East Hill Funicular Overlooks the Fisherman’s Beach
East Hill Funicular
If you’re a railway enthusiast, then you could hardly do better than to pick Hastings as a base. Just in the town alone, there are four, not counting the ‘professional’ main line services, and it used to have a network of trams. The trams are long gone, but a miniature railway runs along the seafront from Rock-a-Nore to Marine Parade, there are two funicular railways (information on Wikipedia) carrying passengers to the tops of the West and East Hills, and there is another miniature railway in Alexandra Park. The people of Sussex and Kent seem keen on vintage railways too, because there are half a dozen or more within the counties.
The Hastings Beach Miniature Railway runs behind the fisherman’s beach, past the Jerwood Gallery and the Net Shops, and past several huts selling the day’s catch.
Hastings Beach Miniature Railway – Rock-a-Nore Station
Hastings Beach Miniature Railway Turntable
Hastings Beach Miniature Railway
Hastings Beach Miniature Railway has no website apparently, but there is a Wikipedia entry.
The Alexandra Park Miniature Railway runs in the attractive and spacious Alexandra Park, which is an easily missed attraction in Hastings.
Alexandra Park Miniature Railway
The Alexandra Park railway doesn’t seem to have a web page, but is on Facebook at Alexandra Park Miniature Railway
Further Afield
In Kent and East Sussex, the Kent and East Sussex Railway (KESR) runs between Tenterden and Bodiam, a distance of 11 miles. See ” And Yet More Steam Engines”
The Rother Valley Railway is hoping to run steam services out of Robertsbridge, to connect with the KESR at Bodiam.
Probably the most famous steam service is on the Bluebell Line, which runs standard-gauge steam trains from East Grinstead to Sheffield Park, about 11 miles. Probably best remembered by Brits of a certain age as featuring in the film ‘The Railway Children.’
Kent & East Sussex Railway Locomotive at Level Crossing Station
Not far away, the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway (RHDR) runs the 13½ miles from Hythe to Dungeness. The RHDR uses one-third-size locomotives and rolling stock. The RHDR, although primarily a tourist attraction nowadays, still runs regular scheduled public passenger carrying services, including schoolchildren on what must be one of the most unusual journeys to school in the UK.
Bizarrely, there is a pleasure line in Japan, the Shuzenji Romney Railway, modelling the RHDR, complete with Romney Station and ‘British Village.’
Nijinosato ‘British Village’ Japan
Nijinosato Replica of Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, Japan
Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway Engine. The one in England!
Other lines nearby include the Lavender Line at Isfield, near Uckfield (1 mile), the Spa Valley Railway, Eridge to Tunbridge Wells (5½ miles) and the Great Bush Railway, Hadlow Down, East Sussex (¼ mile), which also hosts traction engine rallies and a museum.
Much further afield, the East Kent Railway (EKR ) runs lovingly restored heritage trains between the small leafy village of Shepherdswell and the idyllic village of Eythorne, near Dover, a distance of two miles. The EKR also run several miniature and model railways.
Most of the above also operate museums, restored or recreated period buildings and static displays of railway stock.