RF679 pulled out from the yard to the dolly-stop that we were using today, and loaded up for the 1100 service to Appledore and Rye.
SO43 also came out onto the stand for the 1110 to Biddenden, standing in for the M&D double-decker, whose driver had broken a limb the previous day.
RT3148 was also on the stop for the 1115 to Hawkhurst. I had thought that I would be going out as conductor on this, but Colin now had other plans for me. Arriving was M&D Reliance SC390.
The crossing gates closed and we heard the exhaust of another small steam engine coming up Tenterden Bank. It was the GWR Pannier Tank, 1638. It carefully pulled across the crossing into the station, and went to couple onto the Wealden Pullman set. A few minutes later it pulled out with the train of glorious brown and cream coaches, and headed off down the bank for Bodiam.
Reliance S6 had been waiting to cross. Once the train was gone and the gates opened it pulled out onto the stop for the 1130 to Woodchurch.
Now Blue Triangle's RT3062 arrived, and was backed into the station yard. The wedding party blinds were changed (for the Epping - Harlow 339!).
Soon the crossing gates closed again, this time for the departure of the little two-car diesel multiple unit. Although lacking the romance of steam, these little trains certainly give an unparallelled view of the line. Once the gates reopened GS2 came across to head westwards towards Bodiam.
But now it was time for me to go out on RT3062..
All photos by Ian Smith. Click on most of them for a larger picture.
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