The Rother Valley Railway has been established to realise the potential environmental, economic, tourism and other benefits of the reconstruction of the Kent & East Sussex Railway between Robertsbridge and Bodiam and to facilitate the reinstatement and operation of the heritage railway between the mainline railway at Robertsbridge along the beautiful Rother Valley to Salehurst, Junction Road, Bodiam and to connect there with the already restored and operational section of the Railway to Tenterden.

 (Mission Statement of the RVR Trust)

The Reconnection

Our goal is that once again passengers will be able to travel by train from the main line at Robertsbridge to visit the beautiful and established tourist attractions at Bodiam and the ancient town of Tenterden for visitors to enjoy and pass through the Rother valley in either direction facilitating the economy. To do so requires that we acquire and relay some further 3.5 miles of the old Bodiam and Robertsbridge, part of which has already been achieved.

Being located as close as we are to the seaside resorts of the South coast our effort is completely complementary to bringing tourists into the area without congesting the Rother Valley with cars. Bodiam Castle owned by the National Trust is a short and attractive walk from Bodiam station across the River Rother, as is the leafy avenued High Street of Tenterden from the station of the same name. Hastings, Bexhill amongst other are easily reachable from the south coast via the Hastings Tonbridge Line as is Tunbridge Wells and points to London in the North.

Although our goal is very clear, our way to get there is fraught with all the usual barriers which beset and challenge Heritage Railways. We are seeing continual progress as can be seen in our Updates area.

The Mission Statement of the trust continues into short and long term objectives, in that;

Short Term

1. We Reconstruct the Railway Westbound from Bodiam
2. Establish a  Visitor Centre at Robertsbridge to enhance and act as a focus for the project.
3. Provide a  short train ride at Robertsbridge over the track as it is re-laid.

Long Term

1. Raise the necessary capital
2. Negotiate and acquire the land necessary to do so.
3. Reconstruct the rest of the Railway.

Work has already commenced and is well underway with the short term  objectives.

In meeting the Mission Statement and Objectives we are undertaking stock and engine renovations.