Terrier No.3 “Bodiam” was the beneficiary of a spring clean at Rolvenden last Sunday, 8th February, organised by Matt Green.  Some twenty people turned up to lend a hand, which needless to say exceeded all expectations.  Several of the helpers expressed an interest in joining The Terrier Trust and we look forward to welcoming them onboard.  A sincere and heartfelt thank you is extended to all attendees.  Even the awful weather relented for the occasion, with some welcome winter sunshine around the middle of the day.

It was noticeable that the paintwork is already starting to look the worse for wear in one or two places but there are no plans for a complete repaint as yet.  The Trustees are looking into future livery options for both locomotives and the idea at the moment is to put together a proposal that is satisfactory to K&ESR for ratification by TTT members.

As ever, one well-executed project seems to spawn another good idea.  Chair Tom White has suggested that because of the success of No.3’s spring clean, the Trust organise a more frequent bespoke cleaning pattern for our engines.

Along with the publication of the 2009 timetable, an initial “Big Plan” for use of engines and rolling stock has been prepared.  As 32678 is still under restoration, only “Bodiam” currently has scheduled passenger days lined up.

The timetable, whilst maintaining the proven structure of recent years, is packed with innovative ideas to try to keep the money flowing and maintain interest in the K&ESR during these difficult times.  The off-peak BLUE timetable has been adjusted yet again to enable the last of the four services to get back to Tenterden Town just before 4.15pm; apart from the established slot post-Christmas and over New Year, it will also be used for half-term running in the spring and autumn.  Such an early finish may seem strange to those familiar with the longer heritage lines around the country although is comparable with, say, the Mid-Hants, but they don’t have a Bodiam Castle close at hand.

The biggest disappointment from the Trust’s point of view is that none of the small engines, let alone the Terriers, are currently scheduled for use after Christmas, which is a shame as, at least for a short period, no fewer than four should be available for service by then.  The idea to do something special on Saturday 2nd January, the anniversary of the closure of the line has once again been rejected by the railway.  Whatever the bottom-line economics, scenes of “Bodiam” taken by Ian Scarlett during festive running have recently appeared in both ‘Steam Railway’ and ‘Heritage Railway’. 

But there are positives, and lots of them.  “Bodiam” is scheduled to appear at both “Thomas” © weekends in February and works the Tuesday to Friday half-term trains along with the DMMU.  She then shares the first RXD (Railway Experience Day) duties of the new season with P-class 753, celebrating its 100th birthday this year, either side of the Branch Line Weekend 21st and 22nd March, which effectively gets the regular season under way.  The following Saturday is “Kent’s Big Day Out” with No.3 again planned for service.

Most eagerly anticipated though is a sustained spell of daily running for “Bodiam” in April in true Stroudley style.  True, the engine has seen continuous daily running in August in both 2008 and 2007, and “Knowle” was used extensively during Foot and Mouth in 2001 because of reduced patronage.  But this service is different, for from Sunday 5th April right thru to Wednesday 15th April, No.3 and the Vintage Train will form the backbone of daily trains over the Easter holiday period.  The weekend itself is yet to be confirmed; “Bodiam” will otherwise work three return trips – again, not unique by any means, as the Class 5 turn (Austerity/Pannier/USA) has on occasion been swapped with the Class 2 (P/Norwegian/Charwelton/Terrier).

This is, however, regular sustained operation and backed up by the DMMU – a more modern and reliable descendant of the petrol railbuses, and if backed by some half-decent spring weather it should generate a real Light Railway feel and style.  It reflects the continued popularity of the Vintage Train, boosted since the introduction of the “birdcage” last summer, and should spread the demand to experience travel this wonderful formation.