Southern Through the Ages — Kent & East Sussex Railway

The Kent & East Sussex Railway, which runs between Tenterden, Northiam and Bodiam, stages Southern Through the Ages as a gala weekend. The operator describes it as a celebration of southern railway heritage that showcases the rich history and development of Southern Railway motive power, bringing together a varied fleet to operate an intensive timetable of passenger, freight and mixed train services along the line.

The operator also bills the weekend as a special occasion to experience the historic Terrier 'Knowle' in action before the locomotive is withdrawn from service pending a major overhaul. The operator names that Terrier, a Class 205 diesel-electric multiple unit and an Austerity 0-6-0ST among the participating locomotives, alongside further locomotives representing different eras of Southern Railway history.

The gala has its own ticketing: Gala Freedom tickets give unlimited travel on all services, and separate platform and photographer tickets give entry to the stations.

An intensive timetable of passenger, freight and mixed trains along the line, run with a varied fleet chosen to show the development of Southern Railway motive power. The operator publishes a separate timetable for each day. Gala Freedom tickets allow unlimited travel on all services, for one day or both.

The gala trains run on the Kent & East Sussex Railway from Tenterden Town station (Station Road, Tenterden) through Northiam to Bodiam. Gala Freedom tickets give unlimited travel on all services and are sold for one day or for both days; the operator advises buying in advance online for the best prices. Platform and photographer tickets, for one or both days, give entry to all stations. Saturday and Sunday timetables are linked from the operator's event page, and the list of participating locomotives is kept there too.