1638 departs from Rolvenden for Tenterden

Wreathed in a cloud of its own steam and hissing loudly, Pannier Tank 1638 leaves Rolvenden Yard for Tenterden light engine to work the first train of the day. It wasn't so long ago I was recording the last day in service of this, my favourite, locomotive on the KESR. A very rapid turnaround by the loco department.

It was the Forties Weekend on the railway this weekend with all Forties themed activities including a flypast and acrobatics by a Spitfire. Down at Wittersham Box we saw little of the events, except the Spit flying back and forth a few times and a quite a few people dressed in millitary uniform or ladies in Forties costumes, many of whom were asleep on the train.

It was a very easy day in the box as there were no crossing moves to manage, just as well really as this was my first turn since last October. Susan has long wanted to spend a day in the box with me so today was a good opportunity for her to see what I get up to. She pulled a few levers too! And enjoyed her visit to the isolated Wittersham box. We heard a cookoo and saw a buzzard and all manner of other birds.

I must have climbed over 400 steps while on duty, for each train movement there were two round trips up and down the box steps for each working and there were 16 workings in addition to visits to the loo and other excusions around the site. I slept well on the sofa tonight.