Driver under instruction

My first Railway Experience Day of the new season and my first in charge as coordinator. Three people paid to trundle up and down the railway from Tenterden to Bodiam and back each taking it in turns to fire and drive the locomotive and act as guard opening and closing all the level crossing gates.

It appears that a good time was had by all, including the crew of the loco and all the other staff, made all the sweeter by the liberal provision of bacon rolls, tea, coffee and biscuits. And before you ask, the bacon was not cooked on a shovel in the firebox (although I think it should!)

A bright but cold day with a strong wind which made the footplate the place to be - it's rare that the footplate is so welcoming, it's usually stiflingly hot, but not today.