Guest 813- Registered: 7 Nov 2012
- Posts: 144
Evening all,
I represent the East Kent Railway in Shepherdswell, and I thought it would be great to share some information with you about our railway, it's history and it's bright and exciting future! We own and operate heritage trains along the ex-colliery line from Shepherdswell to Eythorne, a distance of two miles. We are all volunteers and are passionate about what we do, but unfortunately not a lot of people know we exist! I am currently the only volunteer from Dover!!
We have a range of special events throughout the year, from enthusiast events, to vintage vehicle rallies, Halloween, Santa Specials and the ever popular summer beer festival! At Shepherdswell we have an excellent cafe, open six days a week from Tuesday to Sunday, woodland walks for a gentle stroll, miniature and model railways for the kids, and museums!
We are keen to involve the local community in our future, as we hope to extend the line and return steam, to make the site into a working museum with a little something for everyone! We're a small but friendly bunch, so why not come along and say hello!
We are always looking for new volunteers, particularly at this time of year in which the heavier tasks are undertaken ready for the opening season in March. We have positions for drivers, guards, catering staff, general volunteers, gardeners, everything you can think of! We even run railway experience days, in which you can take control of a train for the day and drive up and down the line!
Our Santa Specials are coming up, and we are desperate to break our records, so it would be great to see some of you coming along to support your local heritage railway! We need your support!
I hope this has enlightened you to our cause, any questions, give me a shout or visit our website at
www.eastkentrailway.co.uk :) Thanks very much.
All the best
Josh Watkins
EKR Youth Team & Website Manager.
Josh Watkins - Youth Team Manager & Website Administrator
East Kent Railway, Shepherdswell near Dover
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
welcome to the forum josh, we have at least one member involved with this interesting project.
please keep us informed of developments.
http://www.dover.uk.com/forums/dover-forum/santa-specialGuest 813- Registered: 7 Nov 2012
- Posts: 144
Thanks Howard! That would be Gary. Great bloke and heavily involved with our fundraising department.
Josh Watkins - Youth Team Manager & Website Administrator
East Kent Railway, Shepherdswell near Dover
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Good Luck with it all Josh.
I spoke with Georges Dussart earlier in the year about the future aspirations of EKR and he sent me some information that I included in my Tourism Strategy, so if it was to be considered and adopted, it would high-light what you are doing and how important it is to Dover's tourism.
Sadly that is not going to be the case, so it is languishing in various computers or laptops, or more likely, deletd and put in waste bins.
Roger
Guest 813- Registered: 7 Nov 2012
- Posts: 144
Thanks Roger, Georges Dussart is the railway's Chairman and is a very inspirational person insistant on carrying the railway forward which is fantastic.
I got a little confused about your last sentence, what did you mean by that Roger?
All the best
Josh
Josh Watkins - Youth Team Manager & Website Administrator
East Kent Railway, Shepherdswell near Dover
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Josh - I meant that I sent the tourism strategy to various people and bodies, including the Town Council, the Tourism body - WCCTA (White Cliffs Country Tourism Alliance) and the Town Team, but it hasn't been acknowledged by any of them, so will not be adopted.
I've had some very supportive emails with some good suggestions and amendments from lots of people and businesses, which have been included.
I've been told by many people on here, to "give it a rest and shut up" so I am. The sad thing is that, once again, Dover's historic sites and attractions and other Dover businesses will all suffer because there's not as many people visiting them, as could be.
If you'd like a copy of it, please do let me know.
Roger
Guest 774- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 498
Hi Josh. I will be bringing my family along on one of the Santa Specials next month. Looking forward to it...
"If it ain't broke, fix it til it is."
Guest 813- Registered: 7 Nov 2012
- Posts: 144
Roger, that sounds like a great initiative and it is a shame it has not been regarded. Tourism in Dover is very important due to the cruise ships passengers mainly, and so it is something that should be promoted! A copy would be great,thanks!
Josh
Josh Watkins - Youth Team Manager & Website Administrator
East Kent Railway, Shepherdswell near Dover
Guest 813- Registered: 7 Nov 2012
- Posts: 144
Glad to hear that Gary! Have you booked up yet? Josh
Josh Watkins - Youth Team Manager & Website Administrator
East Kent Railway, Shepherdswell near Dover
Guest 774- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 498
Oh yes. Just waiting for email confirmation...
"If it ain't broke, fix it til it is."
Guest 813- Registered: 7 Nov 2012
- Posts: 144
Great stuff, should receive that shortly, Clive and Roger have been up to their eyeballs sorting out bookings but you'll hear very soon!
Have you been before?
Josh Watkins - Youth Team Manager & Website Administrator
East Kent Railway, Shepherdswell near Dover
Guest 774- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 498
No. I've seen info on the railway line, but unfortunately never got round to visiting.
"If it ain't broke, fix it til it is."
Guest 813- Registered: 7 Nov 2012
- Posts: 144
I'm sure you'll be impressed Gary. It's a really friendly volunteer run charity railway, and the Santa Specials are like the icing on the cake for us. It's just such a shame not a lot of people know we exist!
Josh Watkins - Youth Team Manager & Website Administrator
East Kent Railway, Shepherdswell near Dover
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i will have to do my best to get there, been on the romney hythe and dymchurch one which is a great day out.
Guest 813- Registered: 7 Nov 2012
- Posts: 144
The RH&DR is great, but I feel we offer a lot of value for money. And of course, we're just up the road. A lot of exciting ventures will be taking off there soon, so hopefully we will be bigger and better than ever before.
Josh Watkins - Youth Team Manager & Website Administrator
East Kent Railway, Shepherdswell near Dover
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
Josh, I've been on the Halloween one a couple of times with my daughters and friends, it was really spooky and very well done, we all loved it and had a great scary time. Good luck with it all and I must also say it was great value for money
Guest 813- Registered: 7 Nov 2012
- Posts: 144
Thanks Colette for the kind words there! We do try and put on a good show. We're hoping to do a Sixties Revival weekend next June, with all the Mods and Rockers and Ska Bands and old vintage vehicles. Will keep you all informed!
Gary P, did you book by phone on sunday? If so, you should get your confirmation notice on Thursday. If you've already paid then youre confirmed anyway! Let me know :)
Josh Watkins - Youth Team Manager & Website Administrator
East Kent Railway, Shepherdswell near Dover
Guest 774- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 498
I booked from work at the end of last week with Roger. Paid with my card...
I'll let you know when I get the confirmation...
"If it ain't broke, fix it til it is."
Guest 813- Registered: 7 Nov 2012
- Posts: 144
Here is the official advert for the Santa by Train Event 2012. Had a chat with the organiser, and he says it is becoming the best year yet, with a lot of bookings! If anyone is planning on booking the 'bargain weekend' on the 1st and 2nd of December at just £8 per person, I would advise doing it soon to avoid missing out!
Josh Watkins - Youth Team Manager & Website Administrator
East Kent Railway, Shepherdswell near Dover
Guest 813- Registered: 7 Nov 2012
- Posts: 144
Ah right yeah, you are likely to be in the next batch of confirmations then Gary, and should hear by Thursday!
Josh Watkins - Youth Team Manager & Website Administrator
East Kent Railway, Shepherdswell near Dover
