David Gambles writes:

I visited Kirkby Stephen East Station to see what progress has been made with track laying and pointwork.

Originally, the East Station had island platforms with waiting rooms, booking hall and office etc with separate Darlington and Penrith/Tebay platforms both with overall roofs. The site also boasted an engine shed, carriage shed, turntable and extensive sidings, all of these were eventually dismantled but the station buildings are largely intact and have been re-opened to visitors.

Mike Thompson has kindly provided the attached notes summarising the history of the line and progress achieved so far. These may be found below the slideshow.

The photos show the line up of diesels, which are apparently all in runnable condition and also Peckett 2084 which is receiving attention within the confines of the station building. Also stored under cover within the station are two Gresley vehicles, one of which is a buffet car that opens at weekends and during special events, serving refreshments.

The station is usually open on Saturdays and Sundays and visitors are always given a friendly welcome.

Kirkby Stephen East Heritage Centre
by Mike Thompson

The South Durham & Lancashire Union Railway (SDLUR) opened in August 1861 and ran from Spring Gardens Junction, near West Auckland, via Barnard Castle and Stainmore Summit to Kirkby Stephen East (KSE) and Tebay on the West Coast Main Line (WCML). At KSE, the Eden Valley Railway constructed a branch via Appleby East to Clifton Junction just south of Penrith, also on the WCML. The engineer responsible for both routes was (Sir) Thomas Bouch whose later bridge constructed over the Tay tragically collapsed with the loss of a number of lives.

The railway closed as a through route on the 20th January 1962 and KSE was converted into a bobbin factory. This business ceased in the early 1990’s, the building became derelict and the site was subject to considerable fly-tipping etc.

In 1997, KSE was purchased by Stainmore Properties Ltd with a view to its use as the eastern terminus of a preserved railway from Appleby East (approx. 12 miles). In 2000, Stainmore Railway Company Ltd (SRC) was formed to begin the long task of restoration. Since that time, a considerable amount of work has been undertaken, not least the removal of some 7,500 tonnes of contaminated waste and the careful dismantling of a large wooden structure (erected by the bobbin factory) which had been lagged with asbestos. This enabled the building / site to be formally opened to the general public at Easter 2009.

August 2011 sees the 150th anniversary of the opening of KSE and it is hoped to mark this event with a 3 day festival and the commencement of a regular tourist passenger train service from the station. Further details can be obtained from the website (www.kirkbystepheneast.co.uk) which graphically portrays the work undertaken to date. Details of how to support the project either as a volunteer, or by buying shares / a newsletter subscription etc can be obtained from the Company Secretary: suelizjones@hotmail.com