6619 a 0-6-2 Tank Engine on the KESR

I was back on duty at the KESR, this time at the Cranbrook Road level crossing. Difficult to take photographs when on duty at a level crossing but this was taken at the end of the day as the light engine was making its way from Tenterden back down the bank to Rolvenden.

It was another good day on the railway - good weather and the opportunity to get down to some serious preparation and revision for my learning turns in the Wittersham Road signal box.

6619, an 0-6-2 tank engine from South Wales, is a very recent addition to the locomotive fleet on the Kent and East Sussex Railway. 6619 was designed at the famous GWR Swindon works by C. B. Collett but built by Armstrong Whitworth for the Great Western Railway in January1928.

The locomotive and its class were built for hauling heavy coal trains from the pits of South Wales and were also used for mixed traffic and short trip passenger workings. It's an ideal loco for this line and will be an "extremely useful engine" now and in the future when the line opens from Bodiam to Roberstsbridge.

6619 came to the Kent and East Sussex Railway in November 2012 after a share offer to members raised a significant portion of the £250,000 price tag for the locomotive. I'm a shareholder, purchasing 4 shares over 2 years. More funds are always needed, if you would like to subscribe, click here to go to the 6619 website.

The end of May marks the end of the 5th month of blipping - and it's getting better all the time.