The Kent & East Sussex Railway, 1974-2004

This new account covers the story over the thirty years since the partial reopening of K&ESR in 1974. The first 12 chapters mainly rely on secondary sources, particularly the K&ESR's house journal, the Tenterden Terrier. Later chapters describe the years after the author returned as a volunteer following over two decades as an 'armchair' member and includes his subsequent experiences as a K&ESR employee and Company Secretary. The key points in the story are the extensions to the line which followed the reopening of a short section in 1974. There is also coverage of the scheme to rebuild the 'lost' section between Bodiam and the national network at Robertsbridge. The growth of passenger traffic is detailed along with all the problems and achievements encountered along the way. Having begun by briefly recalling the K&ESR's history prior to 1974, the book puts matters into further perspective by concluding with a summary of the major events from 2004 to the third decade of the 21st century.