33202 ‘Dennis G. Robinson’ and, its 5 coach train, depart Bodium, for Tenterden, on a cloudy Sunday afternoon in October. A great day out at the Kent & East Sussex Railway. This class 33 belongs to the Mid-Norfolk Railway who had hired the loco to the K&ESR as the line, which runs through the rural Rother Valley, as they were short of a non-steam train to fill their 2022 schedule. The reason for a diesel loco was, this picturesque line runs through a very high risk area of bush fires during particularly hot, dry weather. Therefore to, reduce the risks to the countryside, 33202 was transported the 150 miles from Norfolk for the season. By coincidence, when new, some 60 years before, 33202 was first assigned to Hither Green depot in South East London then shortly afterwards, to St. Leonard's depot. While at St. Leonard's, it would have often worked between Tonbridge and Hastings via Robertsbridge, which was the junction for the Kent & East Sussex line. I was lucky enough to travel on the weekend before the loco was due to be returned to Norfolk.

Posted by Arboleas Junction at 2023-10-07 19:54:47 UTC