James' Rail Services

James' Rail Services Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from James' Rail Services, The East Kent Railway, Station Road, Shepherdswell.

Welcome to James' Rail Services, here I will share updates on Railway Preservation activities I am involved with, as well as supporting Heritage Railways and fellow Preservation Groups.

4-SUB Unit 4732 will be on display including the recently cosmetically restored Car One.
08/06/2026

4-SUB Unit 4732 will be on display including the recently cosmetically restored Car One.

The Southern Electric Group's 1938 4-COR 3135 was pressed into service with 73130 on Bank-Holiday Monday due to the warm...
27/05/2026

The Southern Electric Group's 1938 4-COR 3135 was pressed into service with 73130 on Bank-Holiday Monday due to the warm weather affecting the GatEx set.

This Driver Motor Brake Standard Coach is a 1st Generation 3rd EMU built for the electrification of the London Waterloo to Portsmouth line and was the first Class of EMU to have a corridor connection at either end of the train.

They were also nicknamed "Nelson" due to the fact they served the Naval Town and because of there being only one cab window.

Hopefully will see it out again this Summer....

Breif return to Shepherdswell this afternoon to give a hand on refurbishing some window frames on CIG DTCL 76747 with 40...
20/05/2026

Breif return to Shepherdswell this afternoon to give a hand on refurbishing some window frames on CIG DTCL 76747 with 400 Series Preservation Group.

This one and 76762 are both coming along slowly but well.

Over the past two days, myself & 400 Series Preservation Group have been assisting our friend Josh Mears to move his Mk3...
22/04/2026

Over the past two days, myself & 400 Series Preservation Group have been assisting our friend Josh Mears to move his Mk3a TSO 12134, from Shepherdswell to their Garden down the road in Eythorne.

A mission like this is no easy task and required the combined expertise of The East Kent Railway, Railway Support Services Ltd, Southern Cranes and Eythorne Building Contractors Ltd.

The coach was loaded onto one of RSS' special lorries on Monday after a pre-move clean, and was lifted into place in stages yesterday.

We will be assisting in the renovation and conversion of this into living accommodation over the next year or so, so look out for further updates on here.

Also at the L&MMR is another member of the 400 Series Preservation Group fleet, ex-Southern Class 313 313201 (aka 313001...
08/04/2026

Also at the L&MMR is another member of the 400 Series Preservation Group fleet, ex-Southern Class 313 313201 (aka 313001 or "Big Blue").

James' Rail Services is pleased to be one of the financial backers for this unit, along with others.

Whilst waiting the second coach of the 466 yesterday we took the time to give it an internal clean and wipe down.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of being invited along with 400 Series Preservation Group & AP services, in attending the d...
08/04/2026

Yesterday I had the pleasure of being invited along with 400 Series Preservation Group & AP services, in attending the delivery of ex-Southeastern Class 466 466043.

The unit is owned by The East Kent Railway but in the care of 400-SPG and has been moved to the Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway - Cynheidre Heritage Project, due to shortage of available space at Shepherdswell.

The DTS was delivered mid-morning so was treated to a well-earned scrub down, the DMS wasn't delivered to late afternoon so will be done next time.

HAPPY EASTER TO YOU ALL!!! 🐰 🐣 🍫Today saw the first run of the 2026 season for 73130 with the EKR Gatwick Express set, s...
05/04/2026

HAPPY EASTER TO YOU ALL!!! 🐰 🐣 🍫

Today saw the first run of the 2026 season for 73130 with the EKR Gatwick Express set, so thought to join in for a couple of return trips to Eythorne and back.

Then after play, I assisted the Southern Electric Group in an "Fitness To Run" (FTR) Exam on 4COR 3135 ahead of its expected return to service, which all things well might not be too long. 🤞

*APRIL FOOLS 🤡 James' Rail Services is pleased to announce its first Railtour in partnership with 400 Series Preservatio...
01/04/2026

*APRIL FOOLS 🤡

James' Rail Services is pleased to announce its first Railtour in partnership with 400 Series Preservation Group.

We are taking 1881 back out onto the Mainline for the first time in nearly 20 years, from the East Kent Railway to London Waterloo including Lindford Street Flyover.

No seats available and whilst on the EKR you will need to push on the uphill climb out of Eythorne.

We would like to thank our sponsor Mr A. Prilfool for supporting this rare opportunity.

Return to Shepherdswell for some jobs as the EKR prepare to open for the start of the 2025.Some more things are to come ...
25/03/2026

Return to Shepherdswell for some jobs as the EKR prepare to open for the start of the 2025.

Some more things are to come in the next few weeks, so stay tuned.

Yesterday was a momentous day for 3rd Rail EMU Preservation and for our friends at The Southern Electric Traction Group ...
17/02/2026

Yesterday was a momentous day for 3rd Rail EMU Preservation and for our friends at The Southern Electric Traction Group C.I.C, with the announcement that former South Western Railway Class 455 5871 has officially entered preservation at Strawberry Hill. So a big well done to the SETG and their associates for achieving this.

Meanwhile down at Shepherdswell another former South West Trains employee was having its cab sliding cab window replaced and a bit of a tidy up internally.

It got me onto noticing that its interesting to see how many former South Western region units have been preserved, such as CEPs, CIGs, VEPs, 4TCs, IOW 483s, some Class 442 veichles and now a Class 455.

Amazing efforts by all who own theses.

Address

The East Kent Railway, Station Road
Shepherdswell
CT157PD

Telephone

+447514260665

Website

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