The cab of No 23, Holman F Stephens on the KESR

The 5th annual Kent and East Sussex Beer Festival at Tenterden Town Station. We took two friends with us for the ride and the beer. Over 60 different ales to choose from - rather bewildering - and after two or three they tend to taste very similar. First time I've been a passenger on the railway rather than working as a volunteer for a while.

Al is a keen photographer and relished the opportunity to take shots in the railway environment. Me, I'm still experimenting with black and white. I've taken countless pictures of the cabs of locomotives in colour but this is the first time in monochrome and I must say I like the effect it gives.

This shot was taken at Bodiam station as we wait to begin the return journey to Tenterden. It's a lovely ride along the line, with the best bit reserved for the end as the engine powers its way up Tenterden Bank, past Cranbrook Road crossing, up one of the steepest gradients in the country. Very impressive.

No 23, Holman F Stephens is named after Colonal Holman F Stephens who was the engineer and manager for the railway for many years and is associated with many such Light Railways in the UK. This particular locomotive was built in 1952 by Hunslet for the War Department and was one of hundreds of such shunting locos built during and just after the War. They're known as "Austerities" because of their simplicity and ruggedness and became the mainstay of many heritage railway lines in their early years. No 23 came to the KESR in 1974 and has been there ever since.

After the railway - and the beer - back home for a slice of carrot cake and tea followed almost immediately afterwards by dinner. A great evening and day.