Further details of the current state of restoration of the above rolling stock are as shown below.

(a)     The Railway’s 0-4-0 Drewry Diesel Mechanical Locomotives.

 1 - The first of these, RVR number 25 (unofficially but affectionately known at ‘Dougal’), is has been repainted in original RVR dark blue livery but awaits the fitting of the vacuum brake gear.

2- The second RVR number 1 = ‘Titan’, is currently out of services awaiting engine repairs. It will also need the fitting of vacuum brake gear before it can be used on passenger trains. .

Both locomotives are privately owned and work is being funded by the respective owners.

(b)    Open Wagon. RVR Number 20

This is being built as a 5 plank wagon in the style of the original 1900 RVR open wagons. It requires some welding to the chassis and the fitting of new flooring and timberwork which has already been purchased and is to hand.

Its vacuum brake gear has been overhauled and requires refitting before it can be used on passenger trains.

(c)     Ex-Southern Railway Brake Van. RVR Number 14

Repairs to the body structure have been completed The vehicle is currently being repainted in original SR dark brown livery.

It will also need the fitting of vacuum brake gear before it can be used on passenger trains. It is fitted with a stove which will be particularly welcome to passengers and staff alike in the winter.

  It is privately owned and work is being funded by the owner.

(d)    Ex-Southern Railway Brake Coach. RVR Number 5

This is one of two survivors of a third class six compartment corridor brake (BTK) coach built in 1931 with a special narrow body for use on the Hastings to London line. As such it would have been a very regular visitor to Robertsbridge throughout the 1930s, the 1940s and the 1950s. It was withdrawn by British Railways in 1960 and unfortunately gutted internally for use as a mobile office. The guards vacuum brake was also removed at this time, being replaced with an exterior wagon type hand brake for yard shunting.

In the short term, it is intended to replace a single compartment, to show what it would have looked like in the past, but to leave the rest of the compartment area as an open coach, with loose seating for passengers. The combined luggage and guards compartment will be returned to its previous function.

Work on the reconstruction of the compartment is underway and the interior panelling is being replaced. The vacuum brake will need overhaul and reconnection before the coach can be used on passenger trains.

The coach is privately owned and work is being funded by the owner.

(e)    BP Tank Wagon 529 (RVR Number 19)

Funding for up to £5,000 for the completion of restoration of the first of our ex-BP tank wagons has been secured thanks to the generousity of British Petroleum 

The original deadline was 2007, however BP have granted us an extension, considering the bottleneck of works we have encountered

                             (not our Tank, but to the standard we would like to achieve) 

We need a person or persons to join the small team taking on this restoration. Ideally they should be uncommitted on other projects as we cannot affors to slow the essential jobs involved with getting the railway ready for re-opening.

OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE IN THE FIRST INSTANCE TO DAVID FELTON PLEASE. OR VIA OUR CONTACT US PAGE