Shore Way.