In this issue of Community Update we are pleased to feature The Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway (SKLR) for its Commitment to Excellence as a Heritage Railway Attraction.
Aside from providing a family-friendly destination for children with its outside toys, bike and wildlife gardens, at Kemsley Down you’ll also find the Footplate Café, railway shop, museum, picnic area, wildlife gardens, museum sidings, model village and garden railway.
SKLR began as a horse-drawn tramway for the Sittingbourne Paper Mill. In 1905, it was modernised with steam locomotives, including ‘Premier’, which recently wo
n an award for its restoration. During WW1, the railway expanded to Ridham Dock, and in 1969, ownership transferred to volunteers. This narrow-gauge industrial railway, with a 2ft 6in track width, replaced horses and remains volunteer-operated, preserving its historical legacy.
Why not ride the steam train that climbs the Milton Regis Viaduct—a 1-kilometer structure with 118 spans and six bridges. The Railway leaves Sittingbourne’s industrial outskirts, passing through Milton Creek Country Park, and crosses marshes before reaching Kemsley Paper Mill.Kemsley Down station, within the mill, offers pedestrian access to England’s Coastal Path/Saxon Shore Way.
Over the years, SKLR has evolved into an ideal day out for families, with
2025 bringing a larger focus on events as SKLR will be competing with Rail 200 events at heritage railways across the country.
“We have set ourselves the challenge of putting on an event every two weeks (except bank holidays) which will fit around our standard date events.
On the last weekend of September we have our Gala Weekend. We’ll run frequent passenger and passenger/freight trains this year, featuring steam locomotive ‘Premier’ and diesel engines ‘Victor and Barton Hall.’ Kemsley Down will host various exhibits, including steam traction and fire engines (subject to availability). No extra fees for the event—details will be on our website closer to the date.
For Christmas, The Railway reopens in December for Santa Specials. Passengers check in at Sittingbourne Viaduct, receive travel tickets and personalised Christmas cards, then board pre-assigned coaches to Kemsley Down. Upon arrival, Santa and his elves greet children, taking them to Santa’s Grotto, while adults relax in the Footplate Café,” stated Paul Best, SKLR.
Tickets start at £10 and must be pre-booked on the website or call TicketSource on 0333 666 3366.
SKLR is actively looking for more volunteers to help out particularly behind the scenes for catering, sales, station masters, guards, ticket inspectors, ticket office clerks, and also on the engineering-side in its track, carriage & wagon and locomotive engineering departments.
If you’re interested in volunteering or looking for a great day out, see below.
T 01795 424899
info@sklr.net
www.sklr.net/