British Steel is delighted to have supplied new rail to The Rother Valley Railway, a heritage project to reconnect the missing rail link between Bodiam and Robertsbridge in East Sussex.
71 tonnes of 56e1 profile rail was supplied to site via a HIAB Crane, which was also utilised by the project to move some stock rails to site.
Darren Cole, UK Account Manager, Rail for British Steel said: “This supply is an excellent example of how we can work with smaller UK customers to provide a flexible and scalable solution to meet their needs.
“We are following this project with great interest and commend the volunteers for their hard work and dedication.”
The Rother Valley Railway is staffed and run by volunteers who have been working tirelessly to resurrect the connection of the Kent and East Sussex Railway to the Network Rail main line at Robertsbridge.
Rother Valley Railway Chairman Mike Hart said “We are incredibly grateful to British Steel for their generous support in supplying new rail for our heritage railway project. Their contribution marks a significant step forward in reconnecting Bodiam and Robertsbridge, helping us preserve and celebrate the rich railway history of East Sussex. This partnership exemplifies how collaboration between industry and charitable organisations can achieve meaningful, lasting impact. Together, we’re laying the foundations—quite literally—for a future where heritage and community go hand in hand.”
The 3.5 mile long section will provide an end on link with the Kent and East Sussex line at Bodiam enabling through running for a total of 14 miles.
The reconnection is set to bring great economic benefit to the local area providing public transport access to some popular tourist attractions such as the National Trust’s Bodiam Castle and Tenterden, the “Jewel of the Weald”.