This week (19-25th February 2024)

More work carried out at Kemsley Down

There’s a lot of work being carried out during the Work Weekends. Last week we saw the front of the Railway Shop with its new doors but shabby looking boarding – well, it doesn’t look like that any more! The weather boarding will be painted green soon. A massive thank you to Anglian Windows for the doors.

‘Leader’ is currently being painted and cleaned ahead of departing the Railway to be stored at the One:One Collection in Margate (if you missed this news it can be found here). The engine is at the bottom of the list for overhaul so moving it to safe, dry storage is the best option in the mean time. ‘Triumph’ recently returned to the back of the engine shed having been stored outside since coming out of service in 2008 and looks pretty rough for it.

Work has started on riveting ‘Superb’s’ firebox – this is a hot, noisy job which has progressed well.

Other jobs around the site include the wildlife garden having its first mow of the year, flower planting in the memorial garden and much more.

Thank you to everyone who has helped at the Railway during the Work Weekends so far – the next Work Weekend will be 2nd & 3rd March as we enter the last few weeks before reopening on Good Friday. If you have any skills or a trade and you would like to offer help, please email info@sklr.net – all help gratefully received! Even if you don’t have any skills or a trade, your help would be most welcome!

Work Weekends

The Work Weekends see tasks undertaken to reduce the outstanding jobs list. We will be working from 10am until about 4pm both days.

If you require picking up from Sittingbourne National Rail station, Sittingbourne Viaduct station or Kemsley Paper Mill car park, please email info@sklr.net by 5pm on Friday 1st March to arrange a lift as there will not be a Works Train.

Full information can be found here and you are reminded that you will need to bring your own food as there are no shops close by when we are working at Kemsley Down.

Work Weekend dates are as follows:

  • Saturday 2nd March – Kemsley Down – to be confirmed
  • Sunday 3rd March – Kemsley Down – to be confirmed
  • Saturday 16th March – Kemsley Down – to be confirmed
  • Sunday 17th March – Kemsley Down – to be confirmed.

Our volunteers are feverishly working at the Railway between Work Weekends. Typically, different teams work on regular days:

Other teams work as necessary, usually on a Wednesday or weekend.

If you are interested in volunteering with one of the teams mentioned above please email info@sklr.net and we’ll put you in contact with that team.

Photo of the Week

As I’ve said before – you never know what you’re going to find in the platforms at Kemsley Down. Last Saturday, Premier and Melior were moved over there to enable the engine shed to be re-arranged for the riveting etc.

Find out more…

To find out more about the Railway – visit our website (www.sklr.net), see our page on Facebook, or find us on X (formerly known as Twitter), Threads or Instagram or Tumblr as @SandKLR. To contact us, email info@sklr.net