July and August 2024 have been unusually busy in the workshop. Bredgar sprung a water leak. A radiator hose was found to be rubbing on part of the frame. This sounded really bad until we realised it had last been repaired by the MOD around 20 years ago so it lasted pretty well all things […]
Continue readingSittingbourne Carnival
The first Carnival in Sittingbourne for many years went head in August and we were very pleased to be able to support it by providing some key vehicles for the procession. The Bean car (1920s) driven by Bill ensured the Ladies of the Carnival Court were transported in Vintage Style, while the Marshall tractor pulled […]
Continue readingTractor Event Day
The September tractor event day had great weather and saw a lovely line up of tractors parading the woodland and grounds. Brave visitors took on the challenge of scaling the 105 ft ladder of the American Fire Truck – which provides the most stunning views of the venue and the countryside for many miles! The […]
Continue readingJune 21st – Solstice Stories in the Woods, Storytelling for Grown Ups (12+)
On the longest day of the year, we welcomed award-winning storyteller Jason Buck back to the railway for his third year telling summer soties around the fire. Stories exclusively for adults and teens, he brings tales of ancestors, magical lands, ancient gods and monsters to life, He is described as ” a man made of myth, magic […]
Continue readingWorkshop update 25 May 24
In 2023 the boiler certificate for Katie, the 0-6-0 Well tank locomotive build by Arn Jung of Jungenthal Germany in 1931, expired. A 10 year detailed inspection was due and we were aware of some leaks on the well tank. A complete strip down and check was started in early 2023.
Continue readingJune 2nd – 1940’s event day.
Sunday 2nd June – 1940s Steam Event Day This event day is always a lot of fun with a variety of reenactors and enthusiasts bringing displays, vehicles and artefacts to commemorate those who had to endure such a difficult time in our recent history. From the front line to the home front, there’ll be exhibits […]
Continue readingMay Event Day
We had our first steam event day of the year on the first Sunday in May and what a glorious day it was! We were blessed with fabulous sunshine, beautiful bluebells and the visitors came out in droves – by far our busiest event day in many years which was such a welcome boost for […]
Continue readingYew Tree Farm School. No longer open to BWLR Visitors
This is the third year our friends at Yew Tree Farm School have been with us at Bredgar Railway and those frequent visitors will have noticed a change in their activities in recent months. When the school first arrived, they provided one to one teaching for children with special educational needs, children’s farming clubs as […]
Continue readingWorkshop update 17 August
The routine of cleaning and light maintenance continues with the locos, with one of our younger and one returning volunteer enjoying the work. Zambezi was out of traffic for replacement of a main steam pipe gasket and fitting of a new top of the chimney. A local college took on the fabrication work for the […]
Continue readingWorkshop update 7 June
Progress in the workshop has changed direction with a couple of unplanned jobs. The first one is to replace the exhaust pipes on Lady Joan, as we found some extensive corrosion on one in the base of the smokebox just above the concrete seal. Luckily we had some spares in stock which required some machining […]
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