The line was originally part of the Kent Coalfield railway network, built to serve the collieries at Tilmanstone and Snowdown.
Construction of the original railway line began in 1911 but was never fully completed for its intended purpose due to shifting industrial requirements.
The railway operates on a trackbed that once featured complex infrastructure designed to handle high volumes of coal wagons.
The line passes through a section of the former Snowdown Colliery site, which was the deepest coal mine in Kent.
The trust utilizes volunteers to maintain a fleet of historic locomotives and carriages, including a variety of shunter engines.
The East Kent Railway is a heritage line operating on a section of the former Kent Coalfield railway network in Shepherdswell. It preserves the legacy of the region's colliery industry, which once saw heavy coal traffic transport from local pits to the national rail network. The track runs through the rolling countryside of the North Downs, connecting Shepherdswell to Eythorne. Visitors can experience restored vintage rolling stock and diesel or steam locomotives depending on the scheduled service. The trust operates primarily as a volunteer-run organization dedicated to restoring track, signaling systems, and station infrastructure. It serves as a living museum for post-industrial railway history in East Kent.
From the end of the platform at Shepherdswell as the engine couples to the carriages.
Check the official website calendar before visiting, as train operations are seasonal and depend on volunteer availability.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear suitable for walking on gravel station platforms and potentially uneven tracksides.
Bring a windbreaker or layers, as the open-air carriages can be breezy even on sunny days.
Do not attempt to walk along the tracks outside of designated public areas, as these are restricted zones for safety and operational reasons.
Operates primarily on weekends and bank holidays from spring through early autumn; check website for specific mid-week event dates.
Remain behind the yellow safety lines at all times and follow all instructions from train guards and station staff.
