Rolvenden railway station

Rolvenden
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Location
Place	Rolvenden
Area	Ashford, Kent
Grid reference	TQ864327
Operations
Managed by	KESR
Owned by	Southern Region of British Railways
Platforms	1
History
1900	Opened as "Tenterden"
1903	Renamed "Rolvenden"
4 January 1954	Closed to passengers
June 1961	Closed to freight
3 February 1974	Station reopened
Stations on heritage railways in the United Kingdom
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Rolvenden railway station is a heritage railway station on the Kent and East Sussex Railway in Tenterden, Kent, in the United Kingdom.

History

The station was originally opened as Tenterden but was renamed Rolvenden in 1903 when the current Tenterden Town station opened. The name Rolvenden is not really appropriate, the station is 2 miles from the village and is closer to Tenterden. When Colonel Stephens first opened the railway Rolvenden served as his locomotive workshop in a similar capacity to today. However the limited machinery and space meant during the 1930s it became harder to overhaul the line's ageing fleet. Most engines were sent to Ashford works to be overhauled.

It now has a signal box, passing loop and a water tower.

Current use

Currently the station is home to the Kent and East Sussex Railway's loco department who are responsible for the restoration and maintenance of steam engines owned by the railway. The loco department is one of the most crucial contributors to the railway's success. The site consists of a two track shed which has enough space for around 4 locomotives. The railway also owns the field next to it and has plans to use at least part of it as a car park. Rolvenden is also the coaling depot and this is where all the locomotives are prepared for a day's work. It now has a signal box, water tower and passing loop.

Preceding station	Heritage railways			Following station
Tenterden Town		KESR		Wittersham Road

Locomotives in residence

• Number 3 LB&SCR A1 Class 0-6-0T (Terrier) 'Bodiam'. In service.
• Number 8 LB&SCR A1 Class 0-6-0T (Terrier) 'Knowle'. In service
• Number 11 SECR P Class 0-6-0T. In service
• Number 12 (Small 0-4-0T) 'Marcia'. In Service
• Number 14 (Industrial 0-6-0T) 'Charwelton'. In service
• Number 19 Norwegian 2-6-0 . Undergoing major overhaul. Tender body nearing completion, however the engine is still a couple of years off finishing.
• Number 21 SR USA Class DS238 0-6-0T 'Wainwright'. At sewage works sidings, still, awaiting overhaul.
• Number 22 SR USA Class 0-6-0T 'Maunsell'. In service
• Number 23 Standard War Department 0-6-0ST 'Holman F Stephens'. In service.
• Number 24 Standard War Department 0-6-0ST 'Rolvenden'. Awaiting overhaul.
• Number 25 Standard War Department 0-6-0ST 'Northiam'. Undergoing full 10-year overhaul
• Number 30 GWR 1600 Class 0-6-0PT no. 1638. In service
• Number 1 No. 1 Thomas the Tank Engine. In service. The railway loans a loco for its annual Thomas & Friends events
• Number N/A Merioneth and Llantisilly Rail Traction Company Limited Ivor the Engine 0-4-0T. Loaned for the yearly Ivor the Engine Weekends. Has the strange award of being the last engine to be overhauled at Swindon Works, before closure.