A landmark agreement has been signed between South Eastern Railway and the East Kent Railway, paving the way for the donation of redundant railway materials and equipment from the mainline network to the volunteer-led heritage railway.
The Memorandum of Understanding, signed at a ceremony at Shepherds Well station on Friday 5 September, marks the first agreement of its kind in Kent. It comes as the East Kent Railway prepares to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the railway.
Under the agreement, SER will donate rails, sleepers, and other surplus items to help EKR maintain and expand its infrastructure. In return, EKR will offer access to its facilities, which are occasionally used by SER for training and off-network operations.
The collaboration also aims to re-establish commercial freight services on the East Kent Railway for the first time since 1987, contributing to the Government’s rail freight growth targets and supporting a modal shift in East Kent.
With local backing, the agreement will seek third-party funding to reconnect EKR to the national network, using SER’s engineering expertise to make the vision a reality.
Chief Operating Officer for the South Eastern Railway, David Davidson, said:
“Wherever we can, we will work with heritage railways across our network to forge a new partnership so that materials that would otherwise be recycled elsewhere to be re-used can find a new purpose.
“In turn, the East Kent Railway also has some excellent facilities which, because they are separate from the mainline network, provide the perfect opportunity for our colleagues to contribute to the local community.
“Working together through this memorandum of understanding provides a clear framework and we are excited about the possibilities it brings, not only to the South Eastern and East Kent Railways, but to wider society and the potential to support economic growth in East Kent. And, what better time to do it than in 2025, the bicentenary of the railway.”
Matthew Plews, East Kent Railway Trust’s General Manager, also commented:
"The East Kent Railway is delighted to enter into this Memorandum of Understanding with our friends at the South Eastern Railway. There is a great deal of scope for cooperation between the national rail network and heritage railways. This agreement provides a framework for a deeper collaboration which will benefit us both, both in the short term and into the future."
Marketing opportunities will be explored at Southeastern stations and online, and discussions are underway about the adoption of Shepherds Well station, which links the mainline with the heritage railway.
This partnership reflects the evolving landscape of British rail, as track and train operations reunite under the Government’s Great British Railways initiative, and demonstrates how heritage railways can play a vital role in the future of transport and community engagement.
Image credit: Network Rail
